Hi
Limited opportunity for birding today in slightly warmer conditions but still with a cool easterly wind.
A walk along the Brampton Valley Way near Arthingworth produced a Raven and two quiet Chiffchaffs. A single Brambling was at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at Pitsford this afternoon. Dwindling numbers of finches at Kelmarsh Hall included a couple of Lesser Redpolls and Bramblings and Scotland Wood hosted a couple of Siskins and the usual Marsh Tits and Nuthatches.
Regards
Eleanor & Neil
Tuesday 9 April 2013
Monday 8 April 2013
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker finally!
Hi
A run around Harlestone Heath this morning produced lots of Siskins throughout and a couple of Bramblings. A circular walk around Harlestone Lake provided views of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and a Red Kite and a couple of Siskins and redpoll sp. A Red Kite was seen near Lamport.
At Pitsford Res today there was a Barn Owl and a Green Sandpiper in the vicinity of the dam and a Woodcock, a singing Brambling and a couple of Siskins were in the Walgrave Bay.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
A run around Harlestone Heath this morning produced lots of Siskins throughout and a couple of Bramblings. A circular walk around Harlestone Lake provided views of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and a Red Kite and a couple of Siskins and redpoll sp. A Red Kite was seen near Lamport.
At Pitsford Res today there was a Barn Owl and a Green Sandpiper in the vicinity of the dam and a Woodcock, a singing Brambling and a couple of Siskins were in the Walgrave Bay.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Sunday 7 April 2013
A ringing week-end
Hi
With the temporary improvement of the weather this week-end, many of the county ringers endeavoured to try and catch and ring some of the migrant birds before they move off and some of the residents before they start breeding. The difficult weather conditions for much of this year has frequently compromised ringing operations so some effort was required to catch the last of the winter finches and other wanderers. Pitsford Res was the venue for yesterday with ringing at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station and in the Walgrave Bay. Tree Sparrows, Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings made up much of the catch at the main feed station, with common tits and other woodland birds being processed in the Walgrave Bay.
This morning and we changed venue to Kelmarsh Hall which continues to attract small numbers of transient finches and woodland birds. Six Siskins and three Lesser Redpolls were caught and released, but the three or so Bramblings remained out of reach in the tall trees (more intent on singing their wheezy songs than feeding)! A Woodcock narrowly missed the nets. A short ringing session in our small garden at Hanging Houghton this afternoon was sufficient to catch, amongst others, four Reed Buntings and two Lesser Redpolls.
This morning there were still two female Bramblings at Harrington Airfield, but despite a shift in the wind direction, no obvious arrival of traditional summer migrants was evident. There should be reasonable numbers of Chiffchaffs by now, but they remain very few and far between.
A quick spin around the woodlands on the Kelmarsh Estate to replenish the feeders this afternoon was mostly uneventful, but both a Woodcock and a Roe Deer sprung from the undergrowth at Scotland Wood.
Regards
Neil M
With the temporary improvement of the weather this week-end, many of the county ringers endeavoured to try and catch and ring some of the migrant birds before they move off and some of the residents before they start breeding. The difficult weather conditions for much of this year has frequently compromised ringing operations so some effort was required to catch the last of the winter finches and other wanderers. Pitsford Res was the venue for yesterday with ringing at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station and in the Walgrave Bay. Tree Sparrows, Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings made up much of the catch at the main feed station, with common tits and other woodland birds being processed in the Walgrave Bay.
This morning and we changed venue to Kelmarsh Hall which continues to attract small numbers of transient finches and woodland birds. Six Siskins and three Lesser Redpolls were caught and released, but the three or so Bramblings remained out of reach in the tall trees (more intent on singing their wheezy songs than feeding)! A Woodcock narrowly missed the nets. A short ringing session in our small garden at Hanging Houghton this afternoon was sufficient to catch, amongst others, four Reed Buntings and two Lesser Redpolls.
This morning there were still two female Bramblings at Harrington Airfield, but despite a shift in the wind direction, no obvious arrival of traditional summer migrants was evident. There should be reasonable numbers of Chiffchaffs by now, but they remain very few and far between.
A quick spin around the woodlands on the Kelmarsh Estate to replenish the feeders this afternoon was mostly uneventful, but both a Woodcock and a Roe Deer sprung from the undergrowth at Scotland Wood.
Regards
Neil M
Saturday 6 April 2013
Spring sunshine at last!
Hi
A cold start but some fabulous sunshine today.
Birds in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res this morning included a Raven, a singing Brambling, c6 Siskins, 2 Lesser Redpolls, a Kingfisher, and a Willow Tit.
A further singing Brambling was at Kelmarsh Hall this afternoon together with several Siskins and a couple of Lesser Redpolls.
Four each of Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer graced the garden this afternoon.
And another day with no passerine summer migrants, but with a southerly air-stream tomorrow watch this space!
Regards
Neil M
A cold start but some fabulous sunshine today.
Birds in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res this morning included a Raven, a singing Brambling, c6 Siskins, 2 Lesser Redpolls, a Kingfisher, and a Willow Tit.
A further singing Brambling was at Kelmarsh Hall this afternoon together with several Siskins and a couple of Lesser Redpolls.
Four each of Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer graced the garden this afternoon.
And another day with no passerine summer migrants, but with a southerly air-stream tomorrow watch this space!
Regards
Neil M
Friday 5 April 2013
Hard graft migrants
Hi
Despite plenty of time out and about today, the still powerful and cold wind made finding migrants hard work. Harrington Airfield didn't yield much, a Red Kite and 2 female Bramblings being about the best.
A quick wander at Hollowell Res was enough to locate 2 Jack Snipe and 2 Grey Wagtails. A hunting Barn Owl was present at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this afternoon. Birds in the garden here at Hanging Houghton included a Brambling and 4 Reed Buntings.
At Pitsford Res a female Peregrine was hunting over the causeway just before 10am and this evening a Knot was on the shoreline between the Pintail Bay and Yacht Bay briefly with a Green Sandpiper on the floodwater below the dam.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Despite plenty of time out and about today, the still powerful and cold wind made finding migrants hard work. Harrington Airfield didn't yield much, a Red Kite and 2 female Bramblings being about the best.
A quick wander at Hollowell Res was enough to locate 2 Jack Snipe and 2 Grey Wagtails. A hunting Barn Owl was present at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this afternoon. Birds in the garden here at Hanging Houghton included a Brambling and 4 Reed Buntings.
At Pitsford Res a female Peregrine was hunting over the causeway just before 10am and this evening a Knot was on the shoreline between the Pintail Bay and Yacht Bay briefly with a Green Sandpiper on the floodwater below the dam.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
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| Woodpigeon Thornton Park, N'pton |
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| Great Crested Grebe Ravensthorpe Reservoir |
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| Unidentified big bird over Hollowell Reservoir! |
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| Common Gulls Pitsford Reservoir |
Thursday 4 April 2013
Birds of the Easterly blast!
Hi
A visit to Harrington Airfield this morning provided some birds despite a very strong and cold easterly wind. The best were 2 male Bramblings, 200+ Fieldfares, a Yellow Wagtail, a Wheatear, a Raven, a Red Kite and 2 Grey Partridges.
A wander around the Blueberry Farm/Brampton Valley area produced 4 Grey Partridges, an adult female Peregrine, 2-3 Red Kites and a Wheatear.
Birds persisting in the garden here at Hanging Houghton included a male Brambling and 2 Lesser Redpolls, with a Raven and Red Kite overhead.
Regards
Eleanor
A visit to Harrington Airfield this morning provided some birds despite a very strong and cold easterly wind. The best were 2 male Bramblings, 200+ Fieldfares, a Yellow Wagtail, a Wheatear, a Raven, a Red Kite and 2 Grey Partridges.
A wander around the Blueberry Farm/Brampton Valley area produced 4 Grey Partridges, an adult female Peregrine, 2-3 Red Kites and a Wheatear.
Birds persisting in the garden here at Hanging Houghton included a male Brambling and 2 Lesser Redpolls, with a Raven and Red Kite overhead.
Regards
Eleanor
Tuesday 2 April 2013
Another raptor day...
Hi
A walk at Harrington Airfield this morning was very pleasant in strong sunshine but the birds were not exceptional with a Raven, a Red Kite and 3 Grey Partridges being about the best.
Between 2 and 4 Red Kites were around Hanging Houghton with a couple of Reed Buntings and Lesser Redpolls in the garden.
This afternoon an adult Peregrine was seen at Corby.
Birds visible from the dam at Pitsford Res included an Osprey over from the south at about 2.30pm, and there was a Green Sandpiper and drake Garganey on the floodwater below the dam until flushed by a male Peregrine. They hadn't returned by early evening, 2 Red Kites being the only additional birds of note seen.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
A walk at Harrington Airfield this morning was very pleasant in strong sunshine but the birds were not exceptional with a Raven, a Red Kite and 3 Grey Partridges being about the best.
Between 2 and 4 Red Kites were around Hanging Houghton with a couple of Reed Buntings and Lesser Redpolls in the garden.
This afternoon an adult Peregrine was seen at Corby.
Birds visible from the dam at Pitsford Res included an Osprey over from the south at about 2.30pm, and there was a Green Sandpiper and drake Garganey on the floodwater below the dam until flushed by a male Peregrine. They hadn't returned by early evening, 2 Red Kites being the only additional birds of note seen.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
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| Well it is that time of the year! |
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| First Year male Blackbird. Note the brownish wings and dull eye-ring typical of this age |
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| Adult male Blackbird. Note the glossy plumage including all flight feathers, bright eye-ring and bright bill |
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| Carrion Crow in evening light |
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| Common Gulls also in evening sunshine |
Monday 1 April 2013
Pitsford CBC
Hi
Each year David Arden and myself complete a series of Common Bird Census surveys, conducted whilst walking around the nature reserve at Pitsford Res. The first one is normally towards the latter half of March which is useful for detecting the more obscure resident species. We have delayed the process this year due to the very cold conditions and minimal singing of song birds. However today I gave it a go in cold grey conditions. There was some bird song for the first couple of hours but it soon petered out and most of the records of Song Thrushes, Blackbirds etc were non-singing birds occupied in finding food for themselves. The first Canada Goose nest was located and both Cormorant and Grey Heron nestlings were heard.
Five to seven Smew were still present (five including two drakes in the Holcot Bay and two redheads in the Scaldwell Bay), as were two Oystercatchers, three Woodcock, about a dozen Siskins, 2 redpoll sp and a Willow Tit.
Regards
Neil M
Each year David Arden and myself complete a series of Common Bird Census surveys, conducted whilst walking around the nature reserve at Pitsford Res. The first one is normally towards the latter half of March which is useful for detecting the more obscure resident species. We have delayed the process this year due to the very cold conditions and minimal singing of song birds. However today I gave it a go in cold grey conditions. There was some bird song for the first couple of hours but it soon petered out and most of the records of Song Thrushes, Blackbirds etc were non-singing birds occupied in finding food for themselves. The first Canada Goose nest was located and both Cormorant and Grey Heron nestlings were heard.
Five to seven Smew were still present (five including two drakes in the Holcot Bay and two redheads in the Scaldwell Bay), as were two Oystercatchers, three Woodcock, about a dozen Siskins, 2 redpoll sp and a Willow Tit.
Regards
Neil M
Sunday 31 March 2013
Easter Sunday birds
Hi
A visit to a Spratton garden this morning was interesting with a variety of species on offer which included at least 12 Lesser Redpolls, a couple of Siskins, a Brambling, a Red Kite and a singing Blackcap.
Birds in the garden here at Hanging Houghton again included 5 Reed Buntings, a Brambling and 2-3 Lesser Redpolls.
Two Shelduck were in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res early this afternoon.
At Harrington Airfield this afternoon there were about 12 Bramblings on the food just inside the main entrance, 2 male Wheatears and an Osprey flew towards Kettering at about 3pm.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
A visit to a Spratton garden this morning was interesting with a variety of species on offer which included at least 12 Lesser Redpolls, a couple of Siskins, a Brambling, a Red Kite and a singing Blackcap.
Birds in the garden here at Hanging Houghton again included 5 Reed Buntings, a Brambling and 2-3 Lesser Redpolls.
Two Shelduck were in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res early this afternoon.
At Harrington Airfield this afternoon there were about 12 Bramblings on the food just inside the main entrance, 2 male Wheatears and an Osprey flew towards Kettering at about 3pm.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Saturday 30 March 2013
A cold but definitely a Spring day!
Hi
Very cold first thing this morning and then an interesting day developed with a combination of snow flurries followed by some quite powerful periods of sunshine.
A male Brambling was at Harrington Airfield this morning, and birds in and around the garden at Hanging Houghton included 3 Reed Buntings and a couple of Siskins.
A meander down to Christies Copse at Pitsford Res provided a good half-dozen Siskins and both Marsh and Willow Tit coming to the feeders. The Cormorant colony nest count continues to go up with an apparent 30 occupied nests. Decent-sized flocks of migrants today included c500 Fieldfare at Wellingborough Grange and a flock of 53 Meadow Pipits in fields on the west side of Pitsford Reservoir.
At Blueberry Farm, Maidwell a mobile Short-eared Owl was seen hunting over a succession of fields and a Peregrine was chasing Fieldfares in spectacular fashion.
Regards
Neil M
Very cold first thing this morning and then an interesting day developed with a combination of snow flurries followed by some quite powerful periods of sunshine.
A male Brambling was at Harrington Airfield this morning, and birds in and around the garden at Hanging Houghton included 3 Reed Buntings and a couple of Siskins.
A meander down to Christies Copse at Pitsford Res provided a good half-dozen Siskins and both Marsh and Willow Tit coming to the feeders. The Cormorant colony nest count continues to go up with an apparent 30 occupied nests. Decent-sized flocks of migrants today included c500 Fieldfare at Wellingborough Grange and a flock of 53 Meadow Pipits in fields on the west side of Pitsford Reservoir.
At Blueberry Farm, Maidwell a mobile Short-eared Owl was seen hunting over a succession of fields and a Peregrine was chasing Fieldfares in spectacular fashion.
Regards
Neil M
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| Robin |
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| Siskin (female) |
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| Peanuts might be 'old hat' but the tits at Pitsford still love them! |
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| Common Buzzard |
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| Siskins (female to the left, male to the right) |
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| Short-eared Owl |
Friday 29 March 2013
Good Friday birds
Hi
A cold Harrington Airfield first thing this morning produced just a single male Brambling.
Birds at Kelmarsh Hall today included 1-2 Raven, at least 2 Bramblings, c20 Siskins, at least 2 Lesser Redpolls and a Willow Tit.
Regards
Neil M
A cold Harrington Airfield first thing this morning produced just a single male Brambling.
Birds at Kelmarsh Hall today included 1-2 Raven, at least 2 Bramblings, c20 Siskins, at least 2 Lesser Redpolls and a Willow Tit.
Regards
Neil M
Thursday 28 March 2013
The migrants will not be denied!
Hi
This morning there were 3 Chiffchaffs along the Brampton Valley Way between Hanging Houghton and Brixworth, with 2 Red Kites and 4+ Siskins around HH village.
A walk around Sywell CP provided a surprise with two vocal fly-over Whimbrel. Other birds included 2-4 Kingfishers, 100+ Siskins, c10 redpoll sp, a Red Kite and a Wheatear in an adjacent field.
Regards
Eleanor
This morning there were 3 Chiffchaffs along the Brampton Valley Way between Hanging Houghton and Brixworth, with 2 Red Kites and 4+ Siskins around HH village.
A walk around Sywell CP provided a surprise with two vocal fly-over Whimbrel. Other birds included 2-4 Kingfishers, 100+ Siskins, c10 redpoll sp, a Red Kite and a Wheatear in an adjacent field.
Regards
Eleanor
Wednesday 27 March 2013
Birds of the cold wind
Hi
Birds at Harrington Airfield this morning included a day-hunting Barn Owl, a Red Kite, 6 Bramblings, a very unhappy-looking wind-blasted Wheatear and 10 fly-over Golden Plovers. There were several Siskins present at Kelmarsh Hall.
This evening another daylight-hunting Barn Owl was on the west side of the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res.
Regards
Eleanor
Birds at Harrington Airfield this morning included a day-hunting Barn Owl, a Red Kite, 6 Bramblings, a very unhappy-looking wind-blasted Wheatear and 10 fly-over Golden Plovers. There were several Siskins present at Kelmarsh Hall.
This evening another daylight-hunting Barn Owl was on the west side of the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res.
Regards
Eleanor
Tuesday 26 March 2013
Ditchford WeBS Count
Hi
Much of today was taken up completing a very late Wetland Bird Survey at Ditchford GP. The cold wind remains but for at least some of the day the air temperature rose above freezing and again there was something of a thaw.
Birds at Ditchford included a juvenile Glaucous Gull west of Ditchford Lane between 2.30pm and 3.35pm when it flew east (different to the bird seen in February). Waders were represented with a Curlew, 2 Oystercatchers, 8 Snipe, a Dunlin and a Ringed Plover. Six Chiffchaffs included a couple of 'fluffed up' birds that were clearly not happy with the very cool conditions. Only five Cetti's Warblers were located but for a change they were showy. The drake Scaup was again on pits west of Ditchford Lane (quite mobile with the Tufteds) and other birds included 5 Kingfishers, 4 Goosanders, a Grey Wagtail and a couple of redpoll sp. The Grey Heron colony seems small this year but a pair of Cormorant are breeding on-site. An Otter provided close but brief views.
At Pitsford Res this evening a Barn Owl was hunting Scaldwell Meadow and a pod of six Smew (two drakes) were in the Scaldwell Bay near to The Point. The occupied Cormorant nest count has now climbed to 25.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Much of today was taken up completing a very late Wetland Bird Survey at Ditchford GP. The cold wind remains but for at least some of the day the air temperature rose above freezing and again there was something of a thaw.
Birds at Ditchford included a juvenile Glaucous Gull west of Ditchford Lane between 2.30pm and 3.35pm when it flew east (different to the bird seen in February). Waders were represented with a Curlew, 2 Oystercatchers, 8 Snipe, a Dunlin and a Ringed Plover. Six Chiffchaffs included a couple of 'fluffed up' birds that were clearly not happy with the very cool conditions. Only five Cetti's Warblers were located but for a change they were showy. The drake Scaup was again on pits west of Ditchford Lane (quite mobile with the Tufteds) and other birds included 5 Kingfishers, 4 Goosanders, a Grey Wagtail and a couple of redpoll sp. The Grey Heron colony seems small this year but a pair of Cormorant are breeding on-site. An Otter provided close but brief views.
At Pitsford Res this evening a Barn Owl was hunting Scaldwell Meadow and a pod of six Smew (two drakes) were in the Scaldwell Bay near to The Point. The occupied Cormorant nest count has now climbed to 25.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
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| Muntjac |
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| Glaucous Gull |
Monday 25 March 2013
A little sunshine...
Hi
Something of a partial thaw today in reasonably warm sunshine, but the wind strength has increased and it is freezing again now.
A short but busy ringing session was completed at Sunderland Wood today, most of the birds being common tits, but 2 new Nuthatches and 2 new Great Spotted Woodpeckers were most welcome. Other birds noted in and around this ash-dominated wood on the Kelmarsh Estate included a Siskin and a Raven.
Two Woodcock and a Siskin were at Scotland Wood this afternoon and Kelmarsh Hall continued to attract 'winter finches'.
The best birds in the garden at Hanging Houghton included a Tree Sparrow, a Brambling and several Fieldfares and the two Mistle Thrushes again, plus small numbers of Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers.
Regards
Neil M
Something of a partial thaw today in reasonably warm sunshine, but the wind strength has increased and it is freezing again now.
A short but busy ringing session was completed at Sunderland Wood today, most of the birds being common tits, but 2 new Nuthatches and 2 new Great Spotted Woodpeckers were most welcome. Other birds noted in and around this ash-dominated wood on the Kelmarsh Estate included a Siskin and a Raven.
Two Woodcock and a Siskin were at Scotland Wood this afternoon and Kelmarsh Hall continued to attract 'winter finches'.
The best birds in the garden at Hanging Houghton included a Tree Sparrow, a Brambling and several Fieldfares and the two Mistle Thrushes again, plus small numbers of Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers.
Regards
Neil M
Sunday 24 March 2013
Dilemma!
Hi
I turned down an opportunity of heading out to the Norfolk Brecklands today, despite being excited about going to see the wildlife around the River Thet and Lakenheath. With the severe weather at dawn and drifting snow in the strong easterly wind a pang of conscience couldn't be suppressed. With Eleanor already committed, I knew that some of the wild bird feeding stations would require replenishing today so I opted to stay local. The drifting snow provided some impressive 4' drifts on some of the minor roads so a few 'u' turns and extra miles were required!
Several Bramblings and quite a host of Siskins and Lesser Redpolls were near to the feeders at Kelmarsh Hall, and it took less that 10 minutes for 35 Blackbirds to gather on the food at Harrington Airfield. A bit of a hike was required to reach Christies Copse at Pitsford Res with a couple of buckets of food, and I was greeted by a good dozen or so Siskins twanging and fizzing in the nearby trees. Large numbers of tits immediately began to extract sunflower seeds, pausing only to provide a bit of space to Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
A day-hunting Barn Owl and a Red Kite were on the outskirts of Scaldwell village, the Barn Owl presumably being unable to hunt at night due to the wintery conditions.
There were plenty of birds at the main feeding station at Pitsford Res, dominated by Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers. A Little Ringed Plover flew in calling at 10.45am - I'm not sure I have ever seen one in the snow before! A Kingfisher was seen later in the day off the yacht club.
The garden here at Hanging Houghton hosted much the same birds as yesterday, both days seeing the return of apple-loving Fieldfares and today a couple of heavy-duty Mistle Thrushes.
Regards
Neil M
I turned down an opportunity of heading out to the Norfolk Brecklands today, despite being excited about going to see the wildlife around the River Thet and Lakenheath. With the severe weather at dawn and drifting snow in the strong easterly wind a pang of conscience couldn't be suppressed. With Eleanor already committed, I knew that some of the wild bird feeding stations would require replenishing today so I opted to stay local. The drifting snow provided some impressive 4' drifts on some of the minor roads so a few 'u' turns and extra miles were required!
Several Bramblings and quite a host of Siskins and Lesser Redpolls were near to the feeders at Kelmarsh Hall, and it took less that 10 minutes for 35 Blackbirds to gather on the food at Harrington Airfield. A bit of a hike was required to reach Christies Copse at Pitsford Res with a couple of buckets of food, and I was greeted by a good dozen or so Siskins twanging and fizzing in the nearby trees. Large numbers of tits immediately began to extract sunflower seeds, pausing only to provide a bit of space to Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
A day-hunting Barn Owl and a Red Kite were on the outskirts of Scaldwell village, the Barn Owl presumably being unable to hunt at night due to the wintery conditions.
There were plenty of birds at the main feeding station at Pitsford Res, dominated by Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers. A Little Ringed Plover flew in calling at 10.45am - I'm not sure I have ever seen one in the snow before! A Kingfisher was seen later in the day off the yacht club.
The garden here at Hanging Houghton hosted much the same birds as yesterday, both days seeing the return of apple-loving Fieldfares and today a couple of heavy-duty Mistle Thrushes.
Regards
Neil M
Saturday 23 March 2013
Spring is currently on hold!
Hi
With the on-going severe winter weather locally, today was spent feeding birds at a variety of locations. A windswept and very cold Harrington Airfield was full of Woodpigeons and corvids desperately trying to find food in the snow. After scraping away the top layer of snow/ice and revealing some of yesterday's food, a variety of passerines flocked around me at the usual feeding spot, with even more arriving as the fresh food was dispensed.
Sunderland Wood was like a scene from Narnia with an inch of snow covering even the lightest of branches and twigs. Occasional loud snaps in the wood indicated that some of the branches couldn't always take the strain. A Woodcock flushed up from the crystallised undergrowth and vocal Nuthatches seemed to celebrate the arrival of some more food.
Similar conditions at Scotland Wood ensured I had escorting Robins and a couple of Pheasants while topping up the feeders, and two Woodcock flushed up from the base of the same bush.
The birds here at Hanging Houghton were equally food-crazed and more interesting species included 7 Stock Doves feeding with over 50 Woodpigeons crammed in to our little garden, together with at least 7 Yellowhammers, 5 Reed Buntings, a Tree Sparrow, a Brambling, a couple of Lesser Redpoll and Siskin and a new Pied Wagtail.
A walk in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res this afternoon didn't provide any birds of interest.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
With the on-going severe winter weather locally, today was spent feeding birds at a variety of locations. A windswept and very cold Harrington Airfield was full of Woodpigeons and corvids desperately trying to find food in the snow. After scraping away the top layer of snow/ice and revealing some of yesterday's food, a variety of passerines flocked around me at the usual feeding spot, with even more arriving as the fresh food was dispensed.
Sunderland Wood was like a scene from Narnia with an inch of snow covering even the lightest of branches and twigs. Occasional loud snaps in the wood indicated that some of the branches couldn't always take the strain. A Woodcock flushed up from the crystallised undergrowth and vocal Nuthatches seemed to celebrate the arrival of some more food.
Similar conditions at Scotland Wood ensured I had escorting Robins and a couple of Pheasants while topping up the feeders, and two Woodcock flushed up from the base of the same bush.
The birds here at Hanging Houghton were equally food-crazed and more interesting species included 7 Stock Doves feeding with over 50 Woodpigeons crammed in to our little garden, together with at least 7 Yellowhammers, 5 Reed Buntings, a Tree Sparrow, a Brambling, a couple of Lesser Redpoll and Siskin and a new Pied Wagtail.
A walk in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res this afternoon didn't provide any birds of interest.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Friday 22 March 2013
Winter continues!
Hi
Well despite being out for much of the day, we really struggled to find anything today in very cold grey conditions.
Four Red Kites in and around Hanging Houghton today is probably as many we have ever seen here - it would be great if they remained in to the breeding season. A male Brambling with it's wonderful rasping song defied the conditions at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at Pitsford Res, and several Siskins remained around the feeders at Kelmarsh Hall this morning. Four Reed Buntings remain in the garden and Siskins were around the village in small numbers.
Regards
Eleanor & Neil
Well despite being out for much of the day, we really struggled to find anything today in very cold grey conditions.
Four Red Kites in and around Hanging Houghton today is probably as many we have ever seen here - it would be great if they remained in to the breeding season. A male Brambling with it's wonderful rasping song defied the conditions at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at Pitsford Res, and several Siskins remained around the feeders at Kelmarsh Hall this morning. Four Reed Buntings remain in the garden and Siskins were around the village in small numbers.
Regards
Eleanor & Neil
Thursday 21 March 2013
Pitsford birds
Hi
A ringing session at Pitsford Res yesterday afternoon and this morning was completed at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station with Dave Francis presiding. Some 62 birds were captured and new birds included 9 Tree Sparrows, 9 Goldfinches, 7 Yellowhammers, 7 Chaffinches, 3 Reed Buntings, a Brambling, a Mallard and a Kestrel.
Other birds noted at Pitsford today included an Osprey around the feed station and Scaldwell Bay at about 2pm, the Great White Egret was in the flooded field at the back of the Holcot Bay just before this. A male Wheatear and 3 Green Sandpipers were on a flooded field below the dam and still present at 3pm.
A dozen Bramblings were back at Harrington Airfield this morning, and a pair of Grey Partridge were still present. Sadly we lost one of our Reed Buntings to predation in the garden today (scattered feathers was the only evidence).
Regards
Eleanor
A ringing session at Pitsford Res yesterday afternoon and this morning was completed at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station with Dave Francis presiding. Some 62 birds were captured and new birds included 9 Tree Sparrows, 9 Goldfinches, 7 Yellowhammers, 7 Chaffinches, 3 Reed Buntings, a Brambling, a Mallard and a Kestrel.
Other birds noted at Pitsford today included an Osprey around the feed station and Scaldwell Bay at about 2pm, the Great White Egret was in the flooded field at the back of the Holcot Bay just before this. A male Wheatear and 3 Green Sandpipers were on a flooded field below the dam and still present at 3pm.
A dozen Bramblings were back at Harrington Airfield this morning, and a pair of Grey Partridge were still present. Sadly we lost one of our Reed Buntings to predation in the garden today (scattered feathers was the only evidence).
Regards
Eleanor
Wednesday 20 March 2013
Harrington Merlin
Hi
I didn't see much today, but the immature male Merlin was still present at Harrington Airfield this afternoon. A Red Kite and a pair of Grey Partridge were present just outside Hanging Houghton village and a couple of Reed Buntings fed in our garden.
Regards
Eleanor
I didn't see much today, but the immature male Merlin was still present at Harrington Airfield this afternoon. A Red Kite and a pair of Grey Partridge were present just outside Hanging Houghton village and a couple of Reed Buntings fed in our garden.
Regards
Eleanor
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