Hello
A walk around the dam area at Pitsford Res this morning didn't provide much in the way of different birds. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was still present and there was at least one Spotted Flycatcher by the entrance to the car park reached from Pitsford village. Swifts remain in evidence, this species presumably also breeding later than in most years (often the majority of the birds have departed by the end of July).
A Redstart was present in a hedge between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton, close to the southern outskirts of the Blueberry Farm complex. Other birds within the associated loose flock included many Whitethroats and Spotted Flycatcher. We couldn't see the Whinchat from yesterday evening.
Regards
Eleanor & Neil
Saturday 3 August 2013
Friday 2 August 2013
Whinchat
Hi
This evening was spent wandering the fields and tracks between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton in pleasant conditions. A moulting adult Whinchat was the pick of the birds, spending its time in a wheat field adjacent to the most southerly field of the Blueberry Farm complex (and track that leads from Beck Dairy at Cottesbrooke to Hanging Houghton). A distant Red Kite and the way it was behaving adds to the speculation that a pair may be breeding nearby this year.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
This evening was spent wandering the fields and tracks between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton in pleasant conditions. A moulting adult Whinchat was the pick of the birds, spending its time in a wheat field adjacent to the most southerly field of the Blueberry Farm complex (and track that leads from Beck Dairy at Cottesbrooke to Hanging Houghton). A distant Red Kite and the way it was behaving adds to the speculation that a pair may be breeding nearby this year.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Bird Free Zone!
Hello
Well it's been hard graft finding any birds of note locally the last couple of days!
On Wednesday 31st July there was an adult Yellow-legged Gull off the dam at Pitsford Res and a Red Kite was noted at Sedgebrook Hall. A lengthy walk around Harlestone Heath in the evening failed to locate any birds of note.
Yesterday (1st August) there was a Grey Wagtail in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and a Little Egret was noted in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res.
This morning (2nd August) and a walk around Harrington Airfield produced little more than the usual birds which included a pair of Grey Partridge. An early afternoon scan from the causeway at Pitsford Res was enough to locate a Redshank and 2 Little Egrets.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Well it's been hard graft finding any birds of note locally the last couple of days!
On Wednesday 31st July there was an adult Yellow-legged Gull off the dam at Pitsford Res and a Red Kite was noted at Sedgebrook Hall. A lengthy walk around Harlestone Heath in the evening failed to locate any birds of note.
Yesterday (1st August) there was a Grey Wagtail in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and a Little Egret was noted in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res.
This morning (2nd August) and a walk around Harrington Airfield produced little more than the usual birds which included a pair of Grey Partridge. An early afternoon scan from the causeway at Pitsford Res was enough to locate a Redshank and 2 Little Egrets.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Tuesday 30 July 2013
Birding pm
Hello
The pleasant weather of this afternoon incited a few raptors over the garden, the best being a couple of Hobbies. A couple of Nuthatches were the only other birds of note in the village.
A quick walk around Welford Res this evening was pleasant but quiet, although there was a family party of Spotted Flycatchers nearby.
Scanning from the dam at Pitsford Res this evening provided views of 4 Yellow-legged Gulls and 3 Common Sandpipers.
Regards
Neil M
The pleasant weather of this afternoon incited a few raptors over the garden, the best being a couple of Hobbies. A couple of Nuthatches were the only other birds of note in the village.
A quick walk around Welford Res this evening was pleasant but quiet, although there was a family party of Spotted Flycatchers nearby.
Scanning from the dam at Pitsford Res this evening provided views of 4 Yellow-legged Gulls and 3 Common Sandpipers.
Regards
Neil M
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| Great Crested Grebe Pitsford Res |
Peering through the heat haze
Hello
A visit to the Summer Leys reserve at Earls Barton GP this morning provided views of a Wood Sandpiper, a Greenshank, a Dunlin, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Snipe and a Little Egret.
A scan from the Old Scaldwell Road at Pitsford Res early afternoon was difficult with a strong heat haze. Birds noted included an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Goldeneye and a Common Sandpiper.
Regards
Neil M
A visit to the Summer Leys reserve at Earls Barton GP this morning provided views of a Wood Sandpiper, a Greenshank, a Dunlin, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Snipe and a Little Egret.
A scan from the Old Scaldwell Road at Pitsford Res early afternoon was difficult with a strong heat haze. Birds noted included an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Goldeneye and a Common Sandpiper.
Regards
Neil M
Monday 29 July 2013
Summer in to Autumn
Hello
This morning an Osprey appeared again in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and one or two Hobby were about too.
This afternoon a visit to the west end of the Nene Barrage/Clifford Hill GP provided good views of the Great White Egret (present for its third day), and was still present at 5pm. Other birds included a Little Egret, a Wigeon and 2 Common Sandpipers.
This evening a Hobby and 2 Grey Partridges were noted at Harrington Airfield. An evening visit to Hollowell Res provided little that was new due to an increase in the water level. Birds seen included a Kingfisher, a Wigeon, a Snipe and a Common Sandpiper and now four broods of Tufted Ducks. Ravensthorpe Res attracted a Kingfisher and the Mandarin Duck was still present. A single brood of Tufted Duck was present here too.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
This morning an Osprey appeared again in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and one or two Hobby were about too.
This afternoon a visit to the west end of the Nene Barrage/Clifford Hill GP provided good views of the Great White Egret (present for its third day), and was still present at 5pm. Other birds included a Little Egret, a Wigeon and 2 Common Sandpipers.
This evening a Hobby and 2 Grey Partridges were noted at Harrington Airfield. An evening visit to Hollowell Res provided little that was new due to an increase in the water level. Birds seen included a Kingfisher, a Wigeon, a Snipe and a Common Sandpiper and now four broods of Tufted Ducks. Ravensthorpe Res attracted a Kingfisher and the Mandarin Duck was still present. A single brood of Tufted Duck was present here too.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
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| Adult and juvenile Great Crested Grebe Ravensthorpe Reservoir |
Sunday 28 July 2013
Visible migration
Hello
Although autumn migration has been going on for some weeks now, today was noteworthy inasmuch that quite a few species were visually easy to see on migration. Gulls were drifting south over the county all day, in the main Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed, with smaller numbers of other species. Other birds on the move today included Swift, hirundines with Sand Martins in particular, and small numbers of wagtails. At Pitsford Res this morning, birds south of the causeway included the Bar-headed Goose, a Little Egret and a Dunlin. The first returning adult Great Black-backed Gull was by the dam this evening, and there were two Grey Wagtails at Hanging Houghton.
Many adult birds, particularly the larger birds, will now be in the process or just starting to moult their flight feathers. Many of the gulls overhead are clearly moulting primaries and secondaries, the stark gaps in the trailing edges of the wings often denote this. This process often leaves ducks and geese temporarily flightless as they often tend to drop their major flight feathers all in one go. However, most birds sequentially moult these larger feathers so that they can continue flying and even migrate whilst undergoing the process, and frequently both wings mirror each other to stay on an even keel! Just a few birds actually undergo primary and secondary wing moult whilst still feeding young (Sparrowhawk is probably the best local example). Many juvenile birds at this time of the year undergo a body moult, where they begin to replace their first 'nest' feathers with more substantial attire. In the main though, most juveniles will retain their flight feathers. It is these processes that sometimes helps us to age the birds we are looking at.
Regards
Eleanor & Neil
Although autumn migration has been going on for some weeks now, today was noteworthy inasmuch that quite a few species were visually easy to see on migration. Gulls were drifting south over the county all day, in the main Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed, with smaller numbers of other species. Other birds on the move today included Swift, hirundines with Sand Martins in particular, and small numbers of wagtails. At Pitsford Res this morning, birds south of the causeway included the Bar-headed Goose, a Little Egret and a Dunlin. The first returning adult Great Black-backed Gull was by the dam this evening, and there were two Grey Wagtails at Hanging Houghton.
Many adult birds, particularly the larger birds, will now be in the process or just starting to moult their flight feathers. Many of the gulls overhead are clearly moulting primaries and secondaries, the stark gaps in the trailing edges of the wings often denote this. This process often leaves ducks and geese temporarily flightless as they often tend to drop their major flight feathers all in one go. However, most birds sequentially moult these larger feathers so that they can continue flying and even migrate whilst undergoing the process, and frequently both wings mirror each other to stay on an even keel! Just a few birds actually undergo primary and secondary wing moult whilst still feeding young (Sparrowhawk is probably the best local example). Many juvenile birds at this time of the year undergo a body moult, where they begin to replace their first 'nest' feathers with more substantial attire. In the main though, most juveniles will retain their flight feathers. It is these processes that sometimes helps us to age the birds we are looking at.
Regards
Eleanor & Neil
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| Lesser Black-backed Gull Pitsford Reservoir |
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| If I hide behind this board at Pitsford you won't be able to see me! |
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| Greylag Goose in flight Pitsford Reservoir |
Garden butterflies
Hello
Sometimes there is no need to go any further than the garden for a stunning splash of summer colour...!
Neil M
Sometimes there is no need to go any further than the garden for a stunning splash of summer colour...!
Neil M
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| Small Tortoiseshell butterfly |
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| Peacock butterfly |
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| Comma butterfly |
Saturday 27 July 2013
Birds before the rain...
Hello
A walk around the Blueberry Farm complex near Maidwell this morning provided views of Barn Owl and Hobby, and a Grasshopper Warbler was singing from an oil seed rape field between Brixworth and Hanging Houghton.
A ringing session at Stortons GP this morning was busy with 95 birds caught and processed, 79 of which were new birds. Highlights were 4 juvenile Cetti's Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 36 Reed Warblers, Linnet and 4 Reed Buntings.
A ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res this morning was much quieter with only about 40 birds being caught. However it did include three juvenile Kingfishers and a few each of Garden Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. Two Mallard, a Coal Tit and a Marsh Tit added a bit of variety.
A Hobby was seen and two parties of Crossbills flew south-west over the reservoir during the morning, the first flock was only heard and probably numbered 4-5 birds and the second flock contained at least 5 birds.
A walk around Harrington Airfield this afternoon before the change in the weather failed to locate anything specifically of interest.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
A walk around the Blueberry Farm complex near Maidwell this morning provided views of Barn Owl and Hobby, and a Grasshopper Warbler was singing from an oil seed rape field between Brixworth and Hanging Houghton.
A ringing session at Stortons GP this morning was busy with 95 birds caught and processed, 79 of which were new birds. Highlights were 4 juvenile Cetti's Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 36 Reed Warblers, Linnet and 4 Reed Buntings.
A ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res this morning was much quieter with only about 40 birds being caught. However it did include three juvenile Kingfishers and a few each of Garden Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. Two Mallard, a Coal Tit and a Marsh Tit added a bit of variety.
A Hobby was seen and two parties of Crossbills flew south-west over the reservoir during the morning, the first flock was only heard and probably numbered 4-5 birds and the second flock contained at least 5 birds.
A walk around Harrington Airfield this afternoon before the change in the weather failed to locate anything specifically of interest.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Friday 26 July 2013
Pitsford gull roost
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| Male Brimstone butterfly |
A visit to Pitsford Res this evening confirmed the presence of a very small gull roost off the yacht club containing five species. This included three Yellow-legged Gulls and three summering Great Black-backed Gulls. There were six Common Sandpipers flying around and two Green Sandpipers were heard calling but not seen as they flew over. A Bar-headed Goose with the Canadas is probably the same individual that has been an occasional visitor for a few years now.
A Hobby was the only bird of note at Harrington Airfield this evening.
Regards
E & N
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| Juvenile Whitethroat |
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| Bar-headed Goose |
Thursday 25 July 2013
Frustrating observations!
Hello
Some computer problems are affecting our ability to post blogs currently but hopefully we will fix this soon.
Yesterday (Wednesday) and a Barn Owl was hunting at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell in the morning.
A visit to Harrington Airfield in the afternoon was eventful with a Red Fox vixen out in the open with her two well-grown cubs. And I didn't have my camera! A further frustration was witnessing an unidentified and interesting dark raptor moving north over the airfield. Another one to add to the list of ones that got away!
This evening, and there were one or two Barn Owl(s) again hunting at Blueberry Farm.
Regards
Eleanor
Some computer problems are affecting our ability to post blogs currently but hopefully we will fix this soon.
Yesterday (Wednesday) and a Barn Owl was hunting at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell in the morning.
A visit to Harrington Airfield in the afternoon was eventful with a Red Fox vixen out in the open with her two well-grown cubs. And I didn't have my camera! A further frustration was witnessing an unidentified and interesting dark raptor moving north over the airfield. Another one to add to the list of ones that got away!
This evening, and there were one or two Barn Owl(s) again hunting at Blueberry Farm.
Regards
Eleanor
Tuesday 23 July 2013
Summer Leys N.R.
Hello
A short scanning session from the The Pioneer Hide at the Summer Leys Nature Reserve (Earls Barton) this evening provided views of 5 Little Ringed Plovers (2 adults), 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, a juvenile Shelduck and five broods of Tufted Duck with one brood of 14 ducklings!
Regards
E & N
A short scanning session from the The Pioneer Hide at the Summer Leys Nature Reserve (Earls Barton) this evening provided views of 5 Little Ringed Plovers (2 adults), 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, a juvenile Shelduck and five broods of Tufted Duck with one brood of 14 ducklings!
Regards
E & N
Humid Highs
Hello
This morning a family of Spotted Flycatchers was visible at Lamport Hall, and Harrington Airfield provided views of a pair of Grey Partridge with three young, a Hobby and a Red Kite.
Hollowell Res this afternoon hosted 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Wigeon, 20 Common Terns, three broods of Tufted Duck and a Grasshopper Warbler. Dragonflies included Emperor, Brown Hawker, Black-tailed Skimmer and both Ruddy and Common Darter. An eclipse drake Mandarin Duck was again at Ravensthorpe Res and a Hobby was successfully hunting dragonflies around the causeway.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
This morning a family of Spotted Flycatchers was visible at Lamport Hall, and Harrington Airfield provided views of a pair of Grey Partridge with three young, a Hobby and a Red Kite.
Hollowell Res this afternoon hosted 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Wigeon, 20 Common Terns, three broods of Tufted Duck and a Grasshopper Warbler. Dragonflies included Emperor, Brown Hawker, Black-tailed Skimmer and both Ruddy and Common Darter. An eclipse drake Mandarin Duck was again at Ravensthorpe Res and a Hobby was successfully hunting dragonflies around the causeway.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Monday 22 July 2013
Sultry birds
Hello
Yesterday evening (Sunday) provided a Kingfisher at Welford Res and a Little Egret at adjacent Sulby Res, with families of Great Crested Grebes on both waters.
A walk around Harlestone Heath this morning (Monday) produced small numbers of very mobile Crossbills. They were only ever seen in flight and there may have been just up to half-a-dozen birds involved. A family of Spotted Flycatchers were also present near the A428 entrance.
A Hobby and the family of Little Owls were again present on the outskirts of Hanging Houghton this evening and four Crossbills flew south west over the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res at 8.10pm.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Yesterday evening (Sunday) provided a Kingfisher at Welford Res and a Little Egret at adjacent Sulby Res, with families of Great Crested Grebes on both waters.
A walk around Harlestone Heath this morning (Monday) produced small numbers of very mobile Crossbills. They were only ever seen in flight and there may have been just up to half-a-dozen birds involved. A family of Spotted Flycatchers were also present near the A428 entrance.
A Hobby and the family of Little Owls were again present on the outskirts of Hanging Houghton this evening and four Crossbills flew south west over the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res at 8.10pm.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Sunday 21 July 2013
Raptors and ringing
Hi
This morning there was a ringing session held at Stortons GP under the leadership of John Woollett. Reasonable numbers of birds were dominated with catches of both adult and juvenile Reed and Sedge Warblers. However, there were also plenty of juvenile Whitethroats about plus a couple of Blackcap and Willow Warbler. Other birds trapped and ringed included Linnet, Song Thrush and a male Sparrowhawk that was already in heavy wing moult. Birds flying about included a couple of Kingfishers, a Grey Wagtail and 2 Little Egrets. Water Rails and Cetti's Warblers could be heard calling from the reeds.
At or just before 8.30am this morning, an Osprey carrying a very large fish laboured over the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton. He/she finally landed in a tree to try and subdue the wriggly monster which was eventually accomplished! Other birds in the immediate vicinity included a Red Kite and a Hobby, with a pair of Grey Partridge near Beck Dairy, Cottesbrooke. Another Red Kite was at Walgrave, where there have been regular sightings all summer.
At lunch-time today, a Common Buzzard was found in a bewildered state in the carriageway of the A508 Brixworth bypass, presumably having been clipped by a vehicle. It was picked up and briefly rehabilitated before being released at Pitsford Reservoir where it flew off strongly.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
This morning there was a ringing session held at Stortons GP under the leadership of John Woollett. Reasonable numbers of birds were dominated with catches of both adult and juvenile Reed and Sedge Warblers. However, there were also plenty of juvenile Whitethroats about plus a couple of Blackcap and Willow Warbler. Other birds trapped and ringed included Linnet, Song Thrush and a male Sparrowhawk that was already in heavy wing moult. Birds flying about included a couple of Kingfishers, a Grey Wagtail and 2 Little Egrets. Water Rails and Cetti's Warblers could be heard calling from the reeds.
At or just before 8.30am this morning, an Osprey carrying a very large fish laboured over the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton. He/she finally landed in a tree to try and subdue the wriggly monster which was eventually accomplished! Other birds in the immediate vicinity included a Red Kite and a Hobby, with a pair of Grey Partridge near Beck Dairy, Cottesbrooke. Another Red Kite was at Walgrave, where there have been regular sightings all summer.
At lunch-time today, a Common Buzzard was found in a bewildered state in the carriageway of the A508 Brixworth bypass, presumably having been clipped by a vehicle. It was picked up and briefly rehabilitated before being released at Pitsford Reservoir where it flew off strongly.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
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| Sparrowhawk |
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| Common Buzzard |
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