Hello
Ringing sessions at Stortons Gravel Pits this year have been consistently good for both numbers and variety of birds in this aquatic and marginal habitat. This morning the ringers on-site managed to catch 107 birds prior to the late morning downpour which halted proceedings. Perhaps one of the more interesting birds was a Sedge Warbler bearing a French ring - hopefully we will receive news soon of its recorded movements (although there is frequently a delay in obtaining the information from foreign databases).
Subtle but positive habitat changes at Stortons GP over the years now ensure there is plenty of phragmites reed growing both in banks and scattered about, and scrub is regenerating around the edges. Certainly there is now a very healthy Reed Warbler population both breeding and moving through these old gravel pits, with smaller numbers of Sedge Warbler and several pairs of Cetti's Warblers present too. This small reed-bed habitat mirrors similar large projects around the country, providing stepping stones for avian wildlife.
Regards
Neil M
Iceland - 4th - 8th March 2022
- Home
- Robin's Wildlife Images
- Images from John Tilly
- Bird Ringing
- Dave Jackson Images 6th Jan
- Useful Links
- Trip Reports
- Birdwatching Site Maps
- Biography
- Presentations
- Eco (nest) Boxes
- Iceland - 4th - 8th March 2022
- Iceland - 8th - 12th March 2022
- Poland 18th - 25th March 2022
- Poland 26th March - 2nd April 2022
- Provence in Spring April 2022
- Undiscovered Iceland May 2022
- Spring in Iceland 27th May - 4th June 2022
- Speyside Festival May 2022
- Norway June 2022
- Scotland's Mammals and Highlights of the Highlands 10th - 17th Sept 2022
- Scotland's Mammals and Highlights of the Highlands 2nd - 9th Sept 2022
- Isles of Scilly in Autumn Oct 2022
- Islay and Jura Oct 2022
- Autumn on Mull 2022
- Islay's Winter Wildfowl Nov 2022
- Wallcreepers and the Camargue Dec 2022.
- The Algarve at Christmas 2022
- Cambodia - January/February 2023.
- Poland March 2023
- Provence in Spring April 2023
- Camargue in Spring 1st - 5th May 2023
- Camargue in Spring 5th - 9th May 2023
- Undiscovered Iceland May 2023.
- Iceland in Spring 2023
- Norway - Whales & Seabirds of Norway's Lofoten Islands 2023
- Hebridean Cruise July 2023
- Romania - Carpathian Mountains and Danube Delta Sept 2023.
- Islay Jura October 2023
- Autumn on Mull Oct 2023.
- Islay's Winter Wildfowl Nov 2023
- Wallcreeper & the Camargue Nov/Dec 2023
- Algarve at Christmas 2023
- Gambia in Style Jan 2024
- The Best of Cambodia Jan/Feb 2024.
- Provence in Spring 2024
- Camargue in Spring 2024
Sunday 4 August 2013
Pitsford
Hello
Birds north of the causeway at Pitsford Res this morning included a Yellow-legged Gull, 1-2 Little Egret, a Kingfisher and a family party of Spotted Flycatcher. The Bar-headed Goose was just to the south of the causeway by the main car park.
Two female Pochard sporting green bill shields which are a result of being trapped, ringed and marked abroad were also north of the causeway. A previously-marked female had been seen in France and Spain as well as Pitsford and other sites in the UK. These shields are fixed to provide an opportunity for such birds to be recognised and reported whilst on their travels.
Regards
Neil M
Birds north of the causeway at Pitsford Res this morning included a Yellow-legged Gull, 1-2 Little Egret, a Kingfisher and a family party of Spotted Flycatcher. The Bar-headed Goose was just to the south of the causeway by the main car park.
Two female Pochard sporting green bill shields which are a result of being trapped, ringed and marked abroad were also north of the causeway. A previously-marked female had been seen in France and Spain as well as Pitsford and other sites in the UK. These shields are fixed to provide an opportunity for such birds to be recognised and reported whilst on their travels.
Regards
Neil M
Saturday 3 August 2013
Rustic birding in the sunshine
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
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
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
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
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
Lesser Black-backed Gull Pitsford Reservoir |
If I hide behind this board at Pitsford you won't be able to see me! |
Greylag Goose in flight Pitsford Reservoir |
Garden butterflies
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
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
Juvenile Whitethroat |
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)