Hello
A breezy but pleasant morning provided 3 Whinchats at the southern end of the Blueberry Farm complex near Maidwell plus two Hobbies (one of which appeared to be carrying a Swift). Not too far away, there were two Grey Wagtails at Brixworth Sewer Works.
At about 11am this morning a Turnstone was flying around Pitsford Res in the vicinity of the yacht club, and an adult Yellow-legged Gull was present.
Regards
Neil M
Iceland - 4th - 8th March 2022
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Friday 9 August 2013
Thursday 8 August 2013
Warm weather birds
This morning there were 2 Whinchats and a Grasshopper Warbler in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and a Barn Owl and a Hobby at Blueberry Farm.
At Harrington Airfield this afternoon a juvenile Marsh Harrier was present at 4.30pm - other birds included a Redstart, 2 Whinchats, a Hobby and a Turtle Dove.
At Pitsford Res this morning, Dave Francis completed another CES ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay, catching some 57 birds. Typical birds included 8 Reed Warblers, 6 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Garden Warblers and 2 Whitethroats. A very untypical catch in a mist net was a juvenile Grey Heron, and thankfully both bird and Dave remain unscathed!
This afternoon birds of note visible from the causeway at Pitsford were restricted to at least one Yellow-legged Gull and a female Pochard wearing a bill shield.
Regards
E & N
At Harrington Airfield this afternoon a juvenile Marsh Harrier was present at 4.30pm - other birds included a Redstart, 2 Whinchats, a Hobby and a Turtle Dove.
At Pitsford Res this morning, Dave Francis completed another CES ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay, catching some 57 birds. Typical birds included 8 Reed Warblers, 6 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Garden Warblers and 2 Whitethroats. A very untypical catch in a mist net was a juvenile Grey Heron, and thankfully both bird and Dave remain unscathed!
This afternoon birds of note visible from the causeway at Pitsford were restricted to at least one Yellow-legged Gull and a female Pochard wearing a bill shield.
Regards
E & N
Wednesday 7 August 2013
NN6 Birding
Hello
Birds at Harrington Airfield this morning included a Hobby and 2 Crossbills flying over in a northerly-westerly direction.
Scanning from the causeway at Pitsford Res this morning provided views of an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Little Egret, a Kingfisher and a Wigeon. A very late brood of Great Tits was discovered in a nest box by The Lodge. Six Yellow-legged Gulls were in the gull roost off the dam this evening.
Birds near to Hanging Houghton this afternoon included the Little Owl family still plus an adult Grey Partridge with two young.
Blueberry Farm produced a Hobby, a Red Kite, a Barn Owl, a Grasshopper Warbler and at least four Whinchats.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Birds at Harrington Airfield this morning included a Hobby and 2 Crossbills flying over in a northerly-westerly direction.
Scanning from the causeway at Pitsford Res this morning provided views of an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Little Egret, a Kingfisher and a Wigeon. A very late brood of Great Tits was discovered in a nest box by The Lodge. Six Yellow-legged Gulls were in the gull roost off the dam this evening.
Birds near to Hanging Houghton this afternoon included the Little Owl family still plus an adult Grey Partridge with two young.
Blueberry Farm produced a Hobby, a Red Kite, a Barn Owl, a Grasshopper Warbler and at least four Whinchats.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Tuesday 6 August 2013
Blueberry
Hello
A beautiful evening at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell with still conditions and golden autumnal sunshine was reward enough, but two hunting Barn Owls, a Grasshopper Warbler and a small 'fall' of Willow Warblers made it rather special this evening.
A few images below from the last few days locally...
Regards
Neil M
A beautiful evening at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell with still conditions and golden autumnal sunshine was reward enough, but two hunting Barn Owls, a Grasshopper Warbler and a small 'fall' of Willow Warblers made it rather special this evening.
A few images below from the last few days locally...
Regards
Neil M
RAF Hercules over Harrington Airfield |
Redshank with yellow/orange legs Pitsford Res causeway |
Female Pochard at Pitsford Res with bill 'shield' |
Juvenile Lapwing Pitsford Res |
Hobby Draughton |
Ringing at Pitsford
Hello
Dave Francis completed a ringing session this morning at Pitsford Res, utilising the area around the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station. He had a productive time with 65 birds caught which included 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Willow Warbler, 15 juvenile Tree Sparrows, 11 Chaffinches, 4 Greenfinches and 3 Goldfinches.
Two Little Egrets and a Green Sandpiper were north of the causeway at Pitsford this afternoon, and this morning there were two Crossbills around the garden centre by the A428 entrance of Harlestone Heath.
Regards
E & N
Dave Francis completed a ringing session this morning at Pitsford Res, utilising the area around the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station. He had a productive time with 65 birds caught which included 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Willow Warbler, 15 juvenile Tree Sparrows, 11 Chaffinches, 4 Greenfinches and 3 Goldfinches.
Two Little Egrets and a Green Sandpiper were north of the causeway at Pitsford this afternoon, and this morning there were two Crossbills around the garden centre by the A428 entrance of Harlestone Heath.
Regards
E & N
Monday 5 August 2013
Red Sky at night...
Hello
This evening there was an amazing red/orange sky to the west which hopefully means that tomorrow will be a day of stunning weather after today's deluge.
The star bird today was a juvenile Marsh Harrier at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell at 5.15pm. It was rigorously escorted out of the area by a pair of Hobby and left towards Haselbech. A Red Kite also put in an appearance.
Regards
Eleanor
This evening there was an amazing red/orange sky to the west which hopefully means that tomorrow will be a day of stunning weather after today's deluge.
The star bird today was a juvenile Marsh Harrier at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell at 5.15pm. It was rigorously escorted out of the area by a pair of Hobby and left towards Haselbech. A Red Kite also put in an appearance.
Regards
Eleanor
Sunday 4 August 2013
Ringing at Stortons GP
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
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
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 |
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