Hello
Not much opportunity for birding today. This evening there were 2 Ravens and 4 Whinchats at the southern end of the Blueberry Farm complex.
Also this evening, a scan from the yacht club at Pitsford Res provided a Little Egret, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, 2 Greenshanks and 7 Ringed Plovers.
A ringing session at Stortons GP on Sunday morning provided 2 Blackcaps, 2 Reed Warblers, a Chiffchaff and 2 superb Kingfishers!
Regards
E & N
Tuesday 24 September 2013
Monday 23 September 2013
Murky Monday
Hello
In somewhat dull and murky conditions today, visits to some of our regular venues provided some birds of interest.
At Harrington Airfield this morning there was a male Marsh Harrier hunting the top fields plus a Red Kite, a Turtle Dove, 2 Whinchats and a Wheatear. Two Ravens and a Red Kite were noted at Beck Dairy, Cottesbrooke.
At Blueberry Farm this afternoon, birds included a Red Kite, a Hobby and 4+ Whinchats.
Scanning north of the causeway at Pitsford Res this afternoon was sufficient to see the Ruddy Shelduck (present at 6pm until spooked by a low-flying balloon), 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 5 Little Egrets, a Redshank, a Snipe and a Kingfisher. There were as many as 10 Chiffchaffs in the bushes by the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station.
Regards
E & N
In somewhat dull and murky conditions today, visits to some of our regular venues provided some birds of interest.
At Harrington Airfield this morning there was a male Marsh Harrier hunting the top fields plus a Red Kite, a Turtle Dove, 2 Whinchats and a Wheatear. Two Ravens and a Red Kite were noted at Beck Dairy, Cottesbrooke.
At Blueberry Farm this afternoon, birds included a Red Kite, a Hobby and 4+ Whinchats.
Scanning north of the causeway at Pitsford Res this afternoon was sufficient to see the Ruddy Shelduck (present at 6pm until spooked by a low-flying balloon), 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 5 Little Egrets, a Redshank, a Snipe and a Kingfisher. There were as many as 10 Chiffchaffs in the bushes by the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station.
Regards
E & N
Sunday 22 September 2013
Week-end update
Hello
On Saturday evening birds in the Blueberry Farm area included a Short-eared Owl, a female Peregrine and 6 Whinchats.
This morning (Sunday) and birds located at Harrington Airfield included a Turtle Dove, a Wheatear and 2 Whitethroats. There was a heavy diurnal movement of Skylark, Meadow Pipit and hirundines and good numbers of Yellowhammer on-site.
Birds noted north of the causeway at Pitsford Res this morning included 5 Little Egrets, a Raven and 2 Hobbies and there was also a heavy passage of hirundines here too. A ringing session based at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station caused over fifty birds to be caught and processed, the highlights being a Spotted Flycatcher, a Meadow Pipit, Tree Sparrows, a Reed Warbler and 6 Chiffchaffs.
Looking up this week-end and it was impossible not to notice an increase in flying machines, apparently in preparation for a flying event based at Sywell next week-end.
A couple of Siskins were present at Hanging Houghton and the buddleia was alive with butterflies including Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell and others. A scour of the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and up to Blueberry Farm (Maidwell) this afternoon produced some good birds including a juvenile Marsh Harrier which flew towards Haselbech at 4pm, a male Merlin, 2 Hobbies, 2 Red Kites, 4+ Whinchats and 2 Whitethroats.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
On Saturday evening birds in the Blueberry Farm area included a Short-eared Owl, a female Peregrine and 6 Whinchats.
This morning (Sunday) and birds located at Harrington Airfield included a Turtle Dove, a Wheatear and 2 Whitethroats. There was a heavy diurnal movement of Skylark, Meadow Pipit and hirundines and good numbers of Yellowhammer on-site.
Birds noted north of the causeway at Pitsford Res this morning included 5 Little Egrets, a Raven and 2 Hobbies and there was also a heavy passage of hirundines here too. A ringing session based at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station caused over fifty birds to be caught and processed, the highlights being a Spotted Flycatcher, a Meadow Pipit, Tree Sparrows, a Reed Warbler and 6 Chiffchaffs.
Looking up this week-end and it was impossible not to notice an increase in flying machines, apparently in preparation for a flying event based at Sywell next week-end.
A couple of Siskins were present at Hanging Houghton and the buddleia was alive with butterflies including Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell and others. A scour of the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and up to Blueberry Farm (Maidwell) this afternoon produced some good birds including a juvenile Marsh Harrier which flew towards Haselbech at 4pm, a male Merlin, 2 Hobbies, 2 Red Kites, 4+ Whinchats and 2 Whitethroats.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Comma
Spotted Flycatcher
Treecreeper
Saturday 21 September 2013
Pitsford WeBS
Hello
This morning was taken up completing the monthly WeBs count at Pitsford Res. Despite significant disturbance there were good numbers of wildfowl present particularly Wigeon, Gadwall and Shoveler. Highlights included ca11 Little Egrets, a Ruddy Shelduck, a Bar-headed Goose, a Garganey, 3 Goldeneye, 3 Pintail, a Ruff, 2 Greenshank, 4 Ringed Plovers, a Common Sandpiper and a Grey Wagtail. Overhead migrants included plenty of Meadow Pipits, a few Siskins and a flock of 14 Ringed Plovers flying south at 12.30pm. Late hatch butterflies including Small Copper were attracted to flowering mint in the margins.
Regards
E & N
This morning was taken up completing the monthly WeBs count at Pitsford Res. Despite significant disturbance there were good numbers of wildfowl present particularly Wigeon, Gadwall and Shoveler. Highlights included ca11 Little Egrets, a Ruddy Shelduck, a Bar-headed Goose, a Garganey, 3 Goldeneye, 3 Pintail, a Ruff, 2 Greenshank, 4 Ringed Plovers, a Common Sandpiper and a Grey Wagtail. Overhead migrants included plenty of Meadow Pipits, a few Siskins and a flock of 14 Ringed Plovers flying south at 12.30pm. Late hatch butterflies including Small Copper were attracted to flowering mint in the margins.
Regards
E & N
Friday 20 September 2013
Ditchford WeBS
Hello
Today we visited Ditchford GP to complete the monthly WeBS count. In pleasant broken sunshine there were plenty of insects on the wing including plenty of common butterflies and dragonflies. However birds were a little scarce and our observations were modest with the more interesting birds being 1-2 Hobby, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, a Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 6 or so Kingfishers, 4 Cetti's Warblers and a Grey Wagtail. Small numbers of summer migrants included a few Yellow Wagtail, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Waterfowl numbers were unremarkable but included a hundred Wigeon.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Today we visited Ditchford GP to complete the monthly WeBS count. In pleasant broken sunshine there were plenty of insects on the wing including plenty of common butterflies and dragonflies. However birds were a little scarce and our observations were modest with the more interesting birds being 1-2 Hobby, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, a Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 6 or so Kingfishers, 4 Cetti's Warblers and a Grey Wagtail. Small numbers of summer migrants included a few Yellow Wagtail, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Waterfowl numbers were unremarkable but included a hundred Wigeon.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Painted Lady
Thursday 19 September 2013
Hysterical Hobby's!
Today my birding has been confined to the valley below HH and Blueberry Area. My morning walk was quiet with only 2 Ravens and a Red Kite. Late afternoon/early evening was far more productive, and the weather was much better, sun and wind, the perfect recipe for raptors, and they didn't disappoint !!. I lost count how many Common Buzzard I saw and heard, such an evocative call and they were clearly enjoying themselves. The rather stunning "white" Buzzard perched on the top of a tree watching the world go by, and there were 2 Red Kites and a female Peregrine in the area.
Over the last few days there have been hundreds of House Martins and Swallows feeding low over the fields etc, in preparation for their long journey south. This was the sight at Blueberry today, and whilst I stood around to let my collie companion have a rest I became aware of the alarm calls of the hirundines as they quickly gathered themselves together and gained height. However chaos soon ensued as 2 Hobby powered in and began hunting. The 2 Hobby were clearly working together and became very vocal with almost "scream" like calls. It wasn't long before one of them had caught their prey and they both flew off together. I'm glad that it was daylight as they sounded pretty scarey. I had witnessed this before, many years ago at Pitsford Reservoir.
There were at least 8 Whinchat in their usual field, at one time 4 were perched together on a tiny weed stem with a couple of others trying to join them !! Quite entertaining to watch.
Regards Eleanor
Over the last few days there have been hundreds of House Martins and Swallows feeding low over the fields etc, in preparation for their long journey south. This was the sight at Blueberry today, and whilst I stood around to let my collie companion have a rest I became aware of the alarm calls of the hirundines as they quickly gathered themselves together and gained height. However chaos soon ensued as 2 Hobby powered in and began hunting. The 2 Hobby were clearly working together and became very vocal with almost "scream" like calls. It wasn't long before one of them had caught their prey and they both flew off together. I'm glad that it was daylight as they sounded pretty scarey. I had witnessed this before, many years ago at Pitsford Reservoir.
There were at least 8 Whinchat in their usual field, at one time 4 were perched together on a tiny weed stem with a couple of others trying to join them !! Quite entertaining to watch.
Regards Eleanor
Wednesday 18 September 2013
Pitsford pm
Hello
A further excursion was made to Pitsford Res this afternoon and evening, with a few further species noted. This afternoon there was an adult Yellow-legged Gull and a Goldeneye in the Scaldwell Bay. At about 4.50pm in blustery conditions, Pink-footed Geese could be heard calling and were eventually located flying west very high up. The flock comprised of 31 birds.
This evening the Ruddy Shelduck was still in the Pintail Bay and there were approximately 5 Yellow-legged Gulls in the gull roost off the yacht club.
Regards
Neil M
A further excursion was made to Pitsford Res this afternoon and evening, with a few further species noted. This afternoon there was an adult Yellow-legged Gull and a Goldeneye in the Scaldwell Bay. At about 4.50pm in blustery conditions, Pink-footed Geese could be heard calling and were eventually located flying west very high up. The flock comprised of 31 birds.
This evening the Ruddy Shelduck was still in the Pintail Bay and there were approximately 5 Yellow-legged Gulls in the gull roost off the yacht club.
Regards
Neil M
Mute Swan
Going away view of
Pink-footed Geese!
Adult Yellow-legged Gull
showing evidence of
significant wing moult.
Autumn migration in full swing
Hello
This morning birds at Blueberry Farm (Maidwell) and immediate surround included 2 Short-eared Owls, a Hobby, a Red Kite, 6 Whinchat and 14 Golden Plovers flew over.
Birds noted north of the causeway at Pitsford Res this morning included 1-2 Hobby, 4 Little Egrets and a Whinchat. A ringing session at the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station provided in excess of eighty birds, the majority of which were new birds and hatched this year. Thirty-one House Martins and twenty-two Tree Sparrows dominated, but there was a reasonable show of warblers with five Chiffchaffs, a late Willow Warbler, a Blackcap, a Reed Warbler and a Sedge Warbler.
Regards
E & N
This morning birds at Blueberry Farm (Maidwell) and immediate surround included 2 Short-eared Owls, a Hobby, a Red Kite, 6 Whinchat and 14 Golden Plovers flew over.
Birds noted north of the causeway at Pitsford Res this morning included 1-2 Hobby, 4 Little Egrets and a Whinchat. A ringing session at the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station provided in excess of eighty birds, the majority of which were new birds and hatched this year. Thirty-one House Martins and twenty-two Tree Sparrows dominated, but there was a reasonable show of warblers with five Chiffchaffs, a late Willow Warbler, a Blackcap, a Reed Warbler and a Sedge Warbler.
Regards
E & N
Tuesday 17 September 2013
Rained Off !
Very little to report today. A wander at Harrington Airfield, before the rain came produced a male Merlin and a Wheatear. There were around 100+ linnets which may prove attractive to the Merlin.
A quick look at Pitsford provided a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper and 8+ Little Egrets. Although plenty of wildfowl present in the Scaldwell Bay I couldn't locate anything of note.
Regards Eleanor
A quick look at Pitsford provided a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper and 8+ Little Egrets. Although plenty of wildfowl present in the Scaldwell Bay I couldn't locate anything of note.
Regards Eleanor
Monday 16 September 2013
Creatures of Pitsford
Hello
Today at Pitsford Res birds south of the causeway included a Ruddy Shelduck (amongst the geese in the Pintail Bay), 3-4 Common Sandpipers, 6+ Little Egrets, a Hobby and 2 Grey Wagtails.
Birds north of the causeway included a Goldeneye, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 4 Little Egrets, a Spotted Flycatcher, 1-2 Hobby, and a Merlin was reported. Early morning sunshine provided plenty of energy light for insects and butterflies in the protection of the trees in the Scaldwell Bay.
House Martins were again evident in reasonable numbers today often using the leeward side of bushes and trees for shelter and aerial feeding. However, they are designed as higher altitude feeders and flying low puts them in danger from predators. Several attacks from Hobbies were witnessed today, at least one which was successful.
Birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and around the south-side of the Blueberry Farm complex produced a female Peregrine, 2 Red Kites, a Hobby and 6 Whinchats. Two or three Grey Wagtails were at Brixworth Sewer Works.
The gull roost at Pitsford Res this evening produced a first winter Mediterranean Gull and two Yellow-legged Gulls.
Regards
Eleanor & Neil
Today at Pitsford Res birds south of the causeway included a Ruddy Shelduck (amongst the geese in the Pintail Bay), 3-4 Common Sandpipers, 6+ Little Egrets, a Hobby and 2 Grey Wagtails.
Birds north of the causeway included a Goldeneye, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 4 Little Egrets, a Spotted Flycatcher, 1-2 Hobby, and a Merlin was reported. Early morning sunshine provided plenty of energy light for insects and butterflies in the protection of the trees in the Scaldwell Bay.
House Martins were again evident in reasonable numbers today often using the leeward side of bushes and trees for shelter and aerial feeding. However, they are designed as higher altitude feeders and flying low puts them in danger from predators. Several attacks from Hobbies were witnessed today, at least one which was successful.
Birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and around the south-side of the Blueberry Farm complex produced a female Peregrine, 2 Red Kites, a Hobby and 6 Whinchats. Two or three Grey Wagtails were at Brixworth Sewer Works.
The gull roost at Pitsford Res this evening produced a first winter Mediterranean Gull and two Yellow-legged Gulls.
Regards
Eleanor & Neil
Good numbers of
Little Egret are currently
on-site at Pitsford
Wasps attracted to the
sap of a recently-felled
Crack Willow
Red Admiral
Speckled Wood
Juvenile House Martin
Adult House Martin
Adult Hobby with just-caught
juvenile House Martin, the latter
probably no more than a few
weeks out of the nest. It evaded
capture with a series of manoeuvres
but was eventually captured by the
more mature hunter.
Sunday 15 September 2013
House Martin
Hello
This morning an amble at Harrington Airfield provided only a Wheatear, a Hobby and 3 Grey Partridges.
At lunchtime a female Peregrine was cruising towards the south end of the Blueberry Farm complex and at least 6 Whinchats were still present.
At Pitsford Res this afternoon, birds noted north of the causeway included a Goldeneye, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Hobby, a Whinchat and a Spotted Flycatcher. However the bird of the day was the House Martin with hundreds present at the reservoir, taking shelter and feeding around the reservoir edges. Only a few Sand Martins and Swallows were caught up within the flock. Twenty-two House Martins were caught and ringed this afternoon.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
This morning an amble at Harrington Airfield provided only a Wheatear, a Hobby and 3 Grey Partridges.
At lunchtime a female Peregrine was cruising towards the south end of the Blueberry Farm complex and at least 6 Whinchats were still present.
At Pitsford Res this afternoon, birds noted north of the causeway included a Goldeneye, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Hobby, a Whinchat and a Spotted Flycatcher. However the bird of the day was the House Martin with hundreds present at the reservoir, taking shelter and feeding around the reservoir edges. Only a few Sand Martins and Swallows were caught up within the flock. Twenty-two House Martins were caught and ringed this afternoon.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Common Buzzards
Harrington Airfield
Juvenile House Martin
Pitsford Res. The broad
white tertial tips help to
age this bird.
Saturday 14 September 2013
September afternoon
Hello
This afternoon and a visit to Pitsford Res north of the causeway produced 10 Little Egrets, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Greenshank, an adult Yellow-legged Gull and 2 Whinchats.
Blueberry Farm this evening was quiet with six Whinchats on show in the southern-most field of the complex. A Short-eared Owl was seen in one of the fields further north but we managed to successfully miss it! However we didn't miss the stunning red sunset.
Regards
E & N
This afternoon and a visit to Pitsford Res north of the causeway produced 10 Little Egrets, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Greenshank, an adult Yellow-legged Gull and 2 Whinchats.
Blueberry Farm this evening was quiet with six Whinchats on show in the southern-most field of the complex. A Short-eared Owl was seen in one of the fields further north but we managed to successfully miss it! However we didn't miss the stunning red sunset.
Regards
E & N
Harrington am
Hello
An amble around Harrington Airfield this morning after the rain provided a Redstart (in bushes on the LHS next to the concrete track 200m before the shooting wall), a Wheatear, a Whitethroat, a Golden Plover and an adult Hobby.
Regards
E & N
An amble around Harrington Airfield this morning after the rain provided a Redstart (in bushes on the LHS next to the concrete track 200m before the shooting wall), a Wheatear, a Whitethroat, a Golden Plover and an adult Hobby.
Regards
E & N
Friday 13 September 2013
Pitsford and stuff
Hello
A short ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res this morning produced only a modest catch but included 3 Kingfishers, 5 Meadow Pipits, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps and a Reed Warbler. Other migrants noted included a Grey Wagtail, a Whinchat, a Spotted Flycatcher, a couple of latish Willow Warblers and there were young Reed Warblers still being fed by adults in the reeds. The waterfowl included three Pintail, and a Green Sandpiper, a Little Egret and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were visible from the James Fisher Hide. At least one Raven flew over calling.
Eleanor went for a long run this morning, notching up 2 Ravens and a couple of Red Kites near Hanging Houghton, several Crossbills and 2 Grey Wagtails at Haselbech Hill and a Grey Wagtail at Beck Dairy, Cottesbrooke.
Regards
Neil M
A short ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res this morning produced only a modest catch but included 3 Kingfishers, 5 Meadow Pipits, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps and a Reed Warbler. Other migrants noted included a Grey Wagtail, a Whinchat, a Spotted Flycatcher, a couple of latish Willow Warblers and there were young Reed Warblers still being fed by adults in the reeds. The waterfowl included three Pintail, and a Green Sandpiper, a Little Egret and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were visible from the James Fisher Hide. At least one Raven flew over calling.
Eleanor went for a long run this morning, notching up 2 Ravens and a couple of Red Kites near Hanging Houghton, several Crossbills and 2 Grey Wagtails at Haselbech Hill and a Grey Wagtail at Beck Dairy, Cottesbrooke.
Regards
Neil M
Thursday 12 September 2013
Birds, what birds ???
I have had two very quiet days of birdwatching , so much so that I'm struggling to find any birds to report. The usual Red Kites and Common Buzzard are about at Harrington and Blueberry, and goodness knows how many Little Egrets at Pitsford. I think I must have been half asleep today at Pitsford as I walked around the bigside as I failed to locate anything apart from a Ruddy Shelduck.
Anyway the "second in command" has returned from his ringing exploits in Portugal which I'm sure he will be posting about.
Regards Eleanor
Anyway the "second in command" has returned from his ringing exploits in Portugal which I'm sure he will be posting about.
Regards Eleanor
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