A sunny November day!

Hello

A bird ringing session took place in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res this morning, after setting up yesterday afternoon.  In excess of sixty birds were caught, the majority being tits but also included a Treecreeper, 4 Goldcrests, 2 Linnets, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and several of the thrush family.  Highlights amongst the tits included singles of both Willow and Marsh.  Three Crossbills flew south west over the bay shortly after 9am and a couple of redpoll sp and Little Egrets were seen on and off.  A migrant flock of about a hundred Woodpigeons flew south west shortly after dawn and small numbers of Redwings were fidgeting about and flying over.

At Blueberry Farm (Maidwell) this morning birds included a female Peregrine, 3+ Red Kites, a Barn Owl and a pair of Stonechat.  The warm sunshine was sufficient to attract Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral butterflies to fly again today.

At Harrington Airfield this afternoon, the young male Merlin was again present and spending time around the third bunker.

At Pitsford Res late this afternoon, the gull roost attracted an adult Mediterranean Gull and quite an influx of Herring Gulls which included many of the 'argentatus' types.  A Great White Egret and at least 4 Little Egrets were active between the causeway and the dam, the GWE spending time fishing the shoreline between the Gorse Bushes and the Pintail Bay.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

 

Willow Tit

 

Dodgy digi-scope images of

adult Mediterranean Gull

Pitsford Reservoir!

A day of heavy passage...

Hello

Today was a day of very heavy diurnal migration with thousands of Starlings passing south through the county and regular very large flocks of Woodpigeons and Fieldfares flapping the same way.  A large skein of about a hundred Pink-footed Geese flew over Blueberry Farm this morning, disappearing off towards Haselbech at about 9.45am.  A couple of Red Kites and the pair of Stonechat were still present and two Ravens were about.

Harrington Airfield today hosted c100 Golden Plovers, a female Peregrine, c8 Bramblings and 2 Red Kites.

Birds in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res this afternoon included 4 Red-crested Pochard, 2 Goldeneye, a Grey Wagtail and a Barn Owl.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Birds before the rain...

Hello

A ringing session at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at Pitsford Reservoir provided 57 captures, the majority of which were new birds.  Birds included 10 Tree Sparrows, 7 Goldfinches, 5 Chaffinches, 2 Redwings and a Meadow Pipit.

Other birds seen in the Scaldwell Bay included 12 Red-crested Pochard, c10 Pintail and 2 Green Sandpipers, a couple of Little Egrets and a Grey Wagtail

Also this morning there was a Grey Wagtail at Hanging Houghton, a Red Kite in the Brampton Valley below the village and 2 Ravens near Cottesbrooke.

A wander around Harrington Airfield produced a heavy passage of Starlings, 2 Little Egrets on standing water on the top fields, c50 Golden Plovers, 2 Red Kites and 10+ Bramblings (shooting wall area).  However the best bird was a first year Ring Ouzel around the third bunker.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

A day of Kites !!

The day started with an early morning wander at Harrington Airfield, where there were at least 10 Bramblings along the main track. At the moment there does appear to be good numbers of Yellowhammer, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Linnet and Skylark which are worthy of a good long scan.......just in case!
There were also 2 Ravens, 2 Red Kites and 2 Grey Partridge.
Late morning found me walking around Sywell Reservoir where there are muddy margins and this afforded good views of 2 Water Rails running around squealing their heads off. How does such a lovely bird make these blood curdling noises ?! Even the dogs were bemused by the noise.
There was also a Green Sandpiper, 2 Grey Wagtails, pair of Stonechat, 2 Red Kites,  6 Lesser Redpolls and at least 30 Siskin.
Whilst enjoying lunch at Beckworths Emporium with friends I noticed 3 Red Kites circling above us.
My final outing was the southern end of the Blueberry Complex where the pair of Stonechat remain, and nearby 2 further Red Kites, a Barn Owl and a male Merlin whizzed over towards Hanging Houghton.
I saw 9 Red Kites today, that was without really trying, but I never tire of watching them, such graceful birds with their evocative call.

Regards Eleanor

Wet birding!

Hello

Eleanor's excursions today included a visit to Harrington Airfield which saw two over-flying Crossbills, 12 Bramblings and smaller numbers of Siskins and redpoll sp plus a couple of Ravens.

At Harlestone Heath there were at least two flighty Crossbills, c50 Siskins and a few redpoll sp.

Regards

Neil M

Pitsford a.m.

Hello

Birds at Pitsford Reservoir today include at least two Great White Egrets (Scaldwell Bay and Gorse Bushes), 12 Red-crested Pochard and 13 Pintail (Scaldwell Bay), a Grey Wagtail and a Brambling.

Regards

Neil M

Welland and Woods!

Hello

With bright and breezy conditions today we decided that an excursion to the north of the county was well overdue.  However before we set off four Crossbills flew south-west over the garden here at Hanging Houghton (7.20am).

Our first venue was East Carlton Country Park which hosted plenty of common birds which included a Woodcock, a Kingfisher, c20 Siskins, several redpoll including a large pale bird seen only in flight, a Brambling and a Grey Wagtail.

We then meandered up the Welland Valley and took a diversion on to the old Harringworth Airfield.  Plenty of passerines and Red Kites galore but nothing was found out of the ordinary.  Adjacent Wakerley Wood provided views of four Crossbills, c10 Siskins, a few redpoll sp and tits and woodpeckers.

More views of Red Kites in the afternoon sunshine at Fineshade were enjoyable, with plenty of Common Buzzards competing for air space too.  A Kingfisher, a Brambling and just a few redpoll sp and Siskins were noted and the feeders in front of the Wildlife Hide were providing good views of common woodland birds.  Insects included Hornet, Red Admiral and Comma.

Our last venue was Blatherwycke Lake as the sun began to seriously dip and the temperature plummet.  The large flock of Greylag and Canada Geese also included a Barnacle, the Mandarin Duck flock totalled twenty-two and other birds included lots of Red Kites, three Little Egrets, two Kingfishers and a Grey Wagtail.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

 

With a bumper autumn of goodies on

offer here's hoping the Grey Squirrels stay

off our bird feeders!

 

Blue Tit

Fineshade

 

Common Buzzard

 

Red Kites

 

Greylag Geese

Blatherwycke

Yet more windy conditions!

Hello

The regular autumn theme of strong wind and showers continued today, with the sun coming through later in the day and the temperature dropping to the point where gloves were required for the first time this autumn!

Morning birds included a Short-eared Owl and 2 Stonechats at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and a couple each of Siskin and redpoll sp in Scaldwell village.

Birds in Hanging Houghton village today included a Brambling and a Grey Wagtail.

A scan at Ravensthorpe Reservoir this afternoon provided views of the expected Grey Wagtail and Green Sandpiper but nothing out of the ordinary, unless you include the stunning black and pebbled emulsion-white plumage Coot that is currently in residence!

Harrington Airfield this afternoon again attracted a male Merlin, a Red Kite and two Bramblings.

The gull roost at Pitsford Res was sufficient to attract a third year Yellow-legged Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull, with a Grey Wagtail at the water-line.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Blustery Blueberry !

A very entertaining walk around Blueberry area this afternoon thanks to the antics of a Common Buzzard and a collie called Bazra !!.
We started our walk below Hanging Houghton and as we headed towards Blueberry the fields were "pulsating" with literally hundreds of Fieldfares and good numbers of Redwing, Starling and Skylark. These proved irresistible to a Peregrine Falcon, who could easily have caught any of these birds, but instead seemed happy to play in the wind.
The largest and highest field of the Blueberry complex has been cut and this appeared very attractive to 2 Red Kites, a male Merlin, several Kestrels and 4+ Common Buzzard. 
As we neared the summit I could hear a "squeaking" noise coming from an area of grass which hadn't been cut. Bazra went ahead to investigate and in doing so he "flushed" a Common Buzzard from the ground, which flew up carrying it's prey. I don't think the Buzzard realised that I was only a few metres behind and as it rose the wind blew the Buzzard my way. I could have caught it's prey item as it dropped it at my feet.......a slightly stunned Weasel, which shook itself off and disappeared into the grass with Bazra in pursuit, but being the obedient collie he is he soon left the Weasel in peace.  I can't remember the last time I actually saw a Weasel.
Birds seen on the walk back to the car included 2 Barn Owls, pr Stonechat and a "brown" Crow.
Prior to going out for a walk I had been tidying the garden and a Red Kite, 2 Ravens, Brambling, several Siskin and Grey Wagtail had gone over.

Regards Eleanor

Harrington a.m.

Hello

Eleanor spent some time up at Harrington Airfield this morning and again saw the male Merlin.  There were 10 -14 Bramblings present including two on seed by the main concrete track entrance.

A re-trapped male Sparrowhawk in the garden this morning was first captured in 2006 and is now eight years old!

Regards

Neil M

Local bird stuff

Hello

A ringing session at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at Pitsford Reservoir this morning resulted in 45 captures, the majority of which were new birds.  New birds included a Lesser Redpoll, a Bullfinch, 3 Goldfinches, 7 Greenfinches, a Reed Bunting, 5 Tree Sparrows and 6 Goldcrests.

Other birds noted north of the causeway included 2 Great White Egrets, half a dozen Little Egrets, a Green Sandpiper, 7 Pintail and 7 Red-crested Pochard.

Birds noted at Harrington Airfield this morning included a male Merlin again, c200 Golden Plovers, 6 Bramblings, 4 Siskins and 8 fly-over redpoll sp.  A Raven and 2 Siskins were in residence at Scotland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate) this afternoon.

Regards

Neil & Eleanor

A day of "surprises" !

Birding, running or household jobs.......a dilemma I'm faced with each morning !!
This morning I opted to start my day with a run along the Brampton Valley Way and I soon became aware of the alarm/mobbing calls of blackbirds and chaffinches in the hedge . I stopped and stuck my head into the hedge and I honestly do not know who was more surprised, me or it....a very bemused Long Eared Owl, which flew off in the direction of Brixworth.
Then it was time to walk the dogs and we took a leisurely walk around the big side of Pitsford Reservoir.  I nearly missed the first good bird, a Ring Ouzel, perched on a lone bush in the field next to the causeway car park. I confess to nearly not bothering to raise my binoculars to it!!.  There were 3 Great White Egrets together on the shoreline infront of the gorse bushes. Quite a sight, although they were rather nervous and as I watched 2 flew onto the small side and I saw them later in the Scaldwell Bay, whilst 1 remained at the gorse bushes.  I lost count of the number of Little Egrets, easily in double figures.  
As it was bright and breezy it wasn't long before the raptors were up and about, with a female Peregrine chasing the lapwings and a Red Kite causing some panic amongst the wildfowl.
The area below the dam looks quite interesting at the moment as it is soggy grass fields with horses grazing.  A Black Redstart was a surprise find, but the "local" robin was a nuisance as it kept chasing it around.  A Green Sandpiper was also present.
On the small side [scaldwell bay] were 3 Dunlin, a Redshank and 10 Red Crested Pochard.
Neil's token effort was a Grey Wagtail and Yellow Legged Gull from the dam at Pitsford Reservoir.

Regards Eleanor

Dip day!

Hello

Eleanor popped over to Woodford Halse this morning but the Hoopoe didn't show and is presumed now gone?  A walk around Borough Hill Country Park at Daventry thereafter didn't find any birds of note.  And continuing the theme, Eleanor walked around Sywell Country Park this afternoon and still can't think of anything noteworthy to report!  Ah well that's how it goes sometimes!

I spent 90 minutes this afternoon on a short walk around Ecton Sewage Works but only saw three Chiffchaffs, a Siskin, a Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail.

Regards

Neil M

Housework versus Birding !!!!!

Today was earmarked for housework and jobs, ha ha !! But on such a bright and breezy day I felt compelled to visit Harrington, Pitsford and Blueberry.........exercising the dogs of course, with a bit of birdwatching thrown in !!!

At Harrington Airfield the male Merlin whizzed low over the fields causing chaos with the Skylarks. There were at least 2 or 3 Red Kites and numerous Common Buzzard enjoying the breeze. For some reason the bushes near the "shooting wall" seem to be attractive to at least 2 Bramblings who sit very quietly watching the world go by.

I had been at Harrington for at least an hour before I saw the Great Grey Shrike around the last bunker. It really was a case of blink and you will miss it, as it literally hopped up onto a bush and dropped off out of view.

My mission at Pitsford was to find a "storm" driven bird !, but I failed.  Although it looks very good there and has potential I didn't find anything new.  On the big side there was a Peregrine Falcon, 2 Green Sandpipers and 3 Lesser Redpoll.  On the small side there were again 3 Great White Egret and at least 7 Little Egret.  The 10 Red-crested Pochard were in the Walgrave Bay and the males looked stunning in the Autumn sunshine. There were also several Pintail and Goldeneye.

My final walk was at the southern most end of the Blueberry complex, but it was quiet, apart from a pair of Stonechat.

Tomorrow is forecast to be another nice day.........

Regards Eleanor

Not a lot!

Hello

This afternoon a walk around Blueberry Farm, Maidwell provided views of 2 Barn Owls, a pair of Stonechat, 12 Bramblings and 2 redpoll sp in flight.  The gull roost at Pitsford Res only yielded 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls.

Regards

E & N

Post-storm birds

Hello

A walk at Harrington Airfield this morning proved the Great Grey Shrike was still in residence and still very mobile (still present at 10.30am).  Other birds included a Red Kite, 2-3 Ravens, a Siskin, a redpoll sp and 2 Bramblings.

A scan from the causeway at Pitsford Res confirmed now three Great White Egrets in residence, all on view at the same time with at least five Little Egrets (12.40pm).

Regards

E & N

 

Great Grey Shrike

 

An autumn charm

of Goldfinches set

in a hawthorn bush

full of berries

Hoopoe!

Hello

This morning and a visit to Pitsford Res provided views of birds north of the causeway which included 2 Great White Egrets, at least 4 Little Egrets, 10 Red-crested Pochards, 12 Pintail, 3 Green Sandpipers and a redpoll sp.

Found today between Woodford Halse and Eydon in the west of the county was a very unexpected but welcome item of avian exotica in the shape of a Hoopoe!  This bird was feeding in a car park to a small fishery between the villages and because everyone kept their distance the Hoopoe fed unconcernedly and reasonably close.

On the way back we called in at Borough Hill Country Park where Bazra enjoyed a good game - the only bird of note was a Chiffchaff.

We finished at Ravensthorpe Reservoir which provided views of a male Peregrine and a Pintail.

Regards

Neil H and Neil M

 

Great White Egret

Pitsford Res

 

 

 

Even Hoopoes are

allowed a little stretch

and yawn!

 

Airfield adventures

Hello

Well I spent much of the day cleaning and disinfecting bird feeders and making preparations to again start a number of wild bird feeding stations as well as maintaining the couple that we run all year.  With such mild conditions it is important to realise that bacteria and disease will potentially fester in bird feeders and spread much more quickly that in cold and frosty weather.  We are hoping to maintain ten sites this winter which will require plenty of food and time to ensure that the local and transient birds have something to fall back on.

This afternoon we ventured out to Harrington Airfield where the Great Grey Shrike showed well, and was seen to catch and consume a Bumble-bee.  The best way to see this bird continuously is to walk along the concrete track and scan towards the old airstrip.  It has favoured locations and it is better to watch these from a distance with a telescope rather than walking around the bushes and obtaining brief views.  Observers today were spending a great deal of time searching for the bird and continually flushing it without seeing it, such is the poor viewing conditions amongst the bushes and around the bunkers.  There is no general permitted access around the airstrip and bunkers, the only footpath is along the concrete track and it is likely that although the landowner has few concerns about a few people walking the rough areas, a large number of people may cause a change of view to the point where no-one is permitted access to the old airstrip and bunkers.

A number of common raptors were on the wing at Harrington Airfield this afternoon, and a first year male Merlin 'beat up' the top fields and rape field next to the firing range wall in pursuit of Skylarks (3.50pm).  Other birds included at least 42 Golden Plovers and 2 Bramblings.

Regards

Neil M

 

Merlin in

virtual silhouette

Breezy Blueberry!

Hello

Eleanor's excursion to Blueberry Farm, Maidwell in breezy conditions this morning provided views of a Short-eared Owl, 2 Red Kites and 2 Stonechats, all birds towards the southern end of the complex.

Regards

Neil M

Catching up with the birds!

Hello

First thing this morning and Eleanor revisited Harrington Airfield and kept to the concrete track.  She saw the first year Ring Ouzel which flew towards the third bunker.

Mid-morning saw two Ravens present at Hanging Houghton.

This afternoon and I found time to have a wander at Harrington Airfield.  Thanks to Alan Coles I saw the Great Grey Shrike perched on a small isolated bunker between the concrete track and the old airstrip (1.15pm) - thanks Alan!

After a quick wander around the copse further on, I returned to scan the fields and this time the Ring Ouzel was pointed out to me, this bird on the same concrete bunker that had hosted the shrike.  The Ring Ouzel was then watched for quite a time gently plucking and consuming the last of the elderberries (still present at 2.20pm).

A Peregrine chased some corvids around in the strong breeze and plenty of raptors on view included at least one Red Kite.  About seventy Golden Plover were present but mobile.

A quick look at Pitsford Res this afternoon provided views of a Great White Egret, nine Red-crested Pochard and six Pintail in the Scaldwell Bay and at least four Little Egrets scattered about the reserve.  There was an adult Yellow-legged Gull north of the causeway and subsequently a different bird off the dam.

Some scanning over parts of Blueberry Farm (Maidwell) late afternoon drew a blank but a Grey Partridge was heard again.  A 'ringtail' Hen Harrier was reported for yesterday afternoon.

Regards

Neil M

 

Red Kite

 

Common Buzzard

 

Golden Plover