Hello
This morning a number of the Northants Ringing Group set up a ringing demonstration on the new Wildlife Trust reserve called Irthlingborough Lakes (part of the Ditchford GP complex). Over seventy birds were captured, none of which were particularly unusual but a good range of species provided an opportunity for people to see wild birds close-up which is always a privilege.
Whilst we were there a 1st year Glaucous Gull flew west over the pits at 10.10am, no doubt on its way to Sidegate Lane Landfill. A Grey Wagtail, a Kingfisher, a redpoll sp and a couple each of calling Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler were the only other birds out of the ordinary.
This afternoon the Hume's Leaf Warbler from the last few days was again showing on and off and calling well.
Regards
Neil M
Sunday 8 December 2013
Saturday 7 December 2013
Hume's Access
Hello
Should the Hume's Leaf Warbler be present on-site during this coming week it is planned to provide escorted access on Wednesday 11th December 2013.
It is planned to accommodate three time slots of 9am, 11am and 1pm.
Should you wish to attend please advise me by email:-
neil.mcmahonoriole@btinternet.com
Please indicate which time slot you would prefer.
On confirming the appointment I will provide a rendezvous point and my mobile number. Please be advised that there may be a delay in me being able to respond.
I will visit the site early on Wednesday to establish if the bird is still present and update Birdguides and northantsbirds.com accordingly. It is therefore advisable to monitor these websites on Wednesday for any relevant news.
Anyone booking for the 9am time slot is advised to be on-site in any event (the disadvantage of this early slot is that it may not be possible to confirm the presence of the bird by this time).
Future access after this date may not be possible.
Thank-you for your patience.
Neil McMahon
Should the Hume's Leaf Warbler be present on-site during this coming week it is planned to provide escorted access on Wednesday 11th December 2013.
It is planned to accommodate three time slots of 9am, 11am and 1pm.
Should you wish to attend please advise me by email:-
neil.mcmahonoriole@btinternet.com
Please indicate which time slot you would prefer.
On confirming the appointment I will provide a rendezvous point and my mobile number. Please be advised that there may be a delay in me being able to respond.
I will visit the site early on Wednesday to establish if the bird is still present and update Birdguides and northantsbirds.com accordingly. It is therefore advisable to monitor these websites on Wednesday for any relevant news.
Anyone booking for the 9am time slot is advised to be on-site in any event (the disadvantage of this early slot is that it may not be possible to confirm the presence of the bird by this time).
Future access after this date may not be possible.
Thank-you for your patience.
Neil McMahon
Raptors and owls!
Hello
A visit to Brixworth Sewage Works today provide views of a Peregrine, and two Grey Wagtails amongst quite a flock of Pied Wagtails.
Myself and Baz fed the birds at the start of the track at Harrington Airfield, and it wasn't long before at last 6 Bramblings appeared. There is quite a lot of fallen leaves on the ground which makes it rather a challenge picking out the Bramblings from the orange and gold colours of these leaves.
We flushed a Woodcock and 2 Short-eared Owls on our walk. I suspect that the Short-eared Owls are very recent arrivals judging by their flighty action.
There were 2 Red Kites over Walgrave village, seen as I opened my parents' front door, after I had visited them.
Poor Baz really wanted a snooze this afternoon, but I had other ideas !!! It was such a glorious afternoon and I couldn't miss the opportunity of a good walk around the Blueberry Farm complex.
There was a tractor ploughing which attracted large numbers of gulls, corvids, Starlings and winter thrushes. They were very vocal and a real test for my ears!!! Anyway it wasn't long before there were calls of alarm and chaos as a female Peregrine whizzed through, closely followed by 2+ Ravens.
When I reached the summit of the large field I loitered awhile to give Baz a rest and there was a fantastic sight of 3 Red Kites, the resident white Common Buzzard, a Raven and a Short-eared Owl all circling around in the air together, with the Raven and kites being very vocal. It really was a beautiful scene.
Other birds on our walk included a Barn Owl, Woodcock and a pair of Stonechat.
Regards
Eleanor
A visit to Brixworth Sewage Works today provide views of a Peregrine, and two Grey Wagtails amongst quite a flock of Pied Wagtails.
Myself and Baz fed the birds at the start of the track at Harrington Airfield, and it wasn't long before at last 6 Bramblings appeared. There is quite a lot of fallen leaves on the ground which makes it rather a challenge picking out the Bramblings from the orange and gold colours of these leaves.
We flushed a Woodcock and 2 Short-eared Owls on our walk. I suspect that the Short-eared Owls are very recent arrivals judging by their flighty action.
There were 2 Red Kites over Walgrave village, seen as I opened my parents' front door, after I had visited them.
Poor Baz really wanted a snooze this afternoon, but I had other ideas !!! It was such a glorious afternoon and I couldn't miss the opportunity of a good walk around the Blueberry Farm complex.
There was a tractor ploughing which attracted large numbers of gulls, corvids, Starlings and winter thrushes. They were very vocal and a real test for my ears!!! Anyway it wasn't long before there were calls of alarm and chaos as a female Peregrine whizzed through, closely followed by 2+ Ravens.
When I reached the summit of the large field I loitered awhile to give Baz a rest and there was a fantastic sight of 3 Red Kites, the resident white Common Buzzard, a Raven and a Short-eared Owl all circling around in the air together, with the Raven and kites being very vocal. It really was a beautiful scene.
Other birds on our walk included a Barn Owl, Woodcock and a pair of Stonechat.
Regards
Eleanor
Hume's Leaf Warbler
Hello
The apparent Yellow-browed Warbler from yesterday was seen today and primarily as a result of it's call has now been identified as the far rarer Hume's Leaf Warbler. This used to be treated as a race of Yellow-browed but is now regarded as a full species in its own right.
Access to the site remains restricted, but if the bird remains efforts will be made to provide an opportunity for chaperoned access in the near future.
Regards
Neil M
The apparent Yellow-browed Warbler from yesterday was seen today and primarily as a result of it's call has now been identified as the far rarer Hume's Leaf Warbler. This used to be treated as a race of Yellow-browed but is now regarded as a full species in its own right.
Access to the site remains restricted, but if the bird remains efforts will be made to provide an opportunity for chaperoned access in the near future.
Regards
Neil M
Images courtesy of
Neil Hasdell
Friday 6 December 2013
Winter Woodcock & Co
Hello
Yesterday (Thursday) and a blustery walk at Harrington Airfield was enough to see two Woodcock and about ten Bramblings.
Today (Friday) and two visits to Blueberry Farm, Maidwell provided observations of a female Peregrine, a Barn Owl, two Red Kites, 2+ Ravens, two Woodcock and a pair of Stonechat. Hundreds of Fieldfares remain on-site.
A Yellow-browed Warbler was heard calling at a private site today - efforts will be made to try and locate the bird tomorrow and if it is still present small numbers of birders may be able to visit the site by way of restricted and escorted access.
Pitsford Res continued to hold birds of interest today, two drake Smew, a Goosander and a Great White Egret were visible from the dam and birds on show from the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station included two Great White Egrets, eight Red-crested Pochard, four 'redhead' Smew, a Black-tailed Godwit and two Redshank.
A ringing session at Kelmarsh Hall today provided 95 captures which included plenty of tits, a Nuthatch, three Bullfinches, thirteen Goldfinches, a Treecreeper and nine Blackbirds. A Woodcock was seen on our initial arrival.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Yesterday (Thursday) and a blustery walk at Harrington Airfield was enough to see two Woodcock and about ten Bramblings.
Today (Friday) and two visits to Blueberry Farm, Maidwell provided observations of a female Peregrine, a Barn Owl, two Red Kites, 2+ Ravens, two Woodcock and a pair of Stonechat. Hundreds of Fieldfares remain on-site.
A Yellow-browed Warbler was heard calling at a private site today - efforts will be made to try and locate the bird tomorrow and if it is still present small numbers of birders may be able to visit the site by way of restricted and escorted access.
Pitsford Res continued to hold birds of interest today, two drake Smew, a Goosander and a Great White Egret were visible from the dam and birds on show from the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station included two Great White Egrets, eight Red-crested Pochard, four 'redhead' Smew, a Black-tailed Godwit and two Redshank.
A ringing session at Kelmarsh Hall today provided 95 captures which included plenty of tits, a Nuthatch, three Bullfinches, thirteen Goldfinches, a Treecreeper and nine Blackbirds. A Woodcock was seen on our initial arrival.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Wednesday 4 December 2013
It's becoming colder...
Hello
A day of chores today meant that we were both out of action for much of the time.
I noticed a Grey Wagtail at Pitsford Quarry this morning and later there was a Red Kite circling over Hanging Houghton village.
Whilst at Pitsford Res restocking and organising the feed station at the Old Scaldwell Road, I noted the long-staying Black-tailed Godwit, the Bar-headed Goose and at least 6 Red-crested Pochard in the Scaldwell Bay.
A short birding session at Ravensthorpe Res this afternoon in plummeting temperatures failed to find much of note, the highlights being a Grey Wagtail, a Kingfisher and a Water Rail.
Regards
Neil M
A day of chores today meant that we were both out of action for much of the time.
I noticed a Grey Wagtail at Pitsford Quarry this morning and later there was a Red Kite circling over Hanging Houghton village.
Whilst at Pitsford Res restocking and organising the feed station at the Old Scaldwell Road, I noted the long-staying Black-tailed Godwit, the Bar-headed Goose and at least 6 Red-crested Pochard in the Scaldwell Bay.
A short birding session at Ravensthorpe Res this afternoon in plummeting temperatures failed to find much of note, the highlights being a Grey Wagtail, a Kingfisher and a Water Rail.
Regards
Neil M
Tuesday 3 December 2013
Oldsquaw!
Hello
Today on my early morning run there were 2+ Bramblings, a Grey Wagtail and 2 Ravens near Beck Dairy, Cottesbrooke. I think that I gave the pair of Stonechat [at the southern end of Blueberry] a fright as it was barely light when I ran past them as they perched on the brambles next to the track!!
Whilst drinking my coffee at home and recovering from my run I had 2 Crossbills, 6 Siskins and probably the same 2 Ravens over the garden.
I found myself running errands around the Wellingborough area so I took Bazra and enjoyed a very pleasant stroll around Sywell Country Park. It is quite a favourite walk of mine and I think a rather under-watched place. The autumn colours were quite stunning, mind you so were the birds as I coincided my walk with a brief spell of sunshine. Two 'redhead' Smew, a Water Rail, a pair of Stonechat, 10+ Lesser Redpolls and 50+ Siskin certainly brightened up the day.
One of my aims for today was to visit Earls Barton and hopefully photograph the 3 Long-tailed Ducks present on Mary's Lake. I do not remember seeing three of these birds together in the county before and they certainly looked quite spectacular and were showing well - diving, preening, flying and loafing around. Sadly the light was pretty poor this afternoon.......well that's my excuse for my poor attempts at photographing them!
Regards
Eleanor
Today on my early morning run there were 2+ Bramblings, a Grey Wagtail and 2 Ravens near Beck Dairy, Cottesbrooke. I think that I gave the pair of Stonechat [at the southern end of Blueberry] a fright as it was barely light when I ran past them as they perched on the brambles next to the track!!
Whilst drinking my coffee at home and recovering from my run I had 2 Crossbills, 6 Siskins and probably the same 2 Ravens over the garden.
I found myself running errands around the Wellingborough area so I took Bazra and enjoyed a very pleasant stroll around Sywell Country Park. It is quite a favourite walk of mine and I think a rather under-watched place. The autumn colours were quite stunning, mind you so were the birds as I coincided my walk with a brief spell of sunshine. Two 'redhead' Smew, a Water Rail, a pair of Stonechat, 10+ Lesser Redpolls and 50+ Siskin certainly brightened up the day.
One of my aims for today was to visit Earls Barton and hopefully photograph the 3 Long-tailed Ducks present on Mary's Lake. I do not remember seeing three of these birds together in the county before and they certainly looked quite spectacular and were showing well - diving, preening, flying and loafing around. Sadly the light was pretty poor this afternoon.......well that's my excuse for my poor attempts at photographing them!
Regards
Eleanor
Monday 2 December 2013
Feeding the birds
Hello
Eleanor's walk at Harrington Airfield this morning failed to find much of note, but a dozen Bramblings were on the seed with other birds by the main entrance.
After a short period of bird ringing in the garden this morning I spent much of the day visiting and re-stocking wild bird feeding stations nearby. Three Woodcock were noted in Scotland Wood, a private site on the Kelmarsh Estate.
Regards
Neil M
Eleanor's walk at Harrington Airfield this morning failed to find much of note, but a dozen Bramblings were on the seed with other birds by the main entrance.
After a short period of bird ringing in the garden this morning I spent much of the day visiting and re-stocking wild bird feeding stations nearby. Three Woodcock were noted in Scotland Wood, a private site on the Kelmarsh Estate.
Regards
Neil M
Sunday 1 December 2013
Watch out for European Immigrants!
Hello
A ringing session held in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res provided over sixty birds of a variety of species. Quite a number of Blackbirds included a female bearing a Dutch ring, further proof that many of the Backbirds around at the moment are transient European birds looking for suitable winter quarters. A male Sparrowhawk was the highlight for many, these fierce and undaunted little predators always demand respect and generate just a little awe. A Lesser Redpoll was also caught together with a Willow Tit and a couple of Redwings plus six tiny Goldcrests.
Other birds noted in and around the Walgrave Bay included nine Red-crested Pochard, a Kingfisher, a couple more redpoll sp and about six Siskins.
A still and cold Blueberry Farm yielded a hunting Barn Owl and two Stonechats this afternoon and a Peregrine was reported.
Regards
Eleanor, Neil H and Neil M
A ringing session held in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res provided over sixty birds of a variety of species. Quite a number of Blackbirds included a female bearing a Dutch ring, further proof that many of the Backbirds around at the moment are transient European birds looking for suitable winter quarters. A male Sparrowhawk was the highlight for many, these fierce and undaunted little predators always demand respect and generate just a little awe. A Lesser Redpoll was also caught together with a Willow Tit and a couple of Redwings plus six tiny Goldcrests.
Other birds noted in and around the Walgrave Bay included nine Red-crested Pochard, a Kingfisher, a couple more redpoll sp and about six Siskins.
A still and cold Blueberry Farm yielded a hunting Barn Owl and two Stonechats this afternoon and a Peregrine was reported.
Regards
Eleanor, Neil H and Neil M
Sparrowhawk
Saturday 30 November 2013
Week-end foray
Hello
Birds noted at Pitsford Reservoir today included 2 Great White Egrets, at least 16 Red-crested Pochard, 2 Redshank, a drake Pintail south of the causeway and a Woodcock.
Blueberry Farm continued to host 2 Stonechat, 2-3 Woodcock, 2 Ravens, a Barn Owl, 2 Red Kites, a female Peregrine and still large numbers of winter thrushes.
At least ten Bramblings were on the seed at Harrington Airfield, at the concrete track entrance off the Draughton Road. Small numbers of fidgety redpoll sp were present at all three sites.
Regards
Eleanor, Neil H and Neil M
Birds noted at Pitsford Reservoir today included 2 Great White Egrets, at least 16 Red-crested Pochard, 2 Redshank, a drake Pintail south of the causeway and a Woodcock.
Blueberry Farm continued to host 2 Stonechat, 2-3 Woodcock, 2 Ravens, a Barn Owl, 2 Red Kites, a female Peregrine and still large numbers of winter thrushes.
At least ten Bramblings were on the seed at Harrington Airfield, at the concrete track entrance off the Draughton Road. Small numbers of fidgety redpoll sp were present at all three sites.
Regards
Eleanor, Neil H and Neil M
Friday 29 November 2013
Dank afternoon!
Hello
A dull and dank afternoon failed to inspire, additional birds at Pitsford Res visible from the yacht club amounted to a Great White Egret, 4 Little Egrets and a Yellow-legged Gull. It was also rather samey at Blueberry Farm with a Barn Owl and the pair of Stonechat being the only birds of note. Hundreds of noisy 'chacking' Fieldfares there were in their element - plenty of berries and nice thick hedges to roost in.
Regards
N & E
A dull and dank afternoon failed to inspire, additional birds at Pitsford Res visible from the yacht club amounted to a Great White Egret, 4 Little Egrets and a Yellow-legged Gull. It was also rather samey at Blueberry Farm with a Barn Owl and the pair of Stonechat being the only birds of note. Hundreds of noisy 'chacking' Fieldfares there were in their element - plenty of berries and nice thick hedges to roost in.
Regards
N & E
Plenty of Goldeneye are
now present at Pitsford Res
including many fine drakes.
Egrets & Co
Hello
This morning I took a wander in to the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res. The bird highlights were 1-2 Great White Egret(s), 13 Red-crested Pochard (still including the leucistic drake), 13 Pintail, a drake Goosander, 3 Black Swans, several Little Egrets, a Dunlin, 2 Redshank and a few Golden Plover. At least one Marsh Tit is regularly at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station these days and today a Willow Tit was by the James Fisher Hide.
Eleanor flushed a Woodcock along the Brampton Valley Way, again by the Spratton crossing, and 2 Bramblings were also along the Way below Brixworth.
Good numbers of common birds were at the concrete track entrance of Harrington Airfield this morning, many of them bathing in the puddles there. Birds coming down for the seed at the same place included 8 Bramblings.
Regards
Neil M
This morning I took a wander in to the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res. The bird highlights were 1-2 Great White Egret(s), 13 Red-crested Pochard (still including the leucistic drake), 13 Pintail, a drake Goosander, 3 Black Swans, several Little Egrets, a Dunlin, 2 Redshank and a few Golden Plover. At least one Marsh Tit is regularly at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station these days and today a Willow Tit was by the James Fisher Hide.
Eleanor flushed a Woodcock along the Brampton Valley Way, again by the Spratton crossing, and 2 Bramblings were also along the Way below Brixworth.
Good numbers of common birds were at the concrete track entrance of Harrington Airfield this morning, many of them bathing in the puddles there. Birds coming down for the seed at the same place included 8 Bramblings.
Regards
Neil M
Wednesday 27 November 2013
Birds setting their stall out for winter.
Hello
This morning a scan at Ravensthorpe Reservoir provided views of the still present leucistic female Red-crested Pochard and a Raven proclaiming its territory.
A visit to Harrington Airfield this morning confirmed the presence of hundreds of Fieldfares stripping the berries off the hawthorns. Also present were two Red Kites, 4 Bramblings and a Chiffchaff. Fly-overs included 2+ redpoll sp and a Grey Wagtail.
A single Grey Wagtail was present in Hanging Houghton village. Single Woodcock were present at Kelmarsh Hall and Scotland Wood.
Birds noted at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this afternoon included a Barn Owl, 2 Woodcock, 2 Grey Partridges, a pair of Stonechat, 2-3 Red Kites and over-flying finches included 5 Bramblings and 2+ redpoll sp.
Scanning from the yacht club at Pitsford Res this afternoon provided views of two fishing Great White Egrets, four Little Egrets and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
This morning a scan at Ravensthorpe Reservoir provided views of the still present leucistic female Red-crested Pochard and a Raven proclaiming its territory.
A visit to Harrington Airfield this morning confirmed the presence of hundreds of Fieldfares stripping the berries off the hawthorns. Also present were two Red Kites, 4 Bramblings and a Chiffchaff. Fly-overs included 2+ redpoll sp and a Grey Wagtail.
A single Grey Wagtail was present in Hanging Houghton village. Single Woodcock were present at Kelmarsh Hall and Scotland Wood.
Birds noted at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this afternoon included a Barn Owl, 2 Woodcock, 2 Grey Partridges, a pair of Stonechat, 2-3 Red Kites and over-flying finches included 5 Bramblings and 2+ redpoll sp.
Scanning from the yacht club at Pitsford Res this afternoon provided views of two fishing Great White Egrets, four Little Egrets and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Tuesday 26 November 2013
Brampton Valley and beyond...
Hello
Today Eleanor spent some time locally, starting with a run along Merry Tom Lane, along the Brampton Valley Way and around Cottesbrooke to Hanging Houghton. Birds en-route included about 6 Bramblings near to Brixworth, a Woodcock along the BVW towards the Spratton Crossing, 2-3 Crossbills between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton (Gamboro' Plantation) and 2 Ravens below HH.
A visit to Brixworth Country Park provided views of 16 Lesser Redpolls by the hide, at least 2 Bramblings and another Woodcock. A walk at Harrington Airfield confirmed the continuing presence of 4+ Bramblings by the shooting wall.
In the meantime Dave Francis was completing a ringing session at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at Pitsford Reservoir, the overall session providing 80 birds, with just over half of the birds being new. Ringing has helped us to confirm that this year at least 166 new Tree Sparrows have made use of the foodstuffs which is provided year-round.
New birds included a Moorhen, 3 Redwings, 6 Blackbirds, 4 Yellowhammers, 6 Tree Sparrows and 10 Greenfinches.
Egrets noted south of the causeway this afternoon included four Little and two Great Whites.
Regards
Neil M
Today Eleanor spent some time locally, starting with a run along Merry Tom Lane, along the Brampton Valley Way and around Cottesbrooke to Hanging Houghton. Birds en-route included about 6 Bramblings near to Brixworth, a Woodcock along the BVW towards the Spratton Crossing, 2-3 Crossbills between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton (Gamboro' Plantation) and 2 Ravens below HH.
A visit to Brixworth Country Park provided views of 16 Lesser Redpolls by the hide, at least 2 Bramblings and another Woodcock. A walk at Harrington Airfield confirmed the continuing presence of 4+ Bramblings by the shooting wall.
In the meantime Dave Francis was completing a ringing session at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at Pitsford Reservoir, the overall session providing 80 birds, with just over half of the birds being new. Ringing has helped us to confirm that this year at least 166 new Tree Sparrows have made use of the foodstuffs which is provided year-round.
New birds included a Moorhen, 3 Redwings, 6 Blackbirds, 4 Yellowhammers, 6 Tree Sparrows and 10 Greenfinches.
Egrets noted south of the causeway this afternoon included four Little and two Great Whites.
Regards
Neil M
Monday 25 November 2013
Pitsford WeBs Count
Hello
Today was taken up completing the monthly count of water-birds present at Pitsford Reservoir.
Three or four Great White Egrets were again present - it still has not been possible to see all suspected four birds at the same time! One showed particularly well just off the causeway this afternoon, causing a small gathering of curious on-lookers taking photos. Possibly as many as 15 Little Egrets were present.
Good numbers of waterfowl were present, the highlights being 11 Goosanders, a drake Smew (Holcot Bay), a Black-necked Grebe (near yacht club), 10 Pintail and 24 Red-crested Pochard (plus an extraordinary drake RC Pochard x Mallard hybrid)! Less authentic species included the Bar-headed Goose still and three Black Swans.
Waders were well-represented - a single Black-tailed Godwit, 4-5 Redshank, 40 Snipe, a Grey Plover and a Common Sandpiper.
Other birds included an adult female Peregrine, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, two Kingfishers, 12 redpoll sp, a couple of Siskins, a Grey Wagtail and a Chiffchaff. One of the adult Great Black-backed Gulls present has learnt to catch fish by diving in to the shallows in a similar manner to a Gannet - the Scaldwell Bay is its usual fishing haunt.
One of the many Little Grebes present suffered predation in the jaws of a large Pike in the Pintail Bay - probably a regular but rarely witnessed event. The Little Grebe clearly saw the underwater predator because it was sounding the alarm and tried to take evasive action but to no avail.
Regards
Eleanor & Neil
Today was taken up completing the monthly count of water-birds present at Pitsford Reservoir.
Three or four Great White Egrets were again present - it still has not been possible to see all suspected four birds at the same time! One showed particularly well just off the causeway this afternoon, causing a small gathering of curious on-lookers taking photos. Possibly as many as 15 Little Egrets were present.
Good numbers of waterfowl were present, the highlights being 11 Goosanders, a drake Smew (Holcot Bay), a Black-necked Grebe (near yacht club), 10 Pintail and 24 Red-crested Pochard (plus an extraordinary drake RC Pochard x Mallard hybrid)! Less authentic species included the Bar-headed Goose still and three Black Swans.
Waders were well-represented - a single Black-tailed Godwit, 4-5 Redshank, 40 Snipe, a Grey Plover and a Common Sandpiper.
Other birds included an adult female Peregrine, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, two Kingfishers, 12 redpoll sp, a couple of Siskins, a Grey Wagtail and a Chiffchaff. One of the adult Great Black-backed Gulls present has learnt to catch fish by diving in to the shallows in a similar manner to a Gannet - the Scaldwell Bay is its usual fishing haunt.
One of the many Little Grebes present suffered predation in the jaws of a large Pike in the Pintail Bay - probably a regular but rarely witnessed event. The Little Grebe clearly saw the underwater predator because it was sounding the alarm and tried to take evasive action but to no avail.
Regards
Eleanor & Neil
Red Fox and escort!
First year Great Crested Grebe
Lapwing
Drake Teal
Bar-headed Goose
Cormorant
Drake Smew
Great White Egret
Little Egret
Little and Large!
Vanity is a terrible thing -
he/she clearly admires the reflection!
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