Hello
Garden birds here at Hanging Houghton this morning included three Reed Buntings and a Brambling.
This afternoon and a foray around the Harrington Airfield complex provided views of a female Merlin, a couple of Red Kites and 20 Bramblings. Skylarks had either increased in number or were simply more obvious both visually and vocally today, there perhaps being no coincidence that a Merlin was there too!
The Great Northern Diver was again visible from the dam at Pitsford Reservoir late this afternoon.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Thursday 20 February 2014
Wednesday 19 February 2014
Ancient Great Tit
Hello
Yesterday (Tuesday), and Eleanor saw two Otters again at Market Harborough on the River Welland next to Sainsbury's.
A mid-week ringing session at Pitsford Res at two sites (Old Scaldwell Road and Christies Copse) provided an opportunity of catching and assessing 124 birds. The weather conditions have meant it has been impossible for sustained ringing operations but the relatively still and dull conditions today provided an opportunity to utilise mist nets. There were no surprising species, but the catch included five Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 11 Tree Sparrows, 5 Reed Buntings and common tits and finches.
For me, the most interesting bird was a re-trap Great Tit. This bird was first ringed at the reservoir by The Lodge in December 2007 when it was aged as a bird hatched that year. Today it was located at Christies Copse - this bird now being six and a half years old.
A couple of Siskins were around Christies Copse and a rabbit-sized Muntjac confirmed that they breed all-year-round on site.
The Great Northern Diver was visible off the dam at Pitsford this afternoon, as was a Kingfisher and an adult Yellow-legged Gull. A Grey Wagtail was again at Brixworth Sewer Works and Harrington Airfield hosted 20 Bramblings, 2 Ravens and a pair of Grey Partridge this morning.
Regards
Neil M
Yesterday (Tuesday), and Eleanor saw two Otters again at Market Harborough on the River Welland next to Sainsbury's.
A mid-week ringing session at Pitsford Res at two sites (Old Scaldwell Road and Christies Copse) provided an opportunity of catching and assessing 124 birds. The weather conditions have meant it has been impossible for sustained ringing operations but the relatively still and dull conditions today provided an opportunity to utilise mist nets. There were no surprising species, but the catch included five Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 11 Tree Sparrows, 5 Reed Buntings and common tits and finches.
For me, the most interesting bird was a re-trap Great Tit. This bird was first ringed at the reservoir by The Lodge in December 2007 when it was aged as a bird hatched that year. Today it was located at Christies Copse - this bird now being six and a half years old.
A couple of Siskins were around Christies Copse and a rabbit-sized Muntjac confirmed that they breed all-year-round on site.
The Great Northern Diver was visible off the dam at Pitsford this afternoon, as was a Kingfisher and an adult Yellow-legged Gull. A Grey Wagtail was again at Brixworth Sewer Works and Harrington Airfield hosted 20 Bramblings, 2 Ravens and a pair of Grey Partridge this morning.
Regards
Neil M
Monday 17 February 2014
Not long 'til Spring now!
Hello
A day of consolidation was required with plenty of odd-jobs around the house this morning. A furtive Goldcrest inspected the now three still-live potted Christmas trees that adorn the garden and three Common Buzzards in the field behind us were very noisy and seemed to be involved in a bit of a 'domestic dispute'.
A brief visit to feed the birds at Harrington Airfield was sufficient to witness a big hike in the Brambling numbers, with 25 birds counted just after 2pm.
A single Red Kite sauntered over Maidwell village, half a dozen flighty redpoll sp were in Brixworth Country Park and a Barn Owl and two Ravens were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.
Finally the Great Northern Diver at Pitsford Res was viewed off the Holly Bush late this afternoon but my efforts at finding a storm-driven pelagic gull in the roost drew a blank!
Regards
Neil M
A day of consolidation was required with plenty of odd-jobs around the house this morning. A furtive Goldcrest inspected the now three still-live potted Christmas trees that adorn the garden and three Common Buzzards in the field behind us were very noisy and seemed to be involved in a bit of a 'domestic dispute'.
A brief visit to feed the birds at Harrington Airfield was sufficient to witness a big hike in the Brambling numbers, with 25 birds counted just after 2pm.
A single Red Kite sauntered over Maidwell village, half a dozen flighty redpoll sp were in Brixworth Country Park and a Barn Owl and two Ravens were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.
Finally the Great Northern Diver at Pitsford Res was viewed off the Holly Bush late this afternoon but my efforts at finding a storm-driven pelagic gull in the roost drew a blank!
Regards
Neil M
Sunday 16 February 2014
Gloucestershire attractions!
Hello
Today was another day out in Gloucestershire, the initial venue for our small crew being a small valley in the south of the county which is currently hosting a wintering Red-flanked Bluetail. This little star was on show as soon as we arrived and although he didn't come as close as we would have liked, his Redstart-like behaviour, tail flicking, sharp call and apricot-coloured flanks with a blue fore-wing and tail ensured it was a pleasure to behold. In the strong sunshine he was sub-songing, albeit that the rush of the nearby water meant we couldn't hear what it sounded like.
A couple of Ravens and a singing Grey Wagtail were the best of the rest and after some brunch we decided to spend the rest of the day at the Wildfowl and Wetlands reserve at Slimbridge.
The winter sunshine continued as we panned through very large numbers of Lapwing, Golden Plover and other waders on the wet meadows and dumbles, and checked the grazing geese to locate Eurasian White-fronted and a single Tundra Bean. Raptors included Sparrowhawk, several Common Buzzards and a marauding Peregrine. A couple of Common Cranes strode the dumbles between the hides and the River Severn and scarcer waders included Little Stint and Avocet.
The pens or paddocks holding the pinioned and captive waterfowl are always interesting and our experience included hand-feeding captive Smew, photographing potential vagrants to the UK and studying exotic water-birds from all over the world. Some North American River Otters were on show in one pen (a close relative to our Otters).
More wild bird birding was good for a variety of common birds, particularly with plenty of feeders bringing them in nice and close. A couple of Cetti's Warblers were both showy and vocal.
We finished the day by watching plenty of waterfowl coming in to the afternoon feeding session, although not as many Bewick's Swans arrived as we had hoped.
Nevertheless a super end to another great day's birding!
Regards
Neil M
Today was another day out in Gloucestershire, the initial venue for our small crew being a small valley in the south of the county which is currently hosting a wintering Red-flanked Bluetail. This little star was on show as soon as we arrived and although he didn't come as close as we would have liked, his Redstart-like behaviour, tail flicking, sharp call and apricot-coloured flanks with a blue fore-wing and tail ensured it was a pleasure to behold. In the strong sunshine he was sub-songing, albeit that the rush of the nearby water meant we couldn't hear what it sounded like.
A couple of Ravens and a singing Grey Wagtail were the best of the rest and after some brunch we decided to spend the rest of the day at the Wildfowl and Wetlands reserve at Slimbridge.
The winter sunshine continued as we panned through very large numbers of Lapwing, Golden Plover and other waders on the wet meadows and dumbles, and checked the grazing geese to locate Eurasian White-fronted and a single Tundra Bean. Raptors included Sparrowhawk, several Common Buzzards and a marauding Peregrine. A couple of Common Cranes strode the dumbles between the hides and the River Severn and scarcer waders included Little Stint and Avocet.
The pens or paddocks holding the pinioned and captive waterfowl are always interesting and our experience included hand-feeding captive Smew, photographing potential vagrants to the UK and studying exotic water-birds from all over the world. Some North American River Otters were on show in one pen (a close relative to our Otters).
More wild bird birding was good for a variety of common birds, particularly with plenty of feeders bringing them in nice and close. A couple of Cetti's Warblers were both showy and vocal.
We finished the day by watching plenty of waterfowl coming in to the afternoon feeding session, although not as many Bewick's Swans arrived as we had hoped.
Nevertheless a super end to another great day's birding!
Regards
Neil M
Raven
Bewick's Swan
Captive female Lesser Scaup.
A bird yet to be recorded in
Northamptonshire, and surely
a hot contender as the next
addition to the county list?
Rook
Drake Pintail
Sunny Sunday !!
Hello
A day of wall to wall sunshine made a pleasant change from the recent rain. Consequently I spent most of my day outside. I started at Harrington Airfield where the birds were waiting to be fed. At the moment the numbers of birds visiting mean that we feed every day.
At one point this morning there was a myriad of colours as Reed Buntings, Yellowhammers, Chaffinches, Robins, Blackbirds, Redwings, Woodpigeons, and at least 10 Brambling fed side by side.
There were a pair of Grey Partridge at the end of the track and several Common Buzzards loafing around the bunkers.
I didn't see anything else until I spent a hour loitering along the track waiting for Tor, our new boy, to come back from his foray following his nose. This enforced wait produced 2 Ravens, 2 Red Kites, a Grey Wagtail and at least 4 Lesser Redpolls.
Whilst in the garden the air was filled by the mew of the Common Buzzards, evocative calls of the Red Kites and the baritone calls of the Ravens. These birds may have been the ones seen earlier at Harrington.
Late this afternoon I took a good walk around the Blueberry area and saw more of the same, 2 Ravens, 3 Red Kites, 10+ Common Buzzards, plus a female Peregrine whom I often bump into.
There were also 2 Barn Owl, but no sign of the Stonechats which may have moved on. But it was really just nice to be out and about !
Regards
Eleanor
A day of wall to wall sunshine made a pleasant change from the recent rain. Consequently I spent most of my day outside. I started at Harrington Airfield where the birds were waiting to be fed. At the moment the numbers of birds visiting mean that we feed every day.
At one point this morning there was a myriad of colours as Reed Buntings, Yellowhammers, Chaffinches, Robins, Blackbirds, Redwings, Woodpigeons, and at least 10 Brambling fed side by side.
There were a pair of Grey Partridge at the end of the track and several Common Buzzards loafing around the bunkers.
I didn't see anything else until I spent a hour loitering along the track waiting for Tor, our new boy, to come back from his foray following his nose. This enforced wait produced 2 Ravens, 2 Red Kites, a Grey Wagtail and at least 4 Lesser Redpolls.
Whilst in the garden the air was filled by the mew of the Common Buzzards, evocative calls of the Red Kites and the baritone calls of the Ravens. These birds may have been the ones seen earlier at Harrington.
Late this afternoon I took a good walk around the Blueberry area and saw more of the same, 2 Ravens, 3 Red Kites, 10+ Common Buzzards, plus a female Peregrine whom I often bump into.
There were also 2 Barn Owl, but no sign of the Stonechats which may have moved on. But it was really just nice to be out and about !
Regards
Eleanor
Saturday 15 February 2014
Winter storm birding
Hello
This morning was taken up squelching through a variety of sites topping up the feeders at our wild bird feed stations. The lengthy and very powerful storms of last night have caused a great deal of tree damage locally, many of the toppled trees hanging against others.
Late morning saw seven Bramblings feeding on the seed at Harrington Airfield and a Red Kite sauntering over nearby fields.
This afternoon a large flock of c100 Yellowhammers were feeding in a field near Pitsford Res, and it was great to see them feeding with good numbers of Skylarks, Linnets and other birds - just as we used to see it thirty years ago!
At Pitsford Res the resilience of the breeding Cormorants continues to be tested, the south-west gales blowing straight in to their tree colony. However fifteen nests were still occupied this afternoon - they are obviously as tough as they look. They certainly coped better than one of the observation hides which lost it's roof wholesale!
Despite spending the rest of the day at Pitsford Res I struggled to find much of note. Five Goosanders flew in to the Scaldwell Bay but scanning in the vicinity of the dam and subsequent gull roost provided nothing new.
Eleanor witnessed a Great White Egret and a Little Egret flying over the main causeway in a southerly direction at about 4.30pm and Neil H notched up two Little Egrets and the Bar-headed Goose south of the causeway this morning.
Regards
Neil M
This morning was taken up squelching through a variety of sites topping up the feeders at our wild bird feed stations. The lengthy and very powerful storms of last night have caused a great deal of tree damage locally, many of the toppled trees hanging against others.
Late morning saw seven Bramblings feeding on the seed at Harrington Airfield and a Red Kite sauntering over nearby fields.
This afternoon a large flock of c100 Yellowhammers were feeding in a field near Pitsford Res, and it was great to see them feeding with good numbers of Skylarks, Linnets and other birds - just as we used to see it thirty years ago!
At Pitsford Res the resilience of the breeding Cormorants continues to be tested, the south-west gales blowing straight in to their tree colony. However fifteen nests were still occupied this afternoon - they are obviously as tough as they look. They certainly coped better than one of the observation hides which lost it's roof wholesale!
Despite spending the rest of the day at Pitsford Res I struggled to find much of note. Five Goosanders flew in to the Scaldwell Bay but scanning in the vicinity of the dam and subsequent gull roost provided nothing new.
Eleanor witnessed a Great White Egret and a Little Egret flying over the main causeway in a southerly direction at about 4.30pm and Neil H notched up two Little Egrets and the Bar-headed Goose south of the causeway this morning.
Regards
Neil M
Little Grebe
Pitsford Res
Mute Swan
Pitsford Res
Not taken today, but a deserved
splash of colour and contrast courtesy
of Jan Devito with her image of a
Marbled White butterfly at
High Wood from a couple of
years ago.
Friday 14 February 2014
Rain birds!
Hello
Plenty of wind and rain again today, just for a change!
Three Bramblings were visible at Harrington Airfield at lunch-time and c60 Golden Plovers were seen in flight there.
At Pitsford Res, a Red Kite was just west of the Walgrave Bay this morning and this afternoon the Great Northern Diver was fishing at the mouth of the Yacht Bay and an adult Mediterranean Gull appeared amongst the gulls coming in to roost.
Regards
Neil M
Plenty of wind and rain again today, just for a change!
Three Bramblings were visible at Harrington Airfield at lunch-time and c60 Golden Plovers were seen in flight there.
At Pitsford Res, a Red Kite was just west of the Walgrave Bay this morning and this afternoon the Great Northern Diver was fishing at the mouth of the Yacht Bay and an adult Mediterranean Gull appeared amongst the gulls coming in to roost.
Regards
Neil M
Pied Wagtail
Pitsford Res
Thursday 13 February 2014
Pitsford Reservoir Wildlife and Habitat update
Hello
A Pitsford Reservoir Team Meeting was chaired by the wardens Sarah and Mischa this evening, providing an opportunity of learning the results of some of the recent wildlife monitoring and habitat management processes. Some points are summarised below:-
Regards
Neil M
A Pitsford Reservoir Team Meeting was chaired by the wardens Sarah and Mischa this evening, providing an opportunity of learning the results of some of the recent wildlife monitoring and habitat management processes. Some points are summarised below:-
- Quite significant tree damage has occurred on the reserve due to the winter storms, with several of the mature poplars in the Scaldwell Bay having collapsed;
- Another sixty or so trees around the reserve will require remedial work for safety reasons;
- Following an innovative design and airing at the recent BTO Conference by Dave Francis, further Treecreeper nest boxes will be erected and adopted as part of a national survey;
- In excess of 22,000 individual moths were captured and released in the nightly moth traps during 2013. This included 288 different species which is above the average for the site and included five new species for Pitsford;
- On-going long-term algae survey work by Chris Carter continues to locate interesting blooms in a variety of habitats associated with open water, ponds and back-waters, and Frances Hicks has collated all the records of local Bryophytes associated with the reserve, this programme commencing in the early 1990s;
- The monitoring of insects and similar small creatures has identified 13 species of Harvestmen, 49 species of Caddis Fly and 10 species of ant utilising the reserve;
- A Grass Snake survey using strategically placed reptile refuges will continue, mostly in the Holcot Bay, and has produced reasonable numbers of individuals habitually using these warm-up shelters;
- Breeding Bird Surveys have been conducted consistently since 1994 and this project is now providing medium-term data trends and an opportunity for meaningful analysis.
Regards
Neil M
Harrington update
Hello
Eleanor spent a couple of hours wandering at Harrington Airfield this morning and at least 14 Bramblings were on the feed at the concrete entrance off the Draughton Road. A couple of Tree Sparrows have joined the throng during the last few days. Other birds noted at Harrington Airfield included a pair of Grey Partridge, two Red Kites, two Ravens and a female Peregrine.
Regards
Neil M
Eleanor spent a couple of hours wandering at Harrington Airfield this morning and at least 14 Bramblings were on the feed at the concrete entrance off the Draughton Road. A couple of Tree Sparrows have joined the throng during the last few days. Other birds noted at Harrington Airfield included a pair of Grey Partridge, two Red Kites, two Ravens and a female Peregrine.
Regards
Neil M
Wednesday 12 February 2014
Gale force birding
Hello
In interesting weather conditions today, joint birding and wild bird feeding station maintenance was accompanied with sunshine, rain (plenty of it), hail, sleet and violent gales! Despite these conditions, no storm-driven birds could be located at Pitsford Res.
A walk around Sywell Country Park with the precipitation coming violently horizontal was interesting, the only birds of note being a pair of Smew (about noon). Still the dogs enjoyed the outing and they virtually had the whole place to themselves!
A few Siskin were noted at Hanging Houghton and Kelmarsh Hall and a Grey Wagtail was accompanied by a few Meadow Pipits in water-logged fields near Brixworth Sewer Works.
This morning there was a pair of Raven in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and a Grey Wagtail was at Draughton Pond, which continues to host good numbers of wildfowl particularly Wigeon and Teal.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
In interesting weather conditions today, joint birding and wild bird feeding station maintenance was accompanied with sunshine, rain (plenty of it), hail, sleet and violent gales! Despite these conditions, no storm-driven birds could be located at Pitsford Res.
A walk around Sywell Country Park with the precipitation coming violently horizontal was interesting, the only birds of note being a pair of Smew (about noon). Still the dogs enjoyed the outing and they virtually had the whole place to themselves!
A few Siskin were noted at Hanging Houghton and Kelmarsh Hall and a Grey Wagtail was accompanied by a few Meadow Pipits in water-logged fields near Brixworth Sewer Works.
This morning there was a pair of Raven in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and a Grey Wagtail was at Draughton Pond, which continues to host good numbers of wildfowl particularly Wigeon and Teal.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Bird Ringing Demonstration
Hello
Some advance notice that on Sunday 23rd February there is a planned wild bird ringing demonstration at Stanwick Lakes, which is part of the Stanwick Gravel Pits complex off the A45 between Higham Ferrers and Thrapston. This event is weather-dependent and with luck the constant strong winds and rain will have subsided by then!
The event is a team effort between the rangers on-site and members of the Northants Ringing Group, and on the day we will be led by Ian Wrisdale who is also the leader of the very active Mid-Nene RSPB group.
It is anticipated that most of the birds will be common birds of the Northants countryside, with a blend of species more akin to aquatic habitats. More details will follow as we progress nearer the day and everyone is invited to attend and to witness exactly what bird ringing is about, what it hopes to achieve and also observe our feathered friends up close and personal.
Regards
Neil M
Some advance notice that on Sunday 23rd February there is a planned wild bird ringing demonstration at Stanwick Lakes, which is part of the Stanwick Gravel Pits complex off the A45 between Higham Ferrers and Thrapston. This event is weather-dependent and with luck the constant strong winds and rain will have subsided by then!
The event is a team effort between the rangers on-site and members of the Northants Ringing Group, and on the day we will be led by Ian Wrisdale who is also the leader of the very active Mid-Nene RSPB group.
It is anticipated that most of the birds will be common birds of the Northants countryside, with a blend of species more akin to aquatic habitats. More details will follow as we progress nearer the day and everyone is invited to attend and to witness exactly what bird ringing is about, what it hopes to achieve and also observe our feathered friends up close and personal.
Regards
Neil M
Monday 10 February 2014
Stortons Ringing
Hello
I wasn't the only one out ringing today. With the comparative lull in the weather before the next onslaught, John Woollett and team undertook a ringing session at Stortons Gravel Pits today.
Eighty-three birds were caught including many new arrivals. Species included Great Spotted Woodpecker and lots of Reed Buntings, Goldfinches and Greenfinches and a good selection of other common birds. Much of the influx of new birds was made up of Reed Buntings; the ringing team here have come to expect this at about this time. A Chiffchaff was noted on-site.
Regards
Neil M
I wasn't the only one out ringing today. With the comparative lull in the weather before the next onslaught, John Woollett and team undertook a ringing session at Stortons Gravel Pits today.
Eighty-three birds were caught including many new arrivals. Species included Great Spotted Woodpecker and lots of Reed Buntings, Goldfinches and Greenfinches and a good selection of other common birds. Much of the influx of new birds was made up of Reed Buntings; the ringing team here have come to expect this at about this time. A Chiffchaff was noted on-site.
Regards
Neil M
The calm before yet another storm...
Hello
Another period of ringing was undertaken at Sunderland Wood on the Kelmarsh Estate today. Sixty birds of 12 species were caught and assessed in pleasant spring-like conditions. These included iconic woodland species such as Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Marsh Tit.
At least two Bramblings were with other birds on the seed at Harrington Airfield this afternoon and the Great Northern Diver at Pitsford Res was fishing in the mouth of the Yacht Bay late this afternoon.
Eleanor and Neil
Another period of ringing was undertaken at Sunderland Wood on the Kelmarsh Estate today. Sixty birds of 12 species were caught and assessed in pleasant spring-like conditions. These included iconic woodland species such as Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Marsh Tit.
At least two Bramblings were with other birds on the seed at Harrington Airfield this afternoon and the Great Northern Diver at Pitsford Res was fishing in the mouth of the Yacht Bay late this afternoon.
Eleanor and Neil
Sunday 9 February 2014
Bramblings
Hello
Little opportunity of birding today but I enjoyed some decent fresh air whilst servicing five of our wild bird feeding stations this morning.
I spent several minutes watching the broadcast seed at Harrington Airfield and it didn't take long for the myriad of colours to start blending as gorgeous male Yellowhammers fed alongside the pinks of male Chaffinches, greens of male Greenfinches and blacks and browns of the male and female Blackbirds. More sombre colours were provided by Dunnocks, Reed Buntings and Pied Wagtails but of course the centre-stage birds were twelve Bramblings with that unique and stunning vivid orange, most striking in the males.
Regards
Neil M
Little opportunity of birding today but I enjoyed some decent fresh air whilst servicing five of our wild bird feeding stations this morning.
I spent several minutes watching the broadcast seed at Harrington Airfield and it didn't take long for the myriad of colours to start blending as gorgeous male Yellowhammers fed alongside the pinks of male Chaffinches, greens of male Greenfinches and blacks and browns of the male and female Blackbirds. More sombre colours were provided by Dunnocks, Reed Buntings and Pied Wagtails but of course the centre-stage birds were twelve Bramblings with that unique and stunning vivid orange, most striking in the males.
Regards
Neil M
Saturday 8 February 2014
Gale force birds!
Hello
An excursion to Blueberry Farm near Maidwell this afternoon provided views of birds moving fast in the very strong wind and included a pair of Raven, a Red Kite and the regular female Peregrine.
At Pitsford Res this afternoon the Great Northern Diver was seen in flight and splashing down in to the waves in the main basin and later seen fishing towards the mouth of the Pintail Bay. An adult Mediterranean Gull was present in the gull roost off the yacht club.
Regards
E & N
An excursion to Blueberry Farm near Maidwell this afternoon provided views of birds moving fast in the very strong wind and included a pair of Raven, a Red Kite and the regular female Peregrine.
At Pitsford Res this afternoon the Great Northern Diver was seen in flight and splashing down in to the waves in the main basin and later seen fishing towards the mouth of the Pintail Bay. An adult Mediterranean Gull was present in the gull roost off the yacht club.
Regards
E & N
Common Gull
Cormorants in breeding
plumage
Pitsford update
Hello
A meander around the reservoir at Pitsford this morning produced some birds of interest. The Great Northern Diver was seen in flight and it splashed down near to the dam. A Great White Egret was mostly concealed in willow bushes in the Moulton Grange Bay as were three Goosander and three Little Egrets. Gary Burrows saw the drake Scaup but we couldn't find it and I assume it had found a nice bay to shelter from the increasingly strong gale!
A female Merlin was seen a couple of times, a Jack Snipe, a fourth Little Egret and six Smew were all south of the causeway (a pair near the Holly Tree and four concealed under willows in the Catwalk Bay). Another two Smew were in the Holcot Bay, making a total of eight birds present today. A pair of Red-crested Pochard were visible in the Walgrave Bay and the Bar-headed Goose was reported. A couple of Grey Wagtails and wind-blown redpoll sp were south of the causeway.
Elsewhere, a Brambling and a Red Kite were noted at Hanging Houghton and there were two Bramblings on the seed at Harrington Airfield, albeit that the feeding area was somewhat wind-blasted!
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
A meander around the reservoir at Pitsford this morning produced some birds of interest. The Great Northern Diver was seen in flight and it splashed down near to the dam. A Great White Egret was mostly concealed in willow bushes in the Moulton Grange Bay as were three Goosander and three Little Egrets. Gary Burrows saw the drake Scaup but we couldn't find it and I assume it had found a nice bay to shelter from the increasingly strong gale!
A female Merlin was seen a couple of times, a Jack Snipe, a fourth Little Egret and six Smew were all south of the causeway (a pair near the Holly Tree and four concealed under willows in the Catwalk Bay). Another two Smew were in the Holcot Bay, making a total of eight birds present today. A pair of Red-crested Pochard were visible in the Walgrave Bay and the Bar-headed Goose was reported. A couple of Grey Wagtails and wind-blown redpoll sp were south of the causeway.
Elsewhere, a Brambling and a Red Kite were noted at Hanging Houghton and there were two Bramblings on the seed at Harrington Airfield, albeit that the feeding area was somewhat wind-blasted!
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Friday 7 February 2014
Siskins and tits
Hello
Yesterday (Thursday), and a walk around Sywell Country Park provided a flock of c50 Siskins, but nothing else of note.
Today (Friday) and about c6 Siskins were around the village here at Hanging Houghton. At Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this afternoon, the birds included 2 Red Kites, 2 Ravens and a female Peregrine.
A ringing session at Sunderland Wood on the Kelmarsh Estate this afternoon provided a capture of 63 birds, 48 of which were new. One of the first Blue Tits processed was a bird first ringed at Hanging Houghton in September last year. Blue Tits and Great Tits made up the bulk of the captured birds, the vast majority of these tits being birds hatched just last year.
Other birds caught and ringed included 3 Coal Tits, 5 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Treecreepers, a Bullfinch and a couple of Chaffinches. A couple of Sparrowhawks were racing around the wood and other sightings included a Siskin and 2 Woodcock.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Yesterday (Thursday), and a walk around Sywell Country Park provided a flock of c50 Siskins, but nothing else of note.
Today (Friday) and about c6 Siskins were around the village here at Hanging Houghton. At Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this afternoon, the birds included 2 Red Kites, 2 Ravens and a female Peregrine.
A ringing session at Sunderland Wood on the Kelmarsh Estate this afternoon provided a capture of 63 birds, 48 of which were new. One of the first Blue Tits processed was a bird first ringed at Hanging Houghton in September last year. Blue Tits and Great Tits made up the bulk of the captured birds, the vast majority of these tits being birds hatched just last year.
Other birds caught and ringed included 3 Coal Tits, 5 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Treecreepers, a Bullfinch and a couple of Chaffinches. A couple of Sparrowhawks were racing around the wood and other sightings included a Siskin and 2 Woodcock.
Regards
Eleanor and Neil
Wednesday 5 February 2014
Moulton Grange Bay
Hello
Scanning the Moulton Grange Bay at Pitsford Res this morning confirmed the continuing present of one Great White Egret. Other birds included two Little Egrets and a drake Goosander. The gull roost off the yacht club later in the day was unremarkable. In a windy and difficult day for birding, the only other bird of note was a Grey Wagtail at Brixworth Sewer Works.
Regards
Neil M
Scanning the Moulton Grange Bay at Pitsford Res this morning confirmed the continuing present of one Great White Egret. Other birds included two Little Egrets and a drake Goosander. The gull roost off the yacht club later in the day was unremarkable. In a windy and difficult day for birding, the only other bird of note was a Grey Wagtail at Brixworth Sewer Works.
Regards
Neil M
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