Hello
This morning was dominated by an unprecedented passage of Common Buzzards over Harrington Airfield, first noticed at about 9am. An estimated hundred birds moved south in an hour, most of them skirting down the western edge of the complex and heading towards the Brampton Valley. 'Kettles' of birds included 18 at a time and on one horizontal scan it was possible to see 50 birds in the air at the same time. Although Common Buzzard passage has developed over the last ten years as the population has increased, this seems unusual inasmuch that it is very early in the autumn when many begging juveniles are clearly still reliant on the hunting skills of their parents to sustain them. Whether these birds are from further afield or are failed breeders etc is pure speculation but a remarkable local record in any event.
Other birds of note included c6 Red Kites, an adult male Merlin flying south at 9.15am, the 'cream crown' Marsh Harrier again and a Redstart on the airstrip between the chippings compound and first bunker.
At Pitsford Res this morning, three Red-crested Pochard were on show in the Scaldwell Bay which also hosted an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1-2 Common Sandpiper(s) and a Hobby.
Regards
Neil M
Saturday 23 August 2014
Lamport migration
Hello
Eleanor toured the fields adjacent to Lamport Hall this morning and there was plenty of obvious migration on the go with a Spotted Flycatcher and an adult male Redstart in an old hedge, a Tree Pipit flying over in a south-east direction, a Grey Wagtail flying south-west and two Crossbills flying in to trees in the hall grounds.
Regards
Neil M
Eleanor toured the fields adjacent to Lamport Hall this morning and there was plenty of obvious migration on the go with a Spotted Flycatcher and an adult male Redstart in an old hedge, a Tree Pipit flying over in a south-east direction, a Grey Wagtail flying south-west and two Crossbills flying in to trees in the hall grounds.
Regards
Neil M
Friday 22 August 2014
Martins and wagtails
Hello
An evening conducting some bird ringing near to the dam at Pitsford Res led to the capture and ringing of a Swallow, a House Martin, three Sand Martins, two Pied Wagtails, a Yellow Wagtail and singles of Robin, Linnet, Goldfinch and Moorhen. Three Grey Wagtails, about a dozen Yellow Wagtails and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were in the same area and earlier four Red-crested Pochard and two Common Sandpipers were noted in the Scaldwell Bay.
Regards
Neil M
An evening conducting some bird ringing near to the dam at Pitsford Res led to the capture and ringing of a Swallow, a House Martin, three Sand Martins, two Pied Wagtails, a Yellow Wagtail and singles of Robin, Linnet, Goldfinch and Moorhen. Three Grey Wagtails, about a dozen Yellow Wagtails and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were in the same area and earlier four Red-crested Pochard and two Common Sandpipers were noted in the Scaldwell Bay.
Regards
Neil M
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| Sand Martin |
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| House Martin All images courtesy of Chris Payne. |
Harrington Friday morning
Hello
A circuit around Harrington Airfield this morning was pleasant with a warmish autumnal breeze and lazy sunshine.
A Meadow Pipit was likely to have been a migrant and no doubt the precursor to the usual large movements in most autumns of this species through the county.
Small numbers of common warblers were busy in the bushes and an elusive Redstart was on the old airstrip in bushes between the second and third bunkers. Up to eight Red Kites patrolled the skies and the two Ravens enjoyed a little skirmish with a couple of them.
Regards
Neil M
A circuit around Harrington Airfield this morning was pleasant with a warmish autumnal breeze and lazy sunshine.
A Meadow Pipit was likely to have been a migrant and no doubt the precursor to the usual large movements in most autumns of this species through the county.
Small numbers of common warblers were busy in the bushes and an elusive Redstart was on the old airstrip in bushes between the second and third bunkers. Up to eight Red Kites patrolled the skies and the two Ravens enjoyed a little skirmish with a couple of them.
Regards
Neil M
Thursday's birds
Hello
Apologies for the late posting which refers to birds on Thursday 21st Aug...
A ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res in the morning followed on from efforts the previous evening and resulted in the total capture of 90 birds. This total included a female Sparrowhawk, three Kingfishers, 13 Wrens, 10 Bullfinches, 9 Robins, 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 9 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Garden Warblers, a Reed Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher. Extra birds caught near the dam during the evening included 5 House Martins, a Sand Martin, a Swallow and a Pied Wagtail.
A Hobby was in the Scaldwell Bay this morning and there was one worrying the martins by the dam in the evening. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was the only larid of interest.
Harrington Airfield in the morning hosted two Ravens and two Turtle Doves and there were again two Ravens around Hanging Houghton village.
Regards
Neil M
Apologies for the late posting which refers to birds on Thursday 21st Aug...
A ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res in the morning followed on from efforts the previous evening and resulted in the total capture of 90 birds. This total included a female Sparrowhawk, three Kingfishers, 13 Wrens, 10 Bullfinches, 9 Robins, 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 9 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Garden Warblers, a Reed Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher. Extra birds caught near the dam during the evening included 5 House Martins, a Sand Martin, a Swallow and a Pied Wagtail.
A Hobby was in the Scaldwell Bay this morning and there was one worrying the martins by the dam in the evening. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was the only larid of interest.
Harrington Airfield in the morning hosted two Ravens and two Turtle Doves and there were again two Ravens around Hanging Houghton village.
Regards
Neil M
Wednesday 20 August 2014
Migration is back on!
Hello
Today was the first day of several planned days of bird ringing at Pitsford Reservoir, extending in to the week-end.
The initial session was in the Walgrave Bay and then at locations in the Scaldwell Bay and at the Old Scaldwell Road by Maytrees Hide in the late afternoon/evening.
Eighty birds were processed in the Walgrave Bay with no surprises but some good numbers of common warblers and tits in particular. It was a similar story in the back of the Scaldwell Bay, but with the Old Scaldwell Road location also producing three new Moorhens and a Yellow Wagtail.
An Osprey fished the reserve for over thirty minutes from 5pm, before finally catching it's trout supper!
Other birds noted included at least four Red-crested Pochard, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, several Little Egrets, the two Black Swans still pus a Grey Wagtail and a Tree Pipit over. A Wheatear was on adjacent farmland to the west of the Walgrave Bay.
At Harrington Airfield this morning there were two Wheatears but little else.
This afternoon there was an apparent fall of migrants in the Brampton Valley and in particular around Blueberry Farm which hosted three Redstarts (including two stunning males), two Whinchats and a Tree Pipit on the ground. Raptors included the same summering cream-crown Marsh Harrier and the seemingly now regular female Peregrine. Two further Whinchats were in a field near to the Brampton Valley Way below Hanging Houghton village.
Regards
Neil M
Today was the first day of several planned days of bird ringing at Pitsford Reservoir, extending in to the week-end.
The initial session was in the Walgrave Bay and then at locations in the Scaldwell Bay and at the Old Scaldwell Road by Maytrees Hide in the late afternoon/evening.
Eighty birds were processed in the Walgrave Bay with no surprises but some good numbers of common warblers and tits in particular. It was a similar story in the back of the Scaldwell Bay, but with the Old Scaldwell Road location also producing three new Moorhens and a Yellow Wagtail.
An Osprey fished the reserve for over thirty minutes from 5pm, before finally catching it's trout supper!
Other birds noted included at least four Red-crested Pochard, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, several Little Egrets, the two Black Swans still pus a Grey Wagtail and a Tree Pipit over. A Wheatear was on adjacent farmland to the west of the Walgrave Bay.
At Harrington Airfield this morning there were two Wheatears but little else.
This afternoon there was an apparent fall of migrants in the Brampton Valley and in particular around Blueberry Farm which hosted three Redstarts (including two stunning males), two Whinchats and a Tree Pipit on the ground. Raptors included the same summering cream-crown Marsh Harrier and the seemingly now regular female Peregrine. Two further Whinchats were in a field near to the Brampton Valley Way below Hanging Houghton village.
Regards
Neil M
Ravensthorpe insects...
Hello
Gary Burrows kindly forwarded some images through of some insects he located on the dam at Ravensthorpe Reservoir yesterday.
Three Clouded Yellow butterflies were finding the meadow-like conditions to their liking as were more common small butterflies...
My thanks to Gary for his colourful contribution!
Regards
Neil M
Gary Burrows kindly forwarded some images through of some insects he located on the dam at Ravensthorpe Reservoir yesterday.
Three Clouded Yellow butterflies were finding the meadow-like conditions to their liking as were more common small butterflies...
My thanks to Gary for his colourful contribution!
Regards
Neil M
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| Common Blue |
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| Common Darter |
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| Clouded Yellow |
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| Small Copper |
Tuesday 19 August 2014
Autumn lull?
Hello
The impression is that the early tempo of a busy early autumn migration has flattened out and we are possibly in something of a comparative lull.
This afternoon a Grey Wagtail was again at Brixworth Sewer Works and two Ravens were again in a sheep field on the outskirts of Hanging Houghton. A couple of Swifts were noted in my travels around South Northants.
Eleanor spent time in the Brampton Valley and Harrington Airfield today but struggled to find anything much out of the ordinary.
Regards
Neil M
The impression is that the early tempo of a busy early autumn migration has flattened out and we are possibly in something of a comparative lull.
This afternoon a Grey Wagtail was again at Brixworth Sewer Works and two Ravens were again in a sheep field on the outskirts of Hanging Houghton. A couple of Swifts were noted in my travels around South Northants.
Eleanor spent time in the Brampton Valley and Harrington Airfield today but struggled to find anything much out of the ordinary.
Regards
Neil M
Monday 18 August 2014
Evening at Blueberry Farm...
Hello
Eleanor ventured out to Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this evening and saw a hunting Barn Owl and a Cuckoo.
Neil H and I were down at the yacht club at Pitsford Res this evening but the gulls et al all kept their distance. The best birds noted was a Hobby, 2 Swifts, a Little Egret and 3+ Yellow-legged Gulls (one adult). Birds caught and ringed included five House Martins and a Sand Martin.
The geese flocks were gleaning the stubble fields adjacent to the reservoir and included the Bar-headed Goose.
Regards
Neil M
Eleanor ventured out to Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this evening and saw a hunting Barn Owl and a Cuckoo.
Neil H and I were down at the yacht club at Pitsford Res this evening but the gulls et al all kept their distance. The best birds noted was a Hobby, 2 Swifts, a Little Egret and 3+ Yellow-legged Gulls (one adult). Birds caught and ringed included five House Martins and a Sand Martin.
The geese flocks were gleaning the stubble fields adjacent to the reservoir and included the Bar-headed Goose.
Regards
Neil M
Pitsford WeBs
Hello
Much of today was taken up completing the WeBs count at Pitsford Reservoir. Decent numbers of wildfowl and other water-birds were present but nothing particularly remarkable was seen.
Highlights included the pair of Ruddy Shelduck still (Pintail Bay), the Bar-headed Goose, two Black Swans, six Red-crested Pochard (again two drakes in the Walgrave Bay and a drake and three females in the Scaldwell Bay), up to six Little Egrets, a couple of Hobby, c6 Common Sandpipers, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Kingfisher and 20 Yellow Wagtails.
Good numbers of Sand Martins were again feeding over the reservoir and Swallows and House Martins were moving through. Common butterflies on the wing included Small Copper.
Regards
Neil M
Much of today was taken up completing the WeBs count at Pitsford Reservoir. Decent numbers of wildfowl and other water-birds were present but nothing particularly remarkable was seen.
Highlights included the pair of Ruddy Shelduck still (Pintail Bay), the Bar-headed Goose, two Black Swans, six Red-crested Pochard (again two drakes in the Walgrave Bay and a drake and three females in the Scaldwell Bay), up to six Little Egrets, a couple of Hobby, c6 Common Sandpipers, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Kingfisher and 20 Yellow Wagtails.
Good numbers of Sand Martins were again feeding over the reservoir and Swallows and House Martins were moving through. Common butterflies on the wing included Small Copper.
Regards
Neil M
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| The wildlife subjects didn't want to be photographed today, so a couple of 'machinery' images from Pitsford Res instead! |
Sunday 17 August 2014
British Bird-watching Fair
Hello
No birding news from us today as we have been at the British Bird-watching Fair at Rutland Water and as usual spent far too much money!
As good as ever, this event has to be a big must for anyone who is interested in bird-watching and like-minded interests. Huge marquees packed with art, optics, holidays, information services, books, outdoor clothing and much more makes it easy to look at and potentially purchase items at competitive prices, to the extent that each year we often wait for the fair to buy any bird-watching commodities.
The local Nuthatches were on our garden feeders first thing this morning, but apart from a few birds at Rutland Water and plenty of Common Buzzards en-route, nothing else to report!
Regards
Neil M
No birding news from us today as we have been at the British Bird-watching Fair at Rutland Water and as usual spent far too much money!
As good as ever, this event has to be a big must for anyone who is interested in bird-watching and like-minded interests. Huge marquees packed with art, optics, holidays, information services, books, outdoor clothing and much more makes it easy to look at and potentially purchase items at competitive prices, to the extent that each year we often wait for the fair to buy any bird-watching commodities.
The local Nuthatches were on our garden feeders first thing this morning, but apart from a few birds at Rutland Water and plenty of Common Buzzards en-route, nothing else to report!
Regards
Neil M
Saturday 16 August 2014
Pitsford and the rest...
Hello
Eleanor visited Harrington Airfield this morning and again saw the 'cream-crown' Marsh Harrier. Passerines in good numbers included plenty of Whitethroat and Willow Warbler and the large mixed flock of Goldfinch and Linnet had returned. Two Ravens were also present.
With much of the day spent at Pitsford Reservoir, there was a reasonable day list of birds which included an Osprey in the Scaldwell Bay at 2.45pm, at least one Hobby, 6 Red-crested Pochard (two drakes Walgrave Bay, a drake and three females in the Scaldwell Bay), 2 Kingfishers, 3-6 Common Sandpipers, a Redshank, a Snipe, a Curlew, 4+ Little Egrets, a Bar-headed Goose, the pair of Ruddy Shelduck, 2 Black Swans, a Goldeneye, ca6 Yellow-legged Gulls (2 adults), and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull in the evening roost.
Ringing operations there today led to 102 birds being caught, perhaps the most interesting being a Green Woodpecker, a Marsh Tit, 6 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, 24 Chiffchaff, 11 Willow Warbler and 4 House Martin. Large numbers of migrant Sand Martins were whizzing over the water all day.
Nick Wood and Chris Payne were ringing at Stortons GP this morning and caught a number of warblers which included 9 Whitethroat and several each of Blackcap and Garden Warbler as well as the usual Reed Warbler. They also noted several Kingfishers and a Peregrine.
This evening two Ravens were in a sheep field at Hanging Houghton adjacent to the A508.
Regards
Neil M
Eleanor visited Harrington Airfield this morning and again saw the 'cream-crown' Marsh Harrier. Passerines in good numbers included plenty of Whitethroat and Willow Warbler and the large mixed flock of Goldfinch and Linnet had returned. Two Ravens were also present.
With much of the day spent at Pitsford Reservoir, there was a reasonable day list of birds which included an Osprey in the Scaldwell Bay at 2.45pm, at least one Hobby, 6 Red-crested Pochard (two drakes Walgrave Bay, a drake and three females in the Scaldwell Bay), 2 Kingfishers, 3-6 Common Sandpipers, a Redshank, a Snipe, a Curlew, 4+ Little Egrets, a Bar-headed Goose, the pair of Ruddy Shelduck, 2 Black Swans, a Goldeneye, ca6 Yellow-legged Gulls (2 adults), and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull in the evening roost.
Ringing operations there today led to 102 birds being caught, perhaps the most interesting being a Green Woodpecker, a Marsh Tit, 6 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, 24 Chiffchaff, 11 Willow Warbler and 4 House Martin. Large numbers of migrant Sand Martins were whizzing over the water all day.
Nick Wood and Chris Payne were ringing at Stortons GP this morning and caught a number of warblers which included 9 Whitethroat and several each of Blackcap and Garden Warbler as well as the usual Reed Warbler. They also noted several Kingfishers and a Peregrine.
This evening two Ravens were in a sheep field at Hanging Houghton adjacent to the A508.
Regards
Neil M
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| Hornets seem to be occupying several nest-boxes at Pitsford this year, this one being in Christies Copse. |
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| Eclipse and flightless drake Goldeneye Scaldwell Bay. |
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| Pitsford Reservoir looking towards the Maytrees Hide from the New James Fisher Hide. |
Friday 15 August 2014
Birds at Pitsford
Hello
Overall a quiet day for birds today. The reserve section of Pitsford Reservoir is beginning to show a significant drop in the water level so hopefully the muddy margins will increase and begin to attract some south-bound waders. Birds noted north of the causeway included a Common Sandpiper, two Little Egrets and about a dozen Yellow Wagtails.
This evening birds noted in the vicinity of the dam and yacht club at Pitsford Res included a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, four Yellow-legged Gulls, a Little Egret and a Green Sandpiper.
Regards
Neil M
Overall a quiet day for birds today. The reserve section of Pitsford Reservoir is beginning to show a significant drop in the water level so hopefully the muddy margins will increase and begin to attract some south-bound waders. Birds noted north of the causeway included a Common Sandpiper, two Little Egrets and about a dozen Yellow Wagtails.
This evening birds noted in the vicinity of the dam and yacht club at Pitsford Res included a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, four Yellow-legged Gulls, a Little Egret and a Green Sandpiper.
Regards
Neil M
Quiet at Harrington?
Hello
Eleanor has not long returned from an excursion to Harrington Airfield, but her impression was that there had been a significant shift in the transient migrants that have been present and many have left. There were still plenty of Whitethroats moving around the bushes and the agricultural activities had attracted Red Kites and a large flock of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, but few passerines of note.
However this site has a habit of luring you in to a sense of 'there's nothing here' and then some bright spark goes and find something good, so we will see what develops!
At Hanging Houghton this morning a calling Tree Pipit flew south at about 6.45am.
Regards
Neil M
Eleanor has not long returned from an excursion to Harrington Airfield, but her impression was that there had been a significant shift in the transient migrants that have been present and many have left. There were still plenty of Whitethroats moving around the bushes and the agricultural activities had attracted Red Kites and a large flock of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, but few passerines of note.
However this site has a habit of luring you in to a sense of 'there's nothing here' and then some bright spark goes and find something good, so we will see what develops!
At Hanging Houghton this morning a calling Tree Pipit flew south at about 6.45am.
Regards
Neil M
Thursday 14 August 2014
Pitsford update
Hello
Minimal birding opportunities today I'm afraid, but a family party of Spotted Flycatchers around the Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir this evening was a pleasant surprise.
The Pitsford Reservoir reserve as managed by Wildlife Trust wardens has for many years attracted a team of volunteers keen to monitor all aspects of wildlife on-site. We enjoy regular meetings, and it is a fine opportunity to share information and support one another in all aspects of wildlife disciplines.
Although a warm (and wet) summer, the numbers of moths captured and monitored on-site this year has only been about on par with average years. Two moth traps are run every night and all specimens attracted are examined, identified and released every morning. A Small Rufous moth captured on 1st August was a first for Pitsford, despite being a wetland species. A recent 'moth night' event held at The Fishing Lodge to coincide with National Moth Night was successful and well-attended, despite a very poor weather forecast.
National Moth Night for 2015 will be 12th - 15th September and again Pitsford will be holding an event on the reserve.
To date, about 1730 birds have been ringed at the reservoir this year which includes juvenile Common Terns on the rafts, juvenile Tawny Owls from the boxes, some waterfowl and of course plenty of warblers, tits etc. Ten of the required twelve Constant Effort Site sessions have been completed.
Other breeding bird monitoring requires eight Common Bird Census visits to the reserve, whereby a recorder walks a set transect around the whole of the reserve recording all relevant birds seen and heard in an effort to successfully plot breeding territories. All these CBC visits were completed by the end of July and these sheets will be scrutinised in an effort to evaluate such territories and the health of most species.
Plenty of other monitoring is on-going, which by example includes identification of freshwater plankton and the recent discovery of a very rare slime mould. Much of this activity is documented in an annual report which is due to be published this month.
To conclude, Sarah Gibbs the Senior Reserve Warden, took to the air recently on a private light aircraft flight and some of her images of Pitsford Reservoir feature as the footer to this blog (please scroll down to the bottom to view).
Regards
Neil M
Minimal birding opportunities today I'm afraid, but a family party of Spotted Flycatchers around the Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir this evening was a pleasant surprise.
The Pitsford Reservoir reserve as managed by Wildlife Trust wardens has for many years attracted a team of volunteers keen to monitor all aspects of wildlife on-site. We enjoy regular meetings, and it is a fine opportunity to share information and support one another in all aspects of wildlife disciplines.
Although a warm (and wet) summer, the numbers of moths captured and monitored on-site this year has only been about on par with average years. Two moth traps are run every night and all specimens attracted are examined, identified and released every morning. A Small Rufous moth captured on 1st August was a first for Pitsford, despite being a wetland species. A recent 'moth night' event held at The Fishing Lodge to coincide with National Moth Night was successful and well-attended, despite a very poor weather forecast.
National Moth Night for 2015 will be 12th - 15th September and again Pitsford will be holding an event on the reserve.
To date, about 1730 birds have been ringed at the reservoir this year which includes juvenile Common Terns on the rafts, juvenile Tawny Owls from the boxes, some waterfowl and of course plenty of warblers, tits etc. Ten of the required twelve Constant Effort Site sessions have been completed.
Other breeding bird monitoring requires eight Common Bird Census visits to the reserve, whereby a recorder walks a set transect around the whole of the reserve recording all relevant birds seen and heard in an effort to successfully plot breeding territories. All these CBC visits were completed by the end of July and these sheets will be scrutinised in an effort to evaluate such territories and the health of most species.
Plenty of other monitoring is on-going, which by example includes identification of freshwater plankton and the recent discovery of a very rare slime mould. Much of this activity is documented in an annual report which is due to be published this month.
To conclude, Sarah Gibbs the Senior Reserve Warden, took to the air recently on a private light aircraft flight and some of her images of Pitsford Reservoir feature as the footer to this blog (please scroll down to the bottom to view).
Regards
Neil M
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