Today at Summer Leys was more about flowers and insects than birds. There were birds present; the first brood of two LRP's hatched yesterday, not from the nest we have been watching, but from a completely unobserved one. The other pair are still incubating. A third pair may be sitting, but in an area obscured by vegetation.
A pair of Red-crested Pochard were loafing on Gull Island, but no sign of the Garganey today. The other broods are doing well, although only two Redshank chicks have been seen for the last couple of days. A single Dunlin was on Round Island.
On to the other bits and pieces. The orchids are now showing well, all four regular species (Common Spotted, Bee, Southern Marsh and Pyramidal) are now out in various locations around the reserve as well as on Mary's Lake.
A number of insects were on the wing including Four-spotted Chaser and the first Ruby-tailed Wasp, a stunning little jewel of an insect, although the one seen today wasn't at its brightest. It can been seen on the woodwork of the bridge over the Grendon Brook (as well as several other locations) which feeds into the reserve about 100yds from the car park on a clockwise circuit. Be warned though, it's only a few millimetres long, fast and easily overlooked.
Regards,
Neil H.
Iceland - 4th - 8th March 2022
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Tuesday 23 June 2015
Saturday 20 June 2015
Summer Leys
Summer Leys was situation normal this morning. The 7 Shelducklings are doing well and catching up with there parents in size. There are probably 3 baby Redshank still, now becoming more obviously Redshank as their plumage begins to change.
The pair of Garganey are still present, although they have relocated to Mary's Lake. Three new broods of Lapwings have appeared this week on the scrape. The Med Gull was seen yesterday, but still hasn't any young, the odds on a successful incubation are becoming longer daily.
Finally a Ringed Plover and a Dunlin were on Round Island this morning.
On Thursday I visited Glapthorn Cow Pasture to look for Black Hairstreak's. Several butterflies were seen in and around the tops of the blackthorn, although none dropped down to feed on the bramble whilst I was there.
Regards,
Neil H.
The pair of Garganey are still present, although they have relocated to Mary's Lake. Three new broods of Lapwings have appeared this week on the scrape. The Med Gull was seen yesterday, but still hasn't any young, the odds on a successful incubation are becoming longer daily.
Finally a Ringed Plover and a Dunlin were on Round Island this morning.
On Thursday I visited Glapthorn Cow Pasture to look for Black Hairstreak's. Several butterflies were seen in and around the tops of the blackthorn, although none dropped down to feed on the bramble whilst I was there.
Regards,
Neil H.
Wednesday 17 June 2015
Ramblings.......
For a variety of reasons my birding is somewhat restricted at the moment. I am managing to visit Blueberry Farm area and Harrington Airfield on most days.
A Quail is still calling on and off from the southern most field of the Blueberry complex. I have heard it up until this morning when the field was silent, but could easily still be there.
There are one or two Grasshopper Warbler in the area. The Barn Owls have become quite elusive but I did see two hunting yesterday evening.
This morning I watched a Cuckoo searching the hedge row , obviously looking for a nest in which to deposit eggs. It was so intent on its mission that it was totally unconcerned by my presence.
Birding at Harrington has been quiet, with Grey Partridge and Turtle Dove being the highlight. Nine times out of ten I either see or hear the Turtle Doves. They seem to favour two main areas. Firstly the area around the bunker next to the concrete track. They are either perched in the obvious bare tree's or foraging on the brown earth behind the bunker. Secondly they are often in the bushes at the end of the track. If you are walking along the concrete track, go past the first heap/strip of smelly muck and loiter around the bushes on your left. This evening they were "purring" from the bushes in this area before flying past me and landing in the dead tree's.
The Common Spotted Orchid and Bee Orchid are out and looking pristine. The orchids are on the rough grassy strip and I'm sure that there are more to come out.
More and more insects and butterflies are also about, especially Small Heath Butterflies.
This evening I also encountered both a Brown Hare [ my favourite] and a Badger walking up the track head on to meet me . Neither seemed to be aware that myself and two dogs were on a collision course with them !!! For me, it was a case of hold on very tightly to one of the dogs who is part hound or face being pulled headlong across the airfield in pursuit.
However bird of the day yesterday was the Red Arrows who came very low and slow over the house, such a distinctive noise and sight.
Regards
Eleanor
A Quail is still calling on and off from the southern most field of the Blueberry complex. I have heard it up until this morning when the field was silent, but could easily still be there.
There are one or two Grasshopper Warbler in the area. The Barn Owls have become quite elusive but I did see two hunting yesterday evening.
This morning I watched a Cuckoo searching the hedge row , obviously looking for a nest in which to deposit eggs. It was so intent on its mission that it was totally unconcerned by my presence.
Birding at Harrington has been quiet, with Grey Partridge and Turtle Dove being the highlight. Nine times out of ten I either see or hear the Turtle Doves. They seem to favour two main areas. Firstly the area around the bunker next to the concrete track. They are either perched in the obvious bare tree's or foraging on the brown earth behind the bunker. Secondly they are often in the bushes at the end of the track. If you are walking along the concrete track, go past the first heap/strip of smelly muck and loiter around the bushes on your left. This evening they were "purring" from the bushes in this area before flying past me and landing in the dead tree's.
The Common Spotted Orchid and Bee Orchid are out and looking pristine. The orchids are on the rough grassy strip and I'm sure that there are more to come out.
More and more insects and butterflies are also about, especially Small Heath Butterflies.
This evening I also encountered both a Brown Hare [ my favourite] and a Badger walking up the track head on to meet me . Neither seemed to be aware that myself and two dogs were on a collision course with them !!! For me, it was a case of hold on very tightly to one of the dogs who is part hound or face being pulled headlong across the airfield in pursuit.
However bird of the day yesterday was the Red Arrows who came very low and slow over the house, such a distinctive noise and sight.
Regards
Eleanor
Tuesday 16 June 2015
Pitsford CES
Dave Francis was at Pitsford Res today to conduct visit 5 of the CES season. A slightly disappointing session with a total of 53 birds captured, well below the average for this visit of ~80. The main reason for the shortfall was the lack of tit flocks.
Great Tit 4 (all Juvs)
Blue Tit 6 (5 juvs)
Blackcap 5
Chaffinch 1
Ciffchaff 6
Coal Tit 3 (all juvs)
Dunnock 1
Blackbird 3
Greenfinch 1
Wren 3
Great-spotted Woodpecker 4
Reed Bunting 1
Robin 6
Song Thrush 3
Treecreeper 3
Whitethroat 1
Wood Pigeon 1
Garden Warbler 1
A visit yesterday to the Nene barrage at Clifford Hill was rewarded with distant views of 2 drake Common Scoters, always as far away from me as possible as I circumnavigated the lake. A solitary Black Tern was sweeping the length of the lake as well.
Regards,
Neil H.
Great Tit 4 (all Juvs)
Blue Tit 6 (5 juvs)
Blackcap 5
Chaffinch 1
Ciffchaff 6
Coal Tit 3 (all juvs)
Dunnock 1
Blackbird 3
Greenfinch 1
Wren 3
Great-spotted Woodpecker 4
Reed Bunting 1
Robin 6
Song Thrush 3
Treecreeper 3
Whitethroat 1
Wood Pigeon 1
Garden Warbler 1
A visit yesterday to the Nene barrage at Clifford Hill was rewarded with distant views of 2 drake Common Scoters, always as far away from me as possible as I circumnavigated the lake. A solitary Black Tern was sweeping the length of the lake as well.
Regards,
Neil H.
Saturday 13 June 2015
Rainy day birds
The persistent rain this morning increased my anticipation as I headed to Summer Leys once more. It's a little late in the season now for much migration to be happening, but there have been a number of good waders reported from surrounding counties lately. Alas I was to be disappointed on the wader front, Ringed Plover being the only unusual bird to report. The day was considerably brightened by the presence of two Black Terns catching insects over the main lake. These elegant marsh terns are always a pleasure to watch as they swoop and climb effortlessly backwards and forwards.
A further surprise was a pair of Garganey which were feeding in the weedy margins of Gull Island.
The usual suspects were still in evidence, the Med Gull appearing briefly and the young Shelducks increasing in size daily. The Oystercatcher chick was visible for the first time in nearly a week and has grown massively being hardly smaller than its parents now.
The 4 Redshank young are all flourishing and are moving between the islands of the scrape, which must be a little daunting when you are so little and haven't experienced water before.
Regards,
Neil H.
A further surprise was a pair of Garganey which were feeding in the weedy margins of Gull Island.
The usual suspects were still in evidence, the Med Gull appearing briefly and the young Shelducks increasing in size daily. The Oystercatcher chick was visible for the first time in nearly a week and has grown massively being hardly smaller than its parents now.
The 4 Redshank young are all flourishing and are moving between the islands of the scrape, which must be a little daunting when you are so little and haven't experienced water before.
Regards,
Neil H.
Friday 12 June 2015
Summer Leys
Autumn is coming. I know summer has barely started, but the first signs of autumn are appearing, at least as far as the birds are concerned. Teal have started to reappear on the reserve with 8 drakes and a duck appearing this week along with an unseasonably early drake Goldeneye.
More appropriately to the time of year the first orchids are blooming with over 20 Southern Marsh Orchids in flower in the car park field.
Young birds are in evidence with a brood of Shelduck doing well with 7 of the original 9 ducklings still surviving.
A pair of Redshank are rearing a quartet of youngsters, despite the harassment of a non-breeding pair of birds.
A number of Lapwing families are present on the scrape and Gull Island with the first 3 Common Tern chicks hatched on Round Island in the last few days. A solitary young Oystercatcher has been hatched by the only successful pair on the reserve.
Of the 6 Little ringed Plovers resident only one pair seem to have settled down, so fingers crossed for a successful outcome.
Finally the 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull is still sitting on Rotary Island after having presumably paired with a Black-headed Gull. It's impossible to be sure of what is going on due to the vigorous growth of the vegetation on the island, probably guano fuelled. With luck there will be some interesting chicks for people to puzzle over shortly as many of the gull eggs have now hatched.
Regards,
Neil H.
More appropriately to the time of year the first orchids are blooming with over 20 Southern Marsh Orchids in flower in the car park field.
Young birds are in evidence with a brood of Shelduck doing well with 7 of the original 9 ducklings still surviving.
A pair of Redshank are rearing a quartet of youngsters, despite the harassment of a non-breeding pair of birds.
A number of Lapwing families are present on the scrape and Gull Island with the first 3 Common Tern chicks hatched on Round Island in the last few days. A solitary young Oystercatcher has been hatched by the only successful pair on the reserve.
Of the 6 Little ringed Plovers resident only one pair seem to have settled down, so fingers crossed for a successful outcome.
Finally the 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull is still sitting on Rotary Island after having presumably paired with a Black-headed Gull. It's impossible to be sure of what is going on due to the vigorous growth of the vegetation on the island, probably guano fuelled. With luck there will be some interesting chicks for people to puzzle over shortly as many of the gull eggs have now hatched.
Regards,
Neil H.
Monday 8 June 2015
Sunday 7 June 2015
Local Bird Ringing
Hello
A ringing session at Stortons Gravel Pits this morning as led by John Woollett provided 55 captures, the highlights being 5 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Robins, 8 Reed Warblers, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, a Garden Warbler and a Whitethroat. A Peregrine maintained a presence in the area.
At Pitsford Reservoir this morning, a ringing session including a Constant Effort Site visit as led by Dave Francis provided 52 captures, the more interesting birds perhaps being a Kingfisher, a Carrion Crow, a Moorhen, a Tawny Owl, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Garden Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Reed Warblers, 7 Bullfinches and 5 Song Thrushes. The Tawny Owl was first ringed as an adult on-site in 2007 so is in excess of eight years old and one of the Garden Warblers was first ringed in 2010.
Other birds seen on-site included a drake Wigeon and a Hobby and the sunny weather brought forth many day-flying Chimney Sweep moths, a Silver Y moth, a Painted Lady butterfly and smaller butterflies including Common Blue and Small Copper.
Regards
Neil M
A ringing session at Stortons Gravel Pits this morning as led by John Woollett provided 55 captures, the highlights being 5 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Robins, 8 Reed Warblers, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, a Garden Warbler and a Whitethroat. A Peregrine maintained a presence in the area.
At Pitsford Reservoir this morning, a ringing session including a Constant Effort Site visit as led by Dave Francis provided 52 captures, the more interesting birds perhaps being a Kingfisher, a Carrion Crow, a Moorhen, a Tawny Owl, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Garden Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Reed Warblers, 7 Bullfinches and 5 Song Thrushes. The Tawny Owl was first ringed as an adult on-site in 2007 so is in excess of eight years old and one of the Garden Warblers was first ringed in 2010.
Other birds seen on-site included a drake Wigeon and a Hobby and the sunny weather brought forth many day-flying Chimney Sweep moths, a Silver Y moth, a Painted Lady butterfly and smaller butterflies including Common Blue and Small Copper.
Regards
Neil M
Garden Warbler Pitsford Reservoir Courtesy of Lynne Barnett |
Juvenile Cetti's Warbler Stortons Gravel Pits Courtesy of Chris Payne |
Chimney Sweep Moth Pitsford Res |
Common Tern Pitsford Res |
Small Copper butterfly Pitsford Res |
Saturday 6 June 2015
Pitsford in June
Hello
A visit to Harrington Airfield this morning yielded a calling Quail by the first bunker and two Turtle Doves towards the end of the concrete track.
Today three of us were checking the large nest-boxes on the reserve section of Pitsford Reservoir, and sadly our efforts confirmed that it has been a very poor breeding season for Tawny Owls with just one pair successfully utilising the boxes to raise young. We located two broods of well-grown Stock Doves, this species regularly use these large boxes successfully.
A couple of singing Spotted Flycatcher remain on the reserve and the pair of Oystercatcher continue to feed one or two young on the tern rafts.
Since the significant tree-felling near to the Bird Club Hide last year, many birds now loaf on the stumps and posts near to the hide affording excellent views, in particular Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns.
Kenny Cramer and team committed to some general ringing at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve near to Milton Keynes this morning and caught 24 birds of a variety of species including a Jay, a Kingfisher, a Garden Warbler, a Blackcap, a Chiffchaff and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
A Quail was still calling at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this afternoon close to the southern border of the complex.
Regards
Neil M
A visit to Harrington Airfield this morning yielded a calling Quail by the first bunker and two Turtle Doves towards the end of the concrete track.
Today three of us were checking the large nest-boxes on the reserve section of Pitsford Reservoir, and sadly our efforts confirmed that it has been a very poor breeding season for Tawny Owls with just one pair successfully utilising the boxes to raise young. We located two broods of well-grown Stock Doves, this species regularly use these large boxes successfully.
A couple of singing Spotted Flycatcher remain on the reserve and the pair of Oystercatcher continue to feed one or two young on the tern rafts.
Since the significant tree-felling near to the Bird Club Hide last year, many birds now loaf on the stumps and posts near to the hide affording excellent views, in particular Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns.
Kenny Cramer and team committed to some general ringing at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve near to Milton Keynes this morning and caught 24 birds of a variety of species including a Jay, a Kingfisher, a Garden Warbler, a Blackcap, a Chiffchaff and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
A Quail was still calling at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this afternoon close to the southern border of the complex.
Regards
Neil M
Great Crested Grebes displaying Pitsford Reservoir |
Cormorant Pitsford Reservoir |
Common Tern Pitsford Reservoir |
Friday 5 June 2015
Warm and sunny at last!
Common Toad Blueberry Farm |
Hello
This morning I was treated to a 'behind the scenes' look at some of the wildlife projects at Rutland Water, with an opportunity to examine the relatively new and innovative Sand Martin 'banks' with their open-backed nest-holes and anti-predation baffles, a Swift Tower which houses multiple nest-boxes affixed to a pole and equipped with an audio system to attract passing birds, and three Osprey nests, two of which were active. The site is pretty vast and there are a number of other long-term plans and strategies at play here which would be good to emulate within this fair county of ours!
In the rather sudden warm and sunny conditions which have been a touch scarce this spring, there has a been a bloom of insect activity. The damselflies at Rutland Water were flying in their hundreds and a few dragon-flies included Four Spot Chaser.
At Blueberry Farm this morning, the Quail was audible again in Big Lichfields, and this afternoon there was a pair of Hobby and insects on the wing included Small Heath and Painted Lady butterflies.
Regards
Neil M
Four Spot Chaser Rutland Water |
Underside of Painted Lady butterfly Blueberry Farm |
Small Heath butterfly Blueberry Farm |
Thursday 4 June 2015
Here come the young birds!
Hello
An early morning foray at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell provided the sound of the calling Quail in Big Lichfields and a singing Grasshopper Warbler in Hill Field.
At Harrington Airfield this afternoon two Turtle Doves were flying around at the far end of the concrete track and good numbers of Common Spotted Orchids are beginning to emerge. This evening a walk in Rabbit Hill Spinney on the Kelmarsh Estate yielded a pair of Spotted Flycatcher and a Great Spotted Woodpecker nest with the young close to fledging.
Many Blue Tit and Great Tit broods will have fledged today and will continue to do so during the week-end, so watch out for lots of begging tits in bushes and trees by you!
Regards
Neil M
An early morning foray at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell provided the sound of the calling Quail in Big Lichfields and a singing Grasshopper Warbler in Hill Field.
At Harrington Airfield this afternoon two Turtle Doves were flying around at the far end of the concrete track and good numbers of Common Spotted Orchids are beginning to emerge. This evening a walk in Rabbit Hill Spinney on the Kelmarsh Estate yielded a pair of Spotted Flycatcher and a Great Spotted Woodpecker nest with the young close to fledging.
Many Blue Tit and Great Tit broods will have fledged today and will continue to do so during the week-end, so watch out for lots of begging tits in bushes and trees by you!
Regards
Neil M
Wednesday 3 June 2015
Wednesday update
Hello
Not much opportunity for being out and about today, but a morning visit to Blueberry Farm confirmed the continuing presence of a calling Quail in Big Lichfields (southern-most field), and at lunch-time a single Turtle Dove was seen in flight at Harrington Airfield (from bushes towards the end of the concrete track)...
Regards
Neil M
Not much opportunity for being out and about today, but a morning visit to Blueberry Farm confirmed the continuing presence of a calling Quail in Big Lichfields (southern-most field), and at lunch-time a single Turtle Dove was seen in flight at Harrington Airfield (from bushes towards the end of the concrete track)...
Regards
Neil M
Tuesday 2 June 2015
Blustery spring day!
Hello
This afternoon a Quail was again calling in the field known as Big Lichfields at the southern edge of the Blueberry Farm complex, between Maidwell and Cottesbrooke. At Hollowell Reservoir this afternoon the point area attracted two Dunlin and six Ringed Plovers...
Regards
Neil M
This afternoon a Quail was again calling in the field known as Big Lichfields at the southern edge of the Blueberry Farm complex, between Maidwell and Cottesbrooke. At Hollowell Reservoir this afternoon the point area attracted two Dunlin and six Ringed Plovers...
Regards
Neil M
Cock Linnet Courtesy of Robin Gossage. |
Kestrel Courtesy of Robin Gossage. |
Monday 1 June 2015
Sunday 31 May 2015
Indoor meeting Wednesday 3rd June
Hello
This is a reminder to members of the Northants Bird Club and an invitation to non-members to attend an indoor meeting at The Fishing Lodge, Pitsford Reservoir, Brixworth Road, Holcot (NN6 9SJ) this coming Wednesday evening (3rd June).
Our speaker for the evening is Chris Ward who will be providing a presentation on the wildlife of Namibia called 'Etosha and the Skeleton Coast. Exciting birds, fantastic and easy to photograph mammals and unique landscapes - Namibia has it all'.
The meeting will commence at 7.30pm and Chris will begin his presentation after the usual notices. Hot drinks and biscuits will be available during the evening and everyone is welcome!
Regards
Neil M
This is a reminder to members of the Northants Bird Club and an invitation to non-members to attend an indoor meeting at The Fishing Lodge, Pitsford Reservoir, Brixworth Road, Holcot (NN6 9SJ) this coming Wednesday evening (3rd June).
Our speaker for the evening is Chris Ward who will be providing a presentation on the wildlife of Namibia called 'Etosha and the Skeleton Coast. Exciting birds, fantastic and easy to photograph mammals and unique landscapes - Namibia has it all'.
The meeting will commence at 7.30pm and Chris will begin his presentation after the usual notices. Hot drinks and biscuits will be available during the evening and everyone is welcome!
Regards
Neil M
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