More June Quail

Hello

A calmer day with less wind and intermittent showers and two new calling Quail were found today. One was calling from a wheat field this morning near to Scotland Wood Farm between Haselbech village and the A508 and the other was calling consistently for much of the day at Harrington Airfield. This latter bird was calling from vegetation 100 - 150m alongside the concrete track from the main entrance off the Draughton Road and was often close (but hidden). However this bird was silent this evening.

Spotted Flycatchers were noted today at Haselbech (near church), Beck Dairy (Cottesbrooke) and along the Brampton Valley Way north of Draughton Crossing.

At Stanwick Pits today there were two Cattle Egrets and a Ringed Plover on the main pit and a drake Red-crested Pochard on the Visitor Centre lake. The usual third calendar year Yellow-legged Gull, two Grey Wagtails and a Hobby were at the south end of Pitsford Reservoir this morning.

Over at Ravensthorpe Reservoir an Osprey was fishing this morning and at nearby Hollowell Reservoir Gary Burrows located a Ruddy Shelduck with the Canada Goose flock. A pair of Oystercatchers on the Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows reserve were with two youngsters today and two Cuckoos were noted too. Oystercatchers were also at Thrapston Pits as was a Cuckoo and hundreds of Common Swifts.

At Harrington Airfield this evening the first Willow Warbler and Linnet fledglings were out and about and a Barn Owl was hunting the field margins.

Regards

Neil M

Red Fox.

Fledgling Willow Warblers
at Harrington Airfield this evening.

House Martins.

Hello

Some powerful weather out there today with strong, squally gusts of wind and sudden downpours, seemingly calming down late afternoon...

Steve Fisher found a drake Red-crested Pochard on the Visitor Centre Lake at Stanwick Pits this morning - I wonder whether this is the Stortons bird deciding on a day out to the east?

The westerly winds and precipitation again caused some of our aerial feeders to funnel along the leeward side of trees, particularly so at the Sailing Club at Pitsford Reservoir this morning. It was difficult to count them but there could have been as many as three hundred House Martins feeding on the flying insects seeking haven from the wind. There were much smaller numbers of Swallows, Sand Martins, Swifts and Pied Wagtails doing much the same plus a Grey Wagtail and a Spotted Flycatcher.

I had a go at catching and ringing the House Martins and one strategically placed forty foot mist net succeeded in catching ninety-six of these delightful hirundines. I'm assuming that they are breeding birds from the surrounding villages.

A Black Tern on the main lake at Stanwick Pits this evening was found by Tom Green.

Regards

Neil M

House Martin.

Drake Red-crested Pochard
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Blustery Friday

Hello. 

A blustery day with plenty of sunshine this afternoon and very few birds of note reported for Northamptonshire. The anticipated Rosy Starling invasion is underway but the majority of the birds have been found on headlands, islands and coastal areas all around the UK. In due course it is likely that birds will be found inland, most likely with Starlings.

Four Cattle Egrets were accompanying the herd of cattle at Stanwick Pits this morning and a drake Garganey and a Ringed Plover were located at Summer Leys LNR. Two Yellow-legged Gulls were at the south end of Pitsford Reservoir this morning where the strong north westerly wind and cool conditions funneled the local Swift and House Martin population to where the insects were, in the lee of the trees by the Sailing Club.

Regards

Neil M

Adult and juvenile
Goldfinches. The first
brood juveniles have
been out for a little while
now and the long Goldfinch
breeding season should
produce plenty more youngsters
yet. Most of the juveniles
won't fully adopt the distinctive
 face pattern of the adults until
the early autumn. All images
courtesy of John Tilly.

Pitsford breeding birds

Hello

A cool, grey day today with the occasional glimpse of sunshine and some light showers (heavy in some places) this afternoon.

Very little seemingly found in the county today as migrants dry up and the breeding birds try their best to raise youngsters.

At Pitsford Reservoir an Osprey was seen over the causeway at about 3.35pm and this morning other birds there included a Hobby, a Little Egret, good numbers of Black-headed Gull chicks on the rafts, the pair of Oystercatchers and broods of Grey Herons on the verge of fledging. The Cormorant colony, numbering some forty active nests has plenty of young and the adult Rooks and their young have now mostly moved away from the two on-site rookeries.

Adult and juvenile Tawny Owls were located and there were plenty of singing Blackcaps and Garden Warblers and a Cetti's Warbler territory, but there appears to be only one pair of Willow Warblers giving it a go this year. Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers are not breeding on the reserve this year and just a few Reed Warblers are on territory. A pair of Shovelers, a few Gadwall and four Pochard were the best of the wildfowl. Common Terns are in reasonable numbers but the gulls have used up a lot of space on the rafts and with one raft out of action the terns will probably not breed in the numbers of recent summers.

First brood Tree Sparrows are out and about as were families of several tit species but sadly it seems that 2020 will be the year when Pitsford finally loses its Willow Tits with no known records so far. The last two years has seen one pair on-site plus a couple of unpaired birds, a far cry from the eighties when there were several birds in each major bay. Like elsewhere they have dwindled and unless we see some new birds coming in from elsewhere (there are very few in the county now) then this last Willow Tit outpost will be lost for good.

Elsewhere and a Barn Owl was hunting the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning and the first Common Spotted Orchids are now in flower at Harrington Airfield.

Regards

Neil M

Tawny Owl fledgling
(France in 2019).

It's not unusual to see
one of the Oystercatchers
standing on the roof of the
Bird Club hide at Pitsford
Reservoir!

Black-headed Gulls seem to be having
a good year at Pitsford this year.

Common Tern.

Rainy Wednesday

Hello

At last some rain! Nowhere near enough of course but it's a start!

The Quail wasn't heard in the fields below Hanging Houghton today despite a couple of visits.

Adrian found both the drake Garganeys at Earls Barton Pits this morning, one on Hardwater Lake and another on the Summer Leys LNR. He also located a 'reeling' Grasshopper Warbler in the Nene Valley on the edge of Wellingborough near to the private fishing lake next to the prison and then saw an adult Mediterranean Gull over his street in Wellingborough!

A Spotted Flycatcher was along the Brampton Valley Way just north of the Draughton Crossing yesterday and an Osprey was north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir late morning today with a third calendar year Yellow-legged Gull and Grey Wagtail near to the dam. Two Scaup were reported from Daventry Country Park today and Stanford Reservoir hosted two Ospreys yesterday evening and a Great White Egret this morning. An Osprey caught a fish at Hollowell Reservoir this afternoon.

The number of Ospreys seen in the county the last few days is probably an indication of how many birds are wandering around out there and a reflection of the success of the local Rutland Osprey Reintroduction Scheme.

Regards

Neil M

Osprey.

Common Tern by
Cathy Ryden.

Swallow nestlings today
courtesy of Chris Payne.

Scarce Chaser at Ring Haw,
Old Sulehay courtesy of
David Arden. This dragonfly
is currently restricted to the east
of the county but will surely spread
further west during the next couple
of seasons.

Willow Warblers, Common Whitethroats and Ospreys

Hello

A bird ringing session was completed at Harrington Airfield today with the capture and processing of 62 individuals of twelve species all of which are typical breeding birds on-site. Of six Willow Warblers, four were re-traps from previously including two returning birds from 2019 and one individual that was ringed as an adult there on 2nd June 2017. This means that this bird which weighs all of nine grams will have already clocked up at least four return journeys to Africa! The breeding 'colony' of Willow Warblers at Harrington do exhibit a strong site fidelity and it seems that there are more than ever there this year. Nine Common Whitethroats were caught and one was a returning bird from 2018.

On my arrival at the old airfield complex at about 4am this morning there was a Barn Owl flying around by the concrete track entrance and at 4.25am an Osprey flew over low to the north. Burnett Companions (day-flying moths) were in good numbers as were a variety of common butterflies once the dew had dissipated and the sun came out. 

Another ringing session took place at Stortons Pits today which resulted in thirty or so birds and Common Whitethroats were present in good numbers.

The Quail was calling again this morning in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton, being audible at 5.30am and again at 6.45am - both times it sounded as if the bird was calling from a large wheat field. A drake Garganey was again on the main lake at Stanwick Pits this morning and an Osprey and two Common Sandpipers were at the dam end of Pitsford Reservoir late morning. Another Osprey was on the Elinor trout fishing lake at Thrapston Pits at 7.45pm this evening and at least one Barn Owl was circulating around the Hanging Houghton parish. John Hunt noted an Osprey flying north-west over Spratton village at 5.30pm this afternoon.

Interesting insects in the garden today included a male Beautiful Demoiselle and Scarlet Tiger moth and an on-territory 'purring' Turtle Dove was confirmed at a site in the county. Black Hairstreak butterflies were seen at Salcey Forest and Glapthorn Cow pastures today.

Regards

Neil M

Willow Warbler.

Common Whitethroat.

Osprey.

Black Terns, Quail and lots of butterflies!

An image of New Zealand
Pigeons or Kereru, a picture
from the other side of the world
by Caroline Chambers!

Hello

More sunshine today with a moderate and sometimes blustery breeze and with some cloud cover too.

Two Cattle Egrets were reported at Stanwick Pits again this morning and single Common Sandpipers were noted at Sywell Country Park and Summer Leys LNR. A little later in the day and two Black Terns materialised over the main lake and stayed into the evening.

Another afternoon find was a Quail heard calling in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton. Initially it was calling from a small grassy area but was probably flushed and ended up in the wheat field on the right hand side of the track travelling from the Brampton Valley Way. A Kingfisher was again along the brook there.

Insects in general were very high profile today, the weather surely permitting excellent emergent conditions. Butterflies seen in the county today included the first Marbled White of the year, possibly over seventy Black Hairstreaks at Glapthorn Cow Pastures and up to three Clouded Yellows at Blueberry Farm and towards Cottesbrooke. Big hatches of Meadow Brown, Orange-tip and Small Tortoiseshell were on the wing in NN6 and I saw my first Brown Hawker of the season today.

A ringing session is planned at Harrington Airfield tomorrow which requires there to be access restrictions to the areas around the bunkers and old runway. It will still be possible to walk along the main concrete track and nearby footpaths.

Regards

Neil M

Hoverfly
Helophilus pendulus.

Mimic Hoverfly
Volucella bombylans

Blue Tit. The adults are looking
tatty now, it's hard work bringing
up a Blue Tit family!
Image by John Tilly.

Female House Sparrow
courtesy of John Tilly.

Starling. The juveniles are
out now! Image courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Last day of May

Hello

More glorious sunshine, this time in association with a lovely cool northerly breeze was the background weather for today.

Early morning finds today included a Marsh Harrier flying north east at Summer Leys and two Cattle Egrets with cattle on the main lake at Stanwick Pits. A little later and a Caspian Tern was located in flight at Stanford Reservoir but stayed only a matter of minutes, but time for the single observer to obtain some images. Congratulations to Chris Hubbard for his exciting find.

A Caspian Tern was seen at three sites along the Hampshire coast this afternoon - these nomadic terns are known for their long distance wanderings and ability to cover miles very quickly so it could easily be the same bird.

Visits to Harrington Airfield and Pitsford Reservoir today didn't produce anything out of the ordinary. It is anticipated that Pitsford Reservoir will open on Tuesday 2nd June with public access to the south side as usual and permit holders only to the north of the road causeway (as usual). It is possible to apply for a free permit if you are a member of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, otherwise permits are available from the Fishing Lodge, and self vending day permits should be available again soon from the small hut at the road entrance to the Fishing Lodge.

A ringing session at Harrington Airfield is planned for this coming Tuesday during which time access to the bunker and old runway section will be restricted. Footpaths and the concrete track will still be accessible.

Regards

Neil M

A pair of Swifts in their
nest box with two eggs
courtesy of John Hunt.

Many Great Spotted Woodpecker broods are on
the verge of fledging, so it will be busy and potentially
noisy at peanut and fat feeders soon!
Images courtesy of John Tilly.

Over half the broods of Great Tits
are out now but there are some still
 to fledge.

Image courtesy of John Tilly.

It's all very well him
taking a photograph of
us, why doesn't he come over
and swat some of these flies!

Great Crested Grebe
Blatherwycke Lake.

I reckon if I crouch
down like this he'll
never see me...!

What did I tell you, he didn't
see a thing!

Little Owl at Polebrook Airfield.

Ragged Robin
Deene Lake.

Banded Demoiselle
Blatherwycke Lake.

A day out!

Hello

The brilliant sunshine, warm temperatures and gentle breeze is helping to bring forth multitudes of insects, at least that was my impression after a full day out in the county today, most of which I spent in the Oundle area.

In the meantime gardens have been pulling in more insects with both John Hunt in Spratton and Karen Bright in Little Brington attracting Broad-bodied Chasers and Beautiful Demoiselles to their respective gardens.  

Steve and Gina located the Spotted Flycatchers at Beck Dairy (Cottesbrooke) today and Eleanor encountered Dingy Skipper and a large hatch of fresh Small Tortoiseshell butterflies in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton. Grizzled Skipper was the best of a haul of butterflies seen by Matt Hazleton at Sharnbrook Summit this morning and good numbers of Black Hairstreaks were on show and behaving themselves at Glapthorn Cow Pasture. Large Skippers and Meadow Browns are now out and about in small numbers.

David Arden saw an Osprey at Pitsford Reservoir this morning (Scaldwell Bay) but unfortunately this site still remains closed to the general public and permit holders alike. Deb and Eric notched up a Great White Egret and the rufous form Cuckoo again at Thrapston Pits.

My initial foray took me north east where I checked out areas near to Barnwell, Hemington and Polebrook which provided early morning sightings of a Tawny Owl, three Barn Owls and a Little Owl, Cuckoo and plenty of summer migrants and resident birds alike. Skirting around the edges of Ashton Wold and taking the bridlepath through the complex was good for three singing Spotted Flycatchers, large numbers of Speckled Wood butterflies and a just emerged Blue Emperor dragonfly.

After a pleasurable time at Glapthorn watching the hairstreaks I maneuvered around to Blatherwycke Lake where bird of the day was a female Pochard with six ducklings! Other birds included three Black Swans and a Kingfisher and plenty of things whizzing around over the water included my first Black-tailed Skimmers of the year. I spent quite a bit of time around Deene Lake and nearby ponds, locating two pairs of Shelduck, a party of six Ravens and lots of dragonflies which included Hairy Hawker, more Blue Emperors and good numbers of Black-tailed Skimmers and Four spotted Chasers. And yes I saw absolutely loads of Red Kites all day long!

Two Barn Owls were again hunting this evening between Blueberry Farm and the Brampton Valley Way below Hanging Houghton.

Regards

Neil M

The only stand of Field Elms I
know of in Northants.

Black Hairstreak.

Broad-bodied Chaser courtesy
of Karen Bright.

Broad-bodied Chaser courtesy
of John Hunt.

Beautiful Demoiselle on
dog rose by John Hunt.

Spratton outlook by
John Hunt.

Blue Emperor
Ashton Wold.

Scarce Chasers.

Common Buzzard.

Red Kite.

Exotic Starlings, ringing recoveries, butterflies and moths!

Hello

Another sunshine-filled day but little in the way of reported bird sightings today. Yesterday evening there were hunting Barn Owls at Blueberry Farm and with another across fields between there and the Brampton Valley Way.

Locally we had three Ravens over the garden this afternoon and Eleanor again saw two Kingfishers this morning along the Brampton brook below Hanging Houghton.

The downside of bright sunlight and clean windows is bird strikes and despite having plenty of blinds and plastic outlines on the windows we suffered several today. Much of it is young birds only just out of the nest and not realising the dangers of glass. Sadly two of the juvenile Starlings suffered fatal injuries.

Talking of Starlings it seems that the UK may just be on the brink of a bit of an invasion of Rosy Starlings (or Rose-coloured Starling if you prefer) from the east. It seems that yesterday flocks of these exotic wanderers from Asia were seen in the south of France with a couple then being seen on the Atlantic coast. One was seen on the Welsh island of Skomer yesterday and today one was reported in Cornwall, one or two were on the Isles of Scilly and two were reported in Ireland. Time will tell if these pink wanderers are seen in middle England but if they do turn up they normally socialise and flock with our Starlings.

A few ringing recoveries have been received as follows:-

1. A first year male Blackbird was ringed at Priors Marston just outside the county boundary on 23rd January this year and found freshly dead there on 16th May;

2. A Reed Warbler was ringed at Marston Vale Millenium Country Park, Bedfordshire on 16th April 2017 and caught again at Linford Lakes on the edge of Milton Keynes on 17th May this year, having completed at least eight trips to or from Africa during it's time!

3. A young male Goldfinch that was ringed at Woodford Halse in the west of the county on 14th December 2018 was caught by a ringer in Scotland on 4th April this year at a place called Cragie, Jellyholm Road, Clackmannanshire. The distance between the two sites is 470km and 477 days elapsed between the two captures;

4. A first year male Greenfinch was ringed at Astcote, South Northants on 22nd March this year and taken by a cat on or about 22nd May at Blisworth six km to the east.

A Dark Green Fritillary was seen at Ring Haw, Old Sulehay yesterday and Black Hairstreaks have been seen at Salcey Forest today.

Regards

Neil M

Buff Tip moth.

Pale Tussock moth.

Poplar Hawk Moth.

Large Elephant Hawk Moth by
Robin Gossage.

Lime Hawk Moth by
Robin Gossage.

Cheeky Jackdaws by
John Tilly.