Dotterel and more summer visitors

Hello

A couple of local ringing operations took place today and at Linford Lakes the star bird was definitely a Cuckoo that was first caught in May 2017 when it was at least two years old (so it will be at least six years old this summer). The longevity record for Cuckoo is not much older than this so hopefully he will make it through another British summer and African winter to perhaps break a few records next year!

Warblers dominated proceedings with fourteen Reed Warblers representing quite a new arrival of birds. Included within these birds was an individual with a ring from elsewhere and a re-trap bird that was ringed as an adult on-site in 2016 making it at least six years old. Four Blackcaps, two Sedge Warblers, two Chiffchaffs and two Song Thrushes were very welcome too and free-flying birds included a Hobby.

At the same time some ringing was undertaken at Harrington Airfield where fifty-eight birds of seventeen species were handled and included a female Common Redstart, eight Willow Warblers (with three re-traps from previous years), a returning Garden Warbler from last year, five Blackcaps, two Whitethroats and a Lesser Whitethroat (one of at least three on-site). Two new Song Thrushes were encountered too and small numbers of finches included Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Linnet. Other birds noted included two Ravens, two Grey Partridges and six fly-through Redpolls.

A super find today was of two Dotterel found in a field just south west of Piddington and they were much-admired by a procession of observers today. Bonus birds also there included ten Wheatears and a male Whinchat.

Birds reported at Summer Leys LNR today included two Whimbrel, a Curlew, a Ruff, the now long-staying Spotted Redshank, three Hobbies and two drake Garganey with Earls Barton new workings producing a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper and a White Wagtail with a Cuckoo at Mary's Lake.

Debbie and Eric's visit to Titchmarsh Reserve provided a succession of views of a daylight-hunting Barn Owl ending with a successful catch of a vole. Three Nightingales was a great development and other birds included a Cuckoo, Oystercatchers, a Common Sandpiper and two Kingfishers.

Boddington Reservoir provided a Wheatear, a Common Sandpiper and a Grasshopper Warbler and a Whinchat was a good find at Honey Hill, Cold Ashby this morning. A Ring Ouzel was observed yesterday evening in the Pury End area and today there were three Wheatears on the summit plateau at Borough Hill Country Park, Daventry.

Regards

Neil M

Cuckoo courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.

Yellowhammer courtesy
of Lynne Barnett.

Garden Warbler courtesy
of Lewis Aaron.

Lesser Whitethroat courtesy
of Lewis Aaron.

Female Common Redstart
courtesy of Lewis Aaron.

Common Whitethroat courtesy
of Lewis Aaron.

Screaming Swift Tower

Hello

A further morning was spent at Kelmarsh Hall completing the installation of the Swift nesting tower, the product of our very own Chris Payne! All the research suggests we will have to be very patient before any anticipated take up but we have at least set it up and will be playing screaming Swifts sounds to encourage passing birds! A wander along the lake this time didn't produce any scarce migrants (Pied Flycatcher last Friday).

About twenty-five Fieldfares were hanging on at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell today and birds at Harrington Airfield this afternoon included a female Wheatear and two wheezing male Bramblings hidden in the bushes. A period of ringing will be undertaken there tomorrow which will mean restricted access to the bunkers and old airstrips but the concrete track and official footpaths remain open.

A slower day of visible migration today, with most of the gulls, Meadow Pipits and 'alba' wagtails and winter thrushes and finches having passed through by now, but still Yellow Wagtails, warblers, Hobbies and terns and waders continuing to push on into the blocking northerlies.

Single Ospreys were seen passing over Sixfields and Far Cotton today and Stortons Pits attracted a Barn Owl, two Hobbies and a Cuckoo. Summer Leys LNR hosted a drake Garganey, three Ruff and a Dunlin first thing and later the Spotted Redshank and a Mediterranean Gull were found to also be present. There were three Hobbies there by early afternoon.

Clifford Hill Pits today provided sightings of an Arctic Tern, a Whimbrel, a possible Blue-headed Wagtail and two Common Sandpipers and Titchmarsh LNR fielded a Greenshank, two Great White Egrets and four Common Sandpipers.

There were four Great White Egrets north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir today and Hollowell reservoir continued to be favoured by the three long-staying Whimbrel.

A Whinchat was near Lilbourne by the A5 layby next to the DIRFT3 pools plus a Whimbrel and a Green Sandpiper with a Hobby over Braunston.

Regards

Neil M

The Kelmarsh Hall Swift Tower.

Skylark courtesy of
Nathan Jones.

Mistle Thrush courtesy 
of Nathan Jones.

Lapwings courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Pitsford Day Tour

Hello

The reserve section of Pitsford Reservoir was the venue for another Naturetrek Day Tour which we started with a flurry of birds around the Fishing Lodge and Mischa's moth trap provided six species - Powdered Quaker, Hebrew Character, Pale Pinion, Clouded Drab, Swallow Prominent and Early Thorn.

Singing Reed Warblers remained hidden in the phragmites but Blackcaps were a little more showy and the few Garden Warblers present declined to show themselves. Goldcrests and a singing Marsh Tit were happy to strut their stuff but two calling Kingfishers remained hidden in the depths of tangled Crack Willows. A Tawny Mining Bee didn't seem to like the cool temperatures as we progressed around the Holcot Bay and tried to decipher the calls of common tits and listened to the variations of Blackcap song. A couple of migrant 'buzzy' Sedge Warblers were sub-songing and we glimpsed the first of several Muntjacs.

The Walgrave Bay provided three Great White Egrets, a Little Egret and views of the Grey Heron and Cormorant colonies. Swallows, Sand Martins and House Martins were joined by nomadic flocks of cything Swifts. A spell of warm sunshine procured activity from Ashy Mining Bees and a Speckled Wood and two/three Orange-Tip butterflies with brief views of a Bank Vole and soaring Common Buzzards.

Waders on-site included two Oystercatchers, two Snipe, a Lapwing and a Common Sandpiper plus six Yellow Wagtails and small numbers of Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings and Tree Sparrows coming to the main feeding station. Common Terns and Black-headed Gulls hawking low over the water attracted a first summer Little Gull.

A Wheatear was on top of Blueberry Hill this morning with about fifty Fieldfares around the paddocks at Blueberry Farm and this afternoon there were still three Bramblings at Harrington Airfield plus a Hobby and a couple of Swifts.

An Arctic Tern passage through Stanwick Pits this morning saw four flocks moving in a north-easterly direction totaling seventy-four birds. A Pink-footed Goose was grazing in a field next to the pits.

Birds at Summer Leys LNR included a drake Garganey, three Ruff, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, a Ringed Plover, four Common Sandpipers and an Arctic Tern.

The Titchmarsh LNR also saw fourteen Arctic Terns flying through and other birds included a Cuckoo, a Greenshank, three Redshanks, two Common Sandpipers and three Kingfishers with three Hobbies over Town Lake.

There were two Black Swans at Clifford Hill Pits plus a Wheatear and a Lesser Whitethroat and the Oystercatchers at Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows have hatched young which is great news.

Regards

Neil M

A monitored Blue Tit
nest with the female now
brooding, image courtesy
of Lynne Barnett.

Ivy-leaved Toadflax
courtesy of Lynne Barnett.

A showy Grasshopper Warbler
courtesy of David Smith.

Abington Park Pied Flycatcher

 Hello

A series of images from David Smith of the first year male Pied Flycatcher at Abington Park today...

Regards

Neil M

Wood Warblers, Pied Flycatcher and terns

Hello

In a spring perhaps dominated by waders, terns and Little Gulls, it was great to turn our attention to two quality passerines in the shape of a Wood Warbler and a Pied Flycatcher which were both found in Abington Park, Northampton today. The Wood Warbler showed well this morning and then seemed to melt away and the Pied Flycatcher continued to show well following it's discovery at about 1.50pm. At least three noisy Ring-necked Parakeets were present too.

A Nightingale was discovered singing at Old Sulehay today and a Grasshopper Warbler was 'reeling' at Nassington. The east end of the county proved profitable with Thrapston Pits being the location for a pair of Common Scoters on Town Lake and an arrival of migrating terns in the shape of three Blacks and at least forty plus Arctics. A male Ring Ouzel was seen near the River Nene in a field also near Thrapston, and the Titchmarsh Reserve also attracted a Great White Egret, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, at least one Whimbrel and a Blue-headed Wagtail.

Summer Leys also experienced a passage of Common and Arctic Terns and hirundines and the Blue-headed Wagtail was still present too. Waders included two Ruff, the Spotted Redshank, three Common Sandpipers, two Ringed Plovers and four Dunlin. A Grasshopper Warbler in the car park remained elusive. A Wood Warbler was heard singing at the back of Mary's Lake, Earls Barton Pits this morning but soon went quiet. Eleven Arctic Terns flew through Stanwick Pits just before 7am this morning.

Clifford Hill Pits attracted about twelve Arctic Terns, nine Dunlin, a Greenshank and a Hobby this afternoon and an evening birdwatch at Boddington Reservoir produced a Black Tern and about one hundred and thirty terns arrived from the south comprising about two thirds Common and one third Arctic. A 'reeling' Grasshopper Warbler was there too.

The three Whimbrel remained at Hollowell Reservoir - it is very unusual for spring birds to linger for so long. An Osprey showed well there today and two Hobbies were at Cold Ashby Golf Course early this afternoon.

A Brambling was still singing at Harrington Airfield this evening and there were three pairs of Grey Partridge on territory and a good number of Brown Hares cavorting about. A ringing session is planned for this venue on Saturday when access to the bunkers and old airstrips will be restricted.

Regards

Neil M

The Abington Park
Wood Warbler courtesy
of Neil Hasdell.

The same Wood Warbler
courtesy of Dave Jackson.

The Abington Park Pied
Flycatcher courtesy of
Neil Hasdell.

The same Pied Flycatcher
courtesy of Dave Jackson.

Bar-tailed Godwits at Pitsford 
Reservoir two days ago courtesy
of Dave Jackson.

A little rain in the forecast

Hello

Some more bird ringing took place at Stortons Pits this morning resulting in twenty-eight birds being processed, seven of them being re-trapped birds from previous sessions. Twelve new Blackcaps reflect how well this species seems to be doing in recent years, and that is despite horrific human persecution in the Mediterranean basin. Other warblers included a Cetti's, a Chiffchaff, a Reed Warbler, two Sedge Warblers and three Whitethroats. A calling male Cuckoo bounced out of a net twice, so new tactics are now being planned! A Common Sandpiper was at nearby Sixfields Lake.

Over at Pitsford Reservoir some more ringing was completed by Dave Francis around the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station which yielded thirty-six birds of ten species. Fifteen Yellowhammers were probably the highlight (all new birds) plus six Reed Buntings, four Tree Sparrows, two Blackcaps, a Whitethroat and a Mallard.

Also at Pitsford Reservoir a Common Bird Census was undertaken which resulted in another fifty-four Blackcaps being noted plus small numbers of another six species of warblers. Waders included a Whimbrel, a Lapwing, two Oystercatchers and two Common Sandpipers and the best of the ducks was definitely the pair of Garganey still. Two Great White Egrets and at least two Little Egrets remained on-site as did a Black-headed Gull with a Pike lure wrapped around it's leg (still able to fly). Six Brown Hares together in an adjacent field was a great sight and Muntjacs were everywhere!

Barnwell Country Park is the current venue if you want to take close photos or simply enjoy the stunning colours of Mandarin Ducks!

Summer Leys LNR was still the venue today for a Spotted Redshank, a Wood Sandpiper, three Ruff, two Common Sandpipers and a Great White Egret. The Titchmarsh LNR hosted four Oystercatchers, a Greenshank and a Cuckoo.

Three Whimbrels remained at Hollowell Reservoir today and the Blueberry Farm area attracted a male Common Redstart, a Cuckoo, a Hobby, five Wheatears, two singing Grasshopper Warblers and about sixty Fieldfares.

Regards

Neil M

Male Blackcap.

Female Garganey.

Drake Garganey.

Redshank.

All images courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Monday's migrants

Hello

Perhaps a little quieter on the migration front today but still plenty to look for!

Harrington Airfield yesterday held fifteen Golden Plovers and a Wheatear and this morning the best we could come up with was two singing Bramblings, a Raven, a pair of Grey Partridges and a singing Lesser Whitethroat.

Birds in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir incuded short stay migrants in the form of a Sandwich Tern, two Arctic Terns and two Bar-tailed Godwits; more sedentary birds included a Great White Egret and two Common Sandpipers on the causeway with at least ten Yellow Wagtails up by the dam.

The three passage Whimbrel remained at Hollowell Reservoir today but the Bar-tailed Godwit had moved on and was replaced for a time with a Curlew feeding alongside it's smaller cousins. The Great White Egret was there too.

Early morning migration at Stanwick Pits provided brief views of a Whimbrel, five Arctic Terns and eight Siskins - all moving through. A Greenshank lingered and two more flew through and other birds included a drake Pintail and a Lesser Whitethroat.

Summer Leys LNR was the focal point again this morning with a string of quality birds such as Spotted Redshank, six Greenshanks, a Wood Sandpiper, two Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, four Little Gulls, an Arctic Tern, a Hobby and a Marsh Harrier. Ten species of warbler could be found at Earls Barton Pits today incuding a couple of Grasshopper Warblers.

It's proving a remarkable spring for many migrants and the Greenshank is no exception with the single still at Lower Barnwell and two at Thrapston Pits on the Titchmarsh Reserve with the Grey Plover still present too. A drake Goosander was at Islip Mill and two Grasshopper Warblers and Cuckoo were also noted on the Thrapston Pits complex.

A Wheatear was at Muscott Mill today and a Wheatear was at Dale Farm, Maidwell together with ten Fieldfares and a Grey Wagtail. Twenty-four lingering Fieldfares were at Brockhall plus a Grey Wagtail and Yellow Wagtails and two Shelducks and nine Common Terns were at Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows LNR.

Four Wheatears and a Kingfisher were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this evening.

Regards

Neil M

Pied Wagtail courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Yellow Wagtail courtesy
of Nathan Jones.

Linnet courtesy of 
Nathan Jones.

Barn Owl courtesy
of Nathan Jones.

Sunday's migrants

Hello

Another cold, breezy day but with some super sunshine too!

Two Ring Ouzels and over a hundred Fieldfares were found foraging in horse paddocks at Dale Farm, Maidwell this morning - which is a hillside equestrian concern to the north of Blueberry Farm. All the thrushes had moved off from there by 1.30pm. A Redpoll was at Hanging Houghton first thing this morning.

At Pitsford Reservoir this morning an Osprey spent time cruising around the Scaldwell Bay and the pair of Garganey were again next to the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station. A Great White Egret and the pair of Oystercatchers were also present.

The Nene Valley provided two Bar-tailed Godwits at Stanwick Pits (and later two more flew over), a Whimbrel there briefly and at Summer Leys LNR the list of migrants included the Spotted Redshank, a Wood Sandpiper, up to sixteen Greenshanks, three Black-tailed Godwits, four Bar-tailed Godwits flying over (and another on the deck), a Little Gull, a Common Sandpiper and Swifts. A Grasshopper Warbler and other common warblers including Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler were present along the old railway line and two Mediterranean Gulls were over Mary's Lake.

Thrapston Pits and in particular the Titchmarsh Reserve again provided the Grey Plover, three Bar-tailed Godwits, five Arctic Terns, two Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, a Hobby and a Great White Egret.

The Bar-tailed Godwit and three Whimbrel remained at Hollowell Reservoir today and they were all busy feeding in the meadow. A Great White Egret was also present.

Three Little Gulls were at Daventry Country Park this afternoon and a male Merlin carrying prey on the Clopton/Bythorn track was a great record. A Greenshank and a Little Ringed Plover were at Lower Barnwell floods off the A605.

Regards

Neil M

Drake Garganey.

Whimbrel.

Lapwing.

All images taken locally
by Robin Gossage.

Saturday's migration highlights.

Hello

A ringing session at Linford Lakes today was successful with thirty-five captures of thirteen species. Warblers dominated with thirteen new Blackcaps, five Reed Warblers, three Sedge Warblers, a Whitethroat and a Chiffchaff. Three birds not often caught included a Common Snipe, a Sand Martin and a Yellow Wagtail. Other birds present included a Hobby, two Oystercatchers, three Green Sandpipers and a Common Sandpiper. Great Crested Newts and a Weasel were the best of the non-avian wildlife on offer.

After the excitement of yesterday, today was a much more mundane birding day, but there was still plenty of migration in full swing with terns, gulls and waders on the move.

Summer Leys always comes into it's own at this time of the year and the birding highlights included a Wood Sandpiper, the Spotted Redshank still, at least ten Little Gulls this morning, two Mediterranean Gulls, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Ringed Plover, two Little Ringed Plovers and a Common Sandpiper. Two Dunlin and a Little Ringed Plover were at new workings on the gravel pit complex and a Lesser Whitethroat was near Mary's Lake.

Thrapston Pits today boasted a Grey Plover, at least fifty-four Little Gulls, a Great White Egret, five Little Egrets, a pair of Egyptian Geese, a Green Sandpiper and a Grasshopper Warbler. Clifford Hill Pits supported thirteen Little Gulls, a Jack Snipe, two fly-through Grreenshank, a Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper.

The reservoirs tend not to be able to keep up with the Nene Valley gravel pits at this time of the year but Hollowell Reservoir pulled in four lingering Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Redshank and a Common Sandpiper. Birds visible at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon north of the causeway included up to twenty-eight Little Gulls, a Black Tern, a Great White Egret and the pair of Garganey again.

Elsewhere and the roadside pools at Lilbourne attracted a Whimbrel and three Greenshanks, a Whimbrel was seen in fields at Wadenhoe and a Greenshank was on the A605 Lower Barnwell lock flooded field at Oundle. The elusive Short-eared Owl was flushed up at Harrington Airfield again today and there were also two Bramblings and a Wheatear present. A couple of pairs of Grey Partridge and a Barn Owl was all the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton had to offer. A pair of Mandarin Ducks were noted at Harlestone Lake today plus a pair of Ravens nearby and three Wheatears were in a sheep field near Easton Maudit.

Regards

Neil M

Sand Martin courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Yellow Wagtail courtesy
of Keny Cramer.

Common Snipe courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Sparrowhawk with growths
inside the mouth of the bird.

Little Ringed Plover
courtesy of Dave Jackson.