Blustery Sunday

Hello

A blustery day but still plenty of migrants on the move with Woodpigeons, thrushes and finches particularly noticeable. A couple of Ravens were noisy at Hanging Houghton first thing and small numbers of Siskins were again at Kelmarsh Hall.

Pitsford Reservoir again produced a real mix of birds north of the causeway including an excellent eleven Great White Egrets, the Wood Sandpiper still, just one drake Red-crested Pochard, a female Scaup, nine Pintail, a Green Sandpiper, a Jack Snipe, an adult Yellow-legged Gull and a Stonechat.

Three more Red-crested Pochards were on the Aldwincle lake at Thrapston Pits and a Merlin was over fields between the A43 and Sywell Airfield.

A Golden Pheasant at Northampton Golf Club is interesting as it has been a good few years now since the last community of breeding Golden Pheasants was lost in the county.

A Ring Ouzel flew south over Harrington Airfield this afternoon in company with a Fieldfare - a ringing session is organised for this site tomorrow when the bunkers and old airstrip will be subject to restricted access but the concrete track will be unaffected.

Regards

Neil M

The Pitsford Wood Sandpiper
courtesy of David Arden.

Red Kite.

Brambling.

Saturday's sightings

Hello

Kenny and team were down at Linford Lakes near Milton Keynes running a ringing session today and processed some fifty-eight birds of twelve species, the majority newly-ringed. At this time of the year of course thrushes dominate and nineteen Redwings found the nets as did five Blackbirds and three Song Thrushes. Warblers stay much later in the autumn these days and four Chiffchaffs were encountered as were three Cetti's Warblers and a single Blackcap. Other notable birds included a Treecreeper and two Lesser Redpolls which included a bright adult male.

At Hanging Houghton this morning, seven Ravens flew over the village and the garden attracted Sparrowhawk, Grey Wagtail and Brambling. Harrington Airfield provided sightings of c100 Golden Plovers, a Woodcock, a few Bramblings and a Stonechat. Pitsford Reservoir continued to host the late Wood Sandpiper in the Scaldwell Bay and this venue attracted a significant arrival of seventeen Red-crested Pochard overnight, the majority also in the Scaldwell Bay. The low water levels are attracting quite a mix of birds and nine Great White Egrets might even be a site record. Other birds included a Green Sandpiper, double-figure Little Egrets and twenty-five Golden Plovers in fields between there and Scaldwell village. 

Elsewhere and two Pink-footed Geese flew over Nether Heyford this morning, a Peregrine was at Hollowell Reservoir and birds at Summer Leys LNR included over two hundred Golden Plovers, a Ruff and a Great White Egret. A Woodcock and two Snipe were noted at New Sandy Lane, New Duston. A Kingfisher and Siskins were at Kelmarsh Hall.

Regards

Neil M

Lesser Redpoll courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Black-headed Gull courtesy
of John Tilly.

Carrion Crow courtesy
of John Tilly.

Grey Heron courtesy
of John Tilly.

November migration

Hello

On Tuesday afternoon/Wednesday morning there was some bird ringing carried out at Pitsford Reservoir around the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station which resulted in 74 captures of 17 species which included nine Goldfinches, nine Long-tailed Tits, five Chaffinches, four Tree Sparrows, three Greenfinches, two Song Thrushes, two Redwings, two Blackbirds, two Reed Buntings, a Goldcrest and a Blackcap. However the best bird was probably a Stonechat which was a returning bird to Pitsford, first ringed there in November 2020.

Chris Payne and team completed some ringing at Greens Norton on Wednesday this week and caught 89 birds of 14 species which included an excellent seven Bullfinches, five Lesser Redpolls, eight Goldfinches, thirteen Redwings, a continental Blackbird and two Blackcaps. Siskins and a Woodcock were also noted.

Yesterday (Thursday) saw plenty more winter thrushes and finches streaming through the county and at Thrapston Pits the Ring-necked Parakeet was still present as were two pairs of Stonechat, two Kingfishers and two Great White Egrets. Two Merlins were chasing Skylarks south of Hartwell and Harrington Airfield recorded a Hen Harrier (also seen on the 1st), Bramblings and plenty of Fieldfares and Redwings. At Pitsford Reservoir a very late Wood Sandpiper was found in the Scaldwell Bay and other birds included a Garganey, eight Great White Egrets, a Ruff, two Green Sandpipers and a flock of Pintail.

Birds at Earls Barton Pits included about five hundred Golden Plovers and a pair of Stonechats and an Otter was fishing on Moon Lake. A Scaup was seen at Daventry Country Park.

Today (Friday) and the Wood Sandpiper was still at Pitsford Reservoir where there was also a Green Sandpiper, two Dunlin, eight Great White Egrets, sixteen Snipe, eleven Pintail, a Yellow-legged Gull and twenty Bramblings. The Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton  yielded a male Merlin, a Barn Owl, two Woodcock, twenty Bramblings and lots of migrating winter thrushes and Starlings. Harrington Airfield still attracted at least a dozen Bramblings today plus plenty of winter thrushes and forty Golden Plovers. Hollowell Reservoir was good for a Dunlin, three Great White Egrets and four Stonechats.

Regards

Neil M

Lesser Redpoll courtesy
of Chris Payne.

Common Snipe.

Autumn Days

 Today was my only completely "free" day of the week so I took the opportunity to visit the north of the county.  After the recent spell of wet windy weather I was delighted when I woke up to a typical autumn morning with low lying mist over the fields and clear crisp air. Infact there had been a ground frost. Perfect conditions for running so accompanied by 3 of the dogs i went on a 10 mile run at Fineshade where it felt as if I had the whole wood to myself as I only met 2 people.  The autumn colours were amazing with a myriad of colours and textures, made even more stunning by the shafts of sunlight penetrating the trees. The birds were quite vocal especially the tit family who were moving through the trees in flocks.  There were several cronking Ravens and good numbers of Siskin throughout the wood. Despite visiting Fineshade on numerous occasions I discovered an area I hadn't been to before and found at least 8 Bramblings.                                                 Then I went on a 3 hour meander in Wakerley Wood which was disappointingly quiet.  Much smaller numbers of Siskin,  Brambling and tits in but when out in the open at the back of spanhoe Airfield there was a noticeable movement of Fieldfares, Redwings and Wood Pigeons. These birds were moving through in their hundreds. Also in this area plenty of raptors enjoying the sunshine and gentle breeze including female Peregrine,  Red Kites, Common Buzzards and Sparrowhawk.                                                                    Again the colours of the trees were stunning and it was just lovely to be out and about.  I even managed to see Fallow and Roe Deer.                                                                                       I intended to visit other nearby sites but when I returned to my car I discovered a problem which meant that I had to come home to  sort it out. 

The county seems to be going through another quiet spell with the long staying birds still present,  9 Cattle Egret at Kinewell roost, Pink Footed Goose at Hollowell Reservoir,  Black Necked Grebe on town lake Thrapston and a juvenile Osprey in the Summer Leys area.

Quite a few different species of butterfly have been recorded in the county over the last couple of days including Red Admiral,  Peacock, Brimstone,  Small Tortoiseshell,  Small White, Holly Blue, Comma and Painted Lady.  Wow pretty good for the time of year. 

Regards Eleanor 

Still all the egrets!

Hello

Another blustery day didn't provide anything new but despite the strong south-westerly headwind, plenty of Woodpigeon flocks ploughed on over Harrington Airfield in flocks up to fifty strong. Other visible migration included small flocks of Redwings and finches which included Chaffinches, Greenfinches and six Siskins. Five Grey Partridges were seen, there were just five Golden Plovers on the exposed top field and with two Bramblings, more Redwings and common finches in the bushes.

At Thrapston Pits today there were a couple of drake Goldeneye on show plus three Great White Egrets, six Little Egrets and a Cattle Egret (in the sailing club grounds) and a Chiffchaff, all courtesy of Eric Graham.

Other reports included five Cattle Egrets on the main lake at Stanwick Pits this morning with a Scaup at Daventry Country Park this afternoon.

Regards

Neil M

Cattle Egrets.

Little Egret.

Great White Egret
courtesy of Dave Jackson.

Geese, egrets and Bramblings.

Hello

Very autumnal again today with plenty of birds on the move in the swirl and breeze with a flock of nine Pink-footed Geese flying over the Brampton Valley Way below Hanging Houghton heading towards Brixworth this morning and a flock of six Bramblings in the valley by the large barn below the village. Two Ravens were again in the village, a Peregrine was with prey in the valley this afternoon and a pair of Stonechats were at Blueberry Farm late this afternoon. A few more Bramblings and Siskins were on the move in the Brampton Valley as well and small numbers of Siskins were at Scotland Wood too.

Two or three Yellow-legged Gulls were at the south end of Pitsford Reservoir today and a Barnacle Goose was with one of the Canada Goose flocks.

At Thrapston Pits today there was a pair of Red-crested Pochard, a Cattle Egret, three Great White Egrets, six Little Egrets, a Ring-necked Parakeet, a Kingfisher, two Pintail, a Raven and two pairs of Stonechats. Nearby there was eight Cattle Egrets at roost at Kinewell Lake, Ringstead Pits this evening.

Elsewhere and the young Osprey was still in the Earls Barton Pits area this morning with at least ten Golden Plovers on the Summer Leys LNR. The single Pink-footed Goose remained at Hollowell Reservoir today and there were two Pintail too with a Brambling and at least twenty-five Golden Plovers reported at Harrington Airfield this lunchtime.

Regards

Neil M

Adult Yellow-legged Gull
at Pitsford Reservoir today.

House Sparrow.

Harrington visible migration

Hello

A visit to Harrington Airfield, the first time in over four weeks, provided a steady flow of over-flying migrants with plenty of Woodpigeons, Starlings and Redwings streaming south west with others in the bushes. Chaffinches were passing over in good numbers with some arcing down into the scrubby areas and Skylarks were both visual and vocal. About two hundred Golden Plovers were on the top fields, fifteen Bramblings were lingering and a Short-eared Owl flew from the straw bales on the concrete track. Two or three more Bramblings were down near the museum and there were six Grey Partridges in the valley below Hanging Houghton.

Subsequent birds included two Ravens over the garden here at Hanging Houghton, a Chiffchaff in the garden and a Grey Wagtail on the house roof!

Elsewhere and a Pink-footed Goose was at Hollowell Reservoir as were four Great White Egrets, five Stonechats and a fly-over Brambling. An Osprey flew west over Moulton this afternoon and Adrian's evening roost check at Kinewell Lake, Ringstead Pits revealed an excellent nine Cattle Egrets and a Great White Egret.

Regards

Neil M

Common Buzzard.

Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Meadow Pipit.

Rook.

Linford Lakes ringing

Hello

A team of four ringers, led by Kenny Cramer conducted another interesting ringing session at Linford Lakes on the outskirts of Milton Keynes yesterday resulting in fifty captures of sixteen species of which thirty-six individuals were newly-ringed. A Barn Owl is the second bird caught in recent times but four Jackdaws were something of a surprise as was a young male Sparrowhawk. Other birds included five Blackbirds, four Redwings, two Song Thrushes, five Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff and two Lesser Redpolls.

Regards

Neil M

Goldcrest.

Barn Owl.

Jackdaws.

Sparrowhawk.

Lesser Redpoll.
All images courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

The Isles of Scilly

Hello

Just back from four weeks on the wonderful Isles of Scilly! We enjoyed a mixture of weather and although it is already recognised as being a quiet year in many respects there was still plenty to look at! As well as general birding, Eleanor was running around the island coastal paths most days with her collies, I did a little ringing and conducted a Naturetrek tour and managed to complete a couple of pelagic trips too. And of course these islands are fabulous walking terrain with every island subtly different to each other and yes I took plenty of photos.

Anyway a few images from the islands, no doubt there will be more over the next few days...

Regards

Neil M

Gannet.

Snow Bunting.

Hottentot-Fig flower.

Small Copper.

Bathing Song Thrush.

More autumn birding

Hello

Yesterday (Thursday) a Whinchat was at shrike hedge in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and a Common Redstart lingered in the usual hedge at Lamport Hall. Three Grey Wagtails visited our rooftop and that of our neighbour at Hanging Houghton.

Birds at Pitsford Reservoir included a Peregrine, three Great White Egrets, a Garganey and two Pintails.

Today (Friday) provided six Golden Plovers for Harrington Airfield plus three Stonechats, a Whinchat, a Snipe and a Great White Egret at Hollowell Reservoir. Daventry Country Park produced two Great White Egrets, a Greenshank, two Green Sandpipers and two Pintails.

The now rare Willow Tit still persists at Stanford Reservoir with one or two birds in residence and there was a Great White Egret there today too.

A ringing session took place at Woodford Halse today and yielded eighty-four birds of fifteen species which included four Chiffchaffs, five Blackcaps, three Meadow Pipits, three Goldfinches, a Marsh Tit and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Regards

Neil M

Mute Swan courtesy
of John Tilly.

Common Snipe
courtesy of John Tilly.

Great White Egret
courtesy of John Tilly.

Cattle Egrets courtesy
of John Gamble.

Little Egret courtesy
of John Tilly.

The Summer Leys Bittern
courtesy of Stuart Munday.

September birds

Hello

Yesterday the WeBS count was completed at Pitsford Reservoir in pleasant, warm conditions. Five Great White Egrets stalked the shallows and other birds included nine Pintail, an adult Yellow-legged Gull eating one of many dead fish, three Green Sandpipers and a juvenile Black Tern that spent much of its time hawking insects in the Scaldwell Bay. Other birds included a Snipe, three Grey Wagtails, a Goldeneye and a good build up of Wigeon. Yesterday afternoon and this morning Dave Francis conducted some ringing around the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station and netted a re-trap Sparrowhawk, a staggering forty-four Blackcaps, fourteen Chiffchaffs, four Meadow Pipits, three Tree Sparrows, two Reed Warblers, a Sedge Warbler and a Whitethroat plus more regular birds. The lowering water levels are now providing muddy edges and hence why three Ruff and a Black-tailed Godwit were seen there today and the Great White Egret count went up to six.

At Harrington Airfield a ringing session this morning provided ninety-four captures of thirteen species regularly encountered here, the majority of birds being Yellowhammers, Meadow Pipits, Dunnocks, Goldfinches and Blackcaps. A Blackcap was bearing a British ring from elsewhere, seemingly first ringed in August 2020 but we will have to await further details. A Wheatear and a Whinchat were at the old airfield yesterday afternoon and today a Wheatear showed briefly at Bunker Two. Other birds noted today included a Golden Plover and overflying migrants included three Grey Wagtails.

Down at Linford Lakes Kenny and Keith worked the nets both yesterday morning and this morning, catching and processing 118 birds of eighteen species which included twenty Chiffchaffs, twenty-eight Blackcaps, twelve Meadow Pipits, eight Reed Buntings, nine Reed Warblers, a Sedge Warbler, two Cetti's Warblers, four Kingfishers, a Marsh Tit, a Black-headed Gull, two Snipe and the star bird a splendid Green Sandpiper.

Jacob was with a small team working on Short-eared Owls at Spurn last night, trialing a few amended catching techniques which paid off with six birds caught and ringed!

A Whinchat was at 'shrike hedge' in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today and birds at Borough Hill Country Park included three Stonechats and a Whinchat. A Marsh Harrier was seen over Summer Leys LNR this afternoon and the Bittern was still there yesterday.

Regards

Neil M

Kingfisher.

Clifden Nonpareil courtesy
of Jim Dunkley.

Wheatear courtesy of
John Gamble.

Apologies

Hello

My apologies for the lack of blogs recently. We are currently experiencing all sorts of connectivity problems which as yet remain unresolved. Both our laptops have recently expired and all in all it has been a very frustrating period trying to stay connected!

I've been lucky enough to lead two recent tours to the Ardnamurchan Peninsular in Scotland and also the Naturetrek Poland in Autumn tour and have other tours coming up.

Today Eleanor's daily visit to the Blueberry Farm near Maidwell paid off this morning with a 'ringtail' Hen Harrier flying towards Cottesbrooke and a female Merlin chasing passerines nearby. A Common Redstart still remains at Blueberry Farm and there was at least one Whinchat in fields between there and the Brampton Valley Way near shrike hedge.

I completed a rather late WeBS count at Ditchford Pits today - birds west of Ditchford Lane included seven Egyptian Geese, a Peregrine and a Green Sandpiper and birds east of Ditchford Lane included a flying Great White Egret and a Garganey on the Main Pit. Chris Green also noted a Cattle Egret on Dragonfly Lakes and an Otter and new insects for me were about four Willow Emerald damselflies.

David Arden noted a Red-crested Pochard, three or four Great White Egrets and a Green Sandpiper all north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir today.

Regards

Neil M

 

Drake Mallard.

Juvenile Knot.

Eurasian Bison.

Catch Up

 Another few lovely Autumn days where I have been lucky enough to spend a fair bit of time outdoors.  The dogs have certainly had a good amount of exercise so will probably be glad of a rest tomorrow if the predicted rainy day happens.                                                    I am still bumping into plenty of Common Redstarts.  There are still at least 2 individuals showing well at Blueberry and they were flitting along the fence in one of the horse paddocks this morning.  These birds have been the easiest to view. There are still a couple at Harrington Airfield but elusive,  although yesterday one perched right out in the open but I had both hands full at the time with a dog and bird food so by the time I could get to my binoculars it had flown further on, never to be seen again !!.   There have also been a couple regularly in the hedge at Lamport Hall,  these have also been easy to view. This evening a female type was calling and dropping onto the ground and back up onto the fence next to the footpath.         Yesterday I took the opportunity to check out the hedgerows between Old and the Walgrave Bay of Pitsford Reservoir.  Again another favourite area for these birds. I have checked the hedgerows several times recently and haven't seen anything and was expecting the same result yesterday.  But was pleasantly surprised to find at least 6 individuals,  3 of whom were chasing each other around,  then further on 2 were flycatching and then another bird further along the hedge calling.  Needless to say I spent quite a while simply watching and enjoying these beauties. 

Harrington Airfield,  Blueberry and the area below Hanging Houghton are favourite places for Whinchat and Northern Wheatear and every day I am bumping into these birds whilst I'm walking the dogs.  The most Whinchat that I have seen together is 5.  It has been encouraging to see that Grey Partridge have successfully bred at Harrington Airfield and below Hanging Houghton.  Fingers crossed that they continue to survive.         Other birds of note that I have bumped into are a Ring Necked Parakeet which I could here long before I saw it at Lamport Hall,  Spotted Flycatcher , Reed Warbler and Barn Owl at Harrington Airfield and Ravens and Hobby below Hanging Houghton. 

We seem to have quite a few long staying birds in the county at the moment.  2 Little Stints remain at Dirft3 along with some common waders, Redshank, Greenshank,  Ringed Plovers and Curlew. At Daventry Country Park the Garganey are still present and at Stanford Reservoir a Red Crested Pochard.  Cattle Egrets remain at Stanwick GP.                   But there have also been a few new birds found, a Black Tern at Hollowell Reservoir,  Black Tailed Godwits at Hollowell and  Summer Leys and Bitterns at both Summer Leys and Stortons GP in the Nene Valley. 

Plenty of birds, old and new, to go and have a look out or better still get out and enjoy this beautiful time of year as you never know what might be sitting in the bushes around the corner or simply flying over as the Autumn migration gets underway. 

Regards Eleanor 

Redstarts and Autumn Birding

 With the mist hanging over the fields and valley,  the hedgerows laden with ripening fruit and the majority of the crops cut it really is Autumn.  But that's fine by me as it is my favourite time of year and I tend to spend most of the day out and about rather than doing the other things that I should be doing like housework and shopping. 

It is quite an exciting time for birding as the Autumn migration gets underway. Already I have noticed a movement of Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails and even Blackbirds.  This morning I went out running first and had several Grey Wagtails,  Siskin and Meadow Pipits flying over. A quick detour to Blueberry where I could see and hear 2 Common Redstart. I also literally ran into an adult with 4 young Grey Partridge. After a  quick coffee it was straight up to Harrington Airfield where I timed it just right as the mist was lifting. I knew that it was promising when the roadside bushes were busy with birds.  One of the first birds I saw was a Tree Pipit perched momentarily on top of one of the bushes near the chipping compound before flying off calling.  There were at least 2 Common Redstart present,  a Whinchat, Northern Wheatear and 8 Blackbirds around bunker 2.  I also bumped into the 2 young Grey Partridge which was nice to see that so far they are doing well.

Over the last few days there have been plenty of typical Autumn birds in the county. Northern Wheatear at Braunston and Harrington,  Whinchats at Borough Hill, Harrington, Stanford Res, Welford Res,Hanging Houghton and Blueberry. Marsh Harrier at Summer Leys, Harrington,  Blueberry and Stanford Res. Garganey at Daventry Res. Red Crested Pochard at Stanford and Pitsford Reservoir.  Little Stint at Dirft3 and Thrapston. Yesterday there were at least 12 Spotted Flycatchers feeding in the hedge near Lamport Hall.  

Many of these birds have been "long stayers " and a species that has been with us for weeks is the Common Redstart.  I never tire of watching these birds and I regard them as a true Autumn bird. They seem to prefer old hedgerows and return each year to the same spot. I  love to watch them flit about in the hedge or sit on a  fence shimmering their tails. Sometimes they can be quite elusive and stay deep in the bushes and tease us with their distinctive call as has been happening at Harrington Airfield.  At other times they are extremely showy like the birds have been at Blueberry.   I  think that huge numbers pass through the county each year but we only see a fraction of them.  Currently they are  being seen near Old, Honey Hill , Lamport Hall,  Stanford Reservoir,  Woodford Halse, Twywell Hills and Dale's, Corby, Hanging Houghton,  Blueberry and Harrington Airfield.     So keep your ears and eyes open for a  flash of red along the hedgerows and take time to enjoy these beauties.

Regards Eleanor 

Hummingbird Hawk-moth
courtesy of Jim Dunkley.

Hornet courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Common Redstart at
Blueberry Farm courtesy
of  David Smith.

Collies 3 Owls 3

 I've been away for the weekend competing with my bird themed dogs, Rouzel,  Jaeger and Spot the Birdie twitcher Tor, who did quite well so my birding has been somewhat limited.     I did manage an evening visit to Harrington Airfield where I sat waiting for the Red Arrows to fly over as they made their way back to Lincolnshire and they duly obliged. Whilst waiting for the Reds I spent the time scanning the fields. I had already noticed a large flock of Linnets feeding on the stubble fields so wasn't surprised when a female Merlin appeared and started to chase them around.  A Marsh Harrier flew through and there was a noticeable passage of hirundines,  Yellow and Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks.  A Common Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher were in the bushes near to the chipping compound.

Today on my travels I saw at least 2 Common Redstart, 2 Whinchat, Hobby and Peregrine around the Blueberry area plus 3 more Whinchat below Hanging Houghton. 

However due to internet issues and my phone playing up with the WhatsApp not working I haven't got a clue what birds are around in the county at the moment but this does tend to be an exciting time of year as the Autumn migration gets into full swing.

Just as the light was fading this evening I took the 3 collies into the field behind the house for one of their favourite pastimes, a game of football. Bobbie with her gammy legs plays a mean game with the youngsters!!. Mind you I was somewhat distracted by two Little Owls calling to each other and flying around.  A Tawny Owl was also very vocal and a Barn Owl put in an appearance.  All this within the space of half an hour resulting in a draw between the collies and owls !!

Regards Eleanor 

Spotted Flycatcher and Little Stint.

Hello

Having just returned from two tours in north-west Scotland it's a whistle-stop visit to the county before I go off on my travels again! Bethan Clyne has sent through some more stunning images, this time of Spotted Flycatcher which is quite pertinent as they have been very high profile this autumn. Also there is an image of the super juvenile Little Stint from Pitsford Reservoir dam which was found yesterday and is still there today...

Regards

Neil M

Spotted Flycatcher courtesy
of Bethan Clyne.

Little Stint at
Pitsford Reservoir.