Strong Saturday southerlies

Hello

Some early morning birding around Cottesbrooke provided more spring migrants with a few of Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Willow Warbler and Blackcap. Two Ravens, one or two Kingfisher(s) and a Grey Wagtail were present but undoubtedly the best bird was a calling Hawfinch that flew over north-west just before 8am.

Harrington Airfield was the venue for a Short-eared Owl again around Bunker One plus a couple of Willow Warblers and a male Common Redstart was in a sheltered area in bushes along the concrete track near to the shooting wall. Two Ravens were north of Lamport, a Siskin was at Kelmarsh Hall and four were at Scotland Wood.

The female Ring-necked Duck was on Cotton Reel Lake, Ditchford Pits again today and at Stanwick Pits a Cattle Egret flew over early this morning. A Common Sandpiper was at Titchmarsh Reserve at Thrapston Pits and a Greenshank was on floodwater at Lower Barnwell Lock, Oundle. A Little Ringed Plover and a Yellow Wagtail were at Clifford Hill Pits this morning. An Osprey was over the road at Summer Leys LNR heading towards Earls Barton at noon and birds at Earls Barton New Workings included a drake Red-crested Pochard, a Shelduck, two Little Ringed Plovers and two Green Sandpipers.

A Sandwich Tern flew east at Stanford Reservoir early this morning and other birds included two Common Sandpipers, two Oystercatchers, two Shelduck, a Sedge Warbler and two Swallows. Two more Common Sandpipers were at Hollowell Reservoir and a fishing Osprey there this evening caught a large Bream.

A male Ring Ouzel was located at Newnham Hill this afternoon in fields with sileage bundles between the summit and Daventry Wood Farm and another male Ring Ouzel flew from a bean field in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this afternoon, flying towards the Brampton Valley Way. Two hundred migrant Fieldfares were also in the valley this afternoon and four Short-eared Owls remain west of Lamport on private land with two more still at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

Regards

Neil M

Yellow Wagtail.

Pied Wagtail.

Red Kite.

Chris Coe

Hello

A blustery day with strong southerlies began with rain but later also some pleasant sunshine and mild temperatures.

A male Common Redstart was a good find at Pitsford Reservoir this morning, the bird inhabiting the perimeter hedging in the Scaldwell Bay eighty metres north-west of Maytrees Hide. Later in the day there was a Grass Snake on the Bird Club hide entry ramp.

Martin found an Osprey flying along the Brampton Valley this afternoon and it headed up to Pitsford Reservoir and spent the afternoon and evening showing over the Walgrave Bay and fishing in the area of the Catwalk Bay. Martin also saw a couple of Swallows heading along the Brampton Valley.

New birds in at Pitsford Reservoir included a Common Sandpiper this morning and this afternoon there were two male Yellow Wagtails on the dam plus a Grey Wagtail and an increase in Pied Wagtails. Arriving hirundines included five Swallows and at least eight Sand Martins and the adult Yellow-legged Gull was still present.

At least seven Siskins visited a garden on the east side of Northampton today and at least one remained in our garden Silver Birch at Hanging Houghton.

Three Short-eared Owls returned to their drying out field near Lamport today and two were at nearby Blueberry Farm, Maidwell. Swallows popped up at Byfield and Summer Leys LNR, the latter site also producing a Peregrine, three Pintail, a Common Tern, a Little Ringed Plover and a Cattle Egret. Six Little Egrets and two Little Ringed Plovers were at Earls Barton New Workings.

The female Ring-necked Duck was again at the Cotton Reel Lake at Ditchford Pits today, a Wheatear was at Harrington Airfield, a Common Swift was reported over Kettering and an Osprey flew west at Stanford Reservoir this morning where there was also a Great White Egret, five Little Egrets, two Swallows and five Ravens.

Today we learnt of the passing of Chris Coe, a long term county bird recorder, pioneering local birder and Northants Bird Club member. Many of us began our birding careers in the county with steer and encouragement from Chris who was never quick to judge and provided tuition and leadership in the often confusing world of birds and nature. Chris without doubt influenced the birding scene in a positive way, often with humour and joviality as well as displaying a passion for recording and accuracy. His legacy will remain for generations, inspired by his honesty, integrity and genuine fellowship.

Regards

Neil M

Male House Sparrow.

Mute Swan courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Reed Bunting courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Rouzel and Jaeger were both
winners of their respective
 agility winter leagues with
additional placings during the 
weekend just gone. Now looking
forward to seeing what the new
agility season provides and
hopefully with more successes
 to the future.

Spring migrants trickling in

Hello

Yesterday (Wednesday) seemed a generally quiet day in the county but two Cattle Egrets overflew Stanwick Pits, a Short-eared Owl was seen at Harrington Airfield and a Greenshank was new in at Summer Leys LNR where a Cattle Egret remained. The female Ring-necked Duck was still on Cotton Reel Lake, Ditchford Pits and a few migrants in the county included just a few more of Swallow and Willow Warbler.

Two Oystercatchers were noted at Hollowell Reservoir, a Common Tern was at Eyebrook Reservoir and a House Martin was logged at Daventry Country Park. An adult Yellow-legged Gull and twenty Sand Martins were by the dam at Pitsford Reservoir and a Pink-footed Goose and eleven Little Egrets were at Stanford Reservoir.

Today (Thursday) and it seems that we are still waiting the rush of migrants and have to do with a trickle instead!

The Short-eared Owl was still at Harrington Airfield this afternoon and rarely for this site was in full hunting mode and quartering a large part of the complex including the edges of the concrete track and Bunkers One and Two and the areas between. Ravens were noted here and at Kelmarsh and a few Siskins were still present in Scotland Wood.

Two more Short-eared Owls were at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell but the birds at Lamport were not at their usual location which was flooded out. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was vocal in a small copse in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and other birds in the wet areas included two Jack Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, two Willow Warblers and fifty Fieldfares heading north.

Stanford Reservoir hosted a Common Sandpiper today plus a Water Rail, a Great White Egret, five Little Egrets and a Cetti's Warbler. At Hollowell Reservoir a Curlew flew over south this evening and a male Common Redstart was a nice hedgerow find this morning at Honey Hill, Cold Ashby.

The Earls Barton complex hosted a drake Red-crested Pochard on the New Workings and at Summer Leys there was a Common Tern, two Great White Egrets, a Cattle Egret plus Willow and Sedge Warblers. Ian watched two Redpolls on his garden feeders at Woodford Halse and we saw at least four Siskins in our garden which seemed more interested in the Silver Birch than the feeders.

Regards

Neil M

Dark-edged Bee Fly
Kelmarsh Hall.

Short-eared Owl at
Harrington Airfield 
today.

 This bird with primary feather
 damage on it's left wing has been
present for several days it seems.

Ring Ouzel and Ringtail!!

This morning I decided to revisit the Blueberry area and it was whilst I was standing "watching the world wake up " that I heard the distinctive harsh call of a Ring Ouzel.  Eventually it showed itself to be a male,  before heading off north. A Yellow Wagtail was in one of the horse paddocks,  2 Bramblings around Blueberry Lodge and 2 Short Eared Owls in the area.

A brief visit to the dam area at Pitsford Reservoir yielded a White Wagtail,  Dunlin and 2 adult Little Gulls.  I couldn't resist a visit to Harrington Airfield and I caught it on one of it's "quiet" days. The only birds of note being a Short Eared Owl,  which was seen out hunting early evening,  and a newly arrived Willow Warbler singing.                               Finally I checked on the private land below Lamport and the 4 long staying Short Eared Owls remain but I'm sure that they will soon be on the move.

There were a few interesting birds reported today,  notably a Ringtail Hen Harrier over Stortons GP this morning before heading towards the town.  5 Cattle Egrets were in the Alpaca field just off Ditchford, female Ring Necked Duck on Cotton Reel Lake at Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows and an Osprey over Deene Lake. 

Whilst out and about today I noticed small flocks of Fieldfares and Redwings heading north. They were definitely on the move. One day they are here and the next they have gone and you suddenly realise that you haven't seen one around for a while.    Siskins are also very noticeable at the moment and I am hearing and seeing them all over the place whilst I'm out.  Several flew over the garden and Dave Francis trapped 13 in his garden on the outskirts of Northampton in a short ringing session. 

Regards Eleanor 

Rooks are busy
feeding youngsters
in the nest now.

A good time of the
year to listen and watch
for the diminutive but
vibrant Firecrest!

Sunshine and Showers

 It has certainly been a funny old day weatherwise. My heart sank when I awoke to heavy rain.  Thankfully this was short lived and I was able to get out and about.  I didn't have a set route planned but ended up at Blueberry where I decided to check the paddocks and hedgerows for migrants.  All appeared quiet but a pale looking area in a hedge caught my eye and when I looked with my binoculars I was very surprised to see a Short-eared Owl.  Infact there were 3 birds sitting in the hedge seemingly enjoying the sunshine.   I assumed that these were the same birds from the nearby area below Lamport (private land) so I made a detour and checked out the area ( I have permission) only to find the 4 birds still there.

The first day of April lived up to its name of "April Showers" and no doubt influenced the scattering of migrants around the county. There were Little Gulls at Stanwick GP and Pitsford Reservoir,  Common Tern at Thrapston on Town Lake, Sedge Warbler and Swallows on the Nene near Whiston Lock, Common Redstart at Stanford Reservoir,  White Wagtail at Summer Leys and Yellow Wagtail at Earls Barton quarry.                                                                                   I went to Harrington Airfield late afternoon and I could see a weather front bringing rain approaching but wasn't quick enough to beat it. I ended up taking shelter under a bush with the dogs and once it had passed over I found that a Yellow Wagtail and Northern Wheatear had dropped in.  Other birds included 2 Short-eared Owls, 6 Grey Partridge and 12 Golden Plovers. 

April is always an exciting month when we say goodbye to our winter visitors and welcome our summer migrants and whilst the birds are on the move keep your ears and eyes open as absolutely anything could turn up!!

The Northamptonshire Bird Club will be meeting on Wednesday at 7.30pm at the Lodge, Pitsford Water.  There will be a talk by birdclub member Neil McMahon on " Cambodia Revisited " .  Everyone is very welcome. 

Regards Eleanor 

Singing male Blackcap
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Adult male Woodpigeon.

Birds of Easter Sunday

Hello

A mostly cool, grey and murky day with mist and fog first thing but it didn't prevent some more interesting records in the county.

A White Stork flying low over the A605 near Oundle by the Tansor turn-off this morning is likely to be the bird from last week still taking advantage of the flooded Nene Valley at the top end of the county.

At Thrapston Pits a Common Tern and an adult Little Gull were good finds on Town Lake this afternoon and five Little Gulls were at Eyebrook Reservoir today.

Stanwick Pits attracted two Black-tailed Godwits early this morning and Summer Leys LNR continues to hold on to a Cattle Egret, an Osprey was reported plus a Curlew over Earls Barton New Workings this morning. Seven Cattle Egrets were reported at Rushden Lakes, Ditchford Pits at lunchtime. A Wheatear was showing on a fence on the south side of Clifford Hill Pits.

A Pink-footed Goose was at Hollowell Reservoir late this morning and an early morning visit to Harrington Airfield in the murk yielded two Short-eared Owls and a probable Stone Curlew heard calling over the complex and departing to the south-east at about 8am. Once the mist had cleared, the top fields were checked late morning with no sign of the bird but a Raven, two pairs of Grey Partridges and eleven Brown Hares entertained.

A couple of Siskins and a Redpoll were near Cottesbrooke this morning and a female Siskin was on our garden feeders at Hanging Houghton with a Reed Bunting visiting too. A male Sparrowhawk took a Starling which fought back and eventually the Sparrowhawk lost it's grip and the Starling escaped.

Four Short-eared Owls remain in a field near Lamport and birds at Stanford Reservoir included two Swallows, two Shelduck, three Cetti's Warblers and three Willow Warblers. An adult Yellow-legged Gull, a male Peregrine and four Sand Martins were at the south end of Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon.

Regards

Neil M

Spring arrivals!

Not quite Easter bunnies!
Brown Hares at Harrington
Airfield.

Kestrel courtesy of
Tony Stanford.

Strong sunshine Saturday

Hello

A cold dawn led into a cracking day's weather with plenty of blue sky and warm sunshine and stimulating lots of bumblebees and butterflies to take to the wing, including the stunning Brimstones.

A ringing session at Linford Lakes on the edge of Milton Keynes was a resounding success with one hundred and twenty-eight birds processed of an extraordinary twenty species. Lingering migrant finches building up their fat reserves supplemented early spring migrants and the residents at a time of the year which can be lean for ringing. The finches endeavored to take centre stage with twenty-five Siskins, twenty Lesser Redpolls, nine Greenfinches, a Chaffinch and a Goldfinch. However they were competing with fourteen Reed Buntings, ten Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler and six Blackcaps and a new Cetti's Warbler. A Grey Wagtail is always a stand-out capture and the first processed on-site since 2016. Other birds included two Song Thrushes, three Blackbirds, three Long-tailed Tits, eighteen Blue Tits, six Great Tits, a Goldcrest, a Wren, two Dunnocks and three Robins.

Amongst the re-traps was a Greenfinch first ringed as a juvenile in August 2021, and perhaps a further indication that this species is beginning to fare better of late.

Three Great White Egrets were present plus a Goosander and two Common Snipe with three Grass Snakes being spotted and butterflies including Orange-tip.

A garden ringing session on the east side of Northampton today yielded ten Siskins, eight Goldfinches, a Greenfinch, two Coal Tits and a Robin. It seems that one of the Goldfinches was ringed elsewhere and we await the data accordingly.

One of the colour-ringed Waxwings present in Northampton at Far Cotton earlier this month has now been photographed in North London on 26th and 28th March indicating she is drifting south east from her previous venues this year of North Wales, Birmingham and Northampton.

A Peregrine was eating a dead Lapwing at Lilbourne Water Meadows this morning where there was also two Oystercatchers and two Shelduck with three Little Ringed Plovers on the adjacent DIRFT3/A5 pools. A Swallow was at Cottesbrooke village today.

At Harrington Airfield a Short-eared Owl and a Wheatear were seen and a Jack Snipe was still lingering at Hollowell Reservoir with a Brambling at Ravensthorpe Reservoir. A male Yellow Wagtail was at Stanford Reservoir and other birds included a Shelduck and three Ravens. A Curlew flew east over Daventry Country Park this morning.

In the Nene valley a male Common Redstart at Clifford Hill Pits was a good find and a rare March sighting, the bird frequenting the path between the Main Barrage Lake and Deep Water Lake. A Marsh Harrier and a Black-tailed Godwit were the most noteworthy birds at Stanwick Lakes this morning. Summer Leys LNR recorded a Curlew, the Grey Plover still, a Little Ringed Plover, two Oystercatchers, two Common Snipe and a Black-tailed Godwit. Two Great White Egrets and twelve Sand Martins were on the Titchmarsh Reserve at Thrapston Pits this afternoon and nearby at least two White-fronted Geese were showing distantly at Wadenhoe Water Meadows where there were also two Egyptian Geese and singles of Sedge, Willow and Cetti's Warblers.

Regards

Neil M

Goldfinch.

Grey Wagtail.

Reed Bunting.

Willow Warbler.

Grass Snakes.

All images courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Migrants in the Nene Valley

Hello

For me the day started with two vocal Barnacle Geese flying west over the house at Hanging Houghton early this morning, presumably the birds from Pitsford Reservoir yesterday.

A subsequent visit to Scotland Wood provided views of three mobile Crossbills and at least eleven Siskins. Nearby west of Lamport the four Short-eared Owls remain in a field (these birds seemingly do not hunt by day).

The three Black-tailed Godwits were still on the main pit at Stanwick Pits early this morning and at Earls Barton Pits the new workings attracted a Little Ringed Plover, two Oystercatchers, two Green Sandpipers and three Shelducks. At Summer Leys LNR a Sandwich Tern was present briefly, there were up to seven Black-tailed Godwits (later reducing to four), a Grey Plover, two Golden Plovers, a Little Ringed Plover, a Swallow and a Sand Martin.`

A Goosander was present at Stortons Pits and a Water Shrew was an excellent record.

A Swallow and eight Sand Martins were at Titchmarsh Reserve at Thrapston Pits and at Ditchford Pits a Cattle Egret was in a field near Ditchford Lane and the female Ring-necked Duck was still on the Cotton Reel Pit.

A blogsite has been created to represent the Northants Ringing Group and can be found at:-

https://northantsringinggroup.blogspot.com

Regards

Neil M

Greylag Geese courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Canada Geese courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Little Egret at Abington Park
courtesy of Dave Jackson.

Wet and windy for the most part!

Hello

Some more volatile weather again today and yet more significant rain!

Summer Leys LNR (probably with ample use of the hides by observers) proved to be the site providing most of the records today with a Black-tailed Godwit, a Grey Plover, two Little Ringed Plovers, five Common Snipe, eight Redshanks, a Little Gull, twenty Golden Plovers flying west and a Cattle Egret flying off east.

Nearby there were three Black-tailed Godwits at Stanwick Pits first thing and the 'redhead' Smew was still at Clifford Hill Pits this morning. The female Ring-necked Duck was still on Cotton Reel Lake at Ditchford Pits at lunchtime.

A singing Willow Warbler was at Castle Ashby sandpit this morning and an Osprey flew south of Hollowell village heading towards Ravensthorpe Reservoir late this morning.

At Pitsford Reservoir there were eight Sand Martins and an adult Yellow-legged Gull off the dam and two Barnacle Geese were in the Scaldwell Bay north of the causeway at noon. Twenty-five Golden Plovers was all I could see of note at Harrington Airfield this morning.

Regards

Neil M

Black-tailed Godwit
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Grey Heron courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Chiffchaff courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Rainbow at Hanging
Houghton yesterday evening.

Status Quo!

Hello

A quiet day in the county but it seems that Ditchford Pits was the place to be today with a female Ring-necked Duck on Cotton Reel Lake and the drake Common Scoter relocating to Dragonfly Lake on the Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows reserve.

A Mealy Redpoll remains at the attenuation pond off Sandy Lane, Duston and Pitsford Reservoir again produced a calling Lesser Spotted Woodpecker north of the causeway plus a Woodcock and a Barn Owl with four Sand Martins near to the dam.

The two Green Sandpipers were again in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.

Regards

Neil M

Muntjac courtesy 
of Tony Stanford.

Black-headed Gull
courtesy of Tony Stanford.

Drake Gadwall.

Marsh Tit.

Pitsford Reservoir CBC

Hello

The beginning of the breeding season brings with it more surveys and today was the first Common Bird Census of the reserve at Pitsford Reservoir. Robins, Wrens and Blue and Great Tits were in large numbers and there are already many 'on-territory' Chiffchaffs. Four singing Blackcaps were fresh-in and there were still small numbers of Siskin, Redwing and Fieldfare on-site. Three Kingfishers were logged and a pair of Ravens were on territory too. A calling Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was a surprise, this species is at a very low ebb in the county with very few records in recent years. Cormorants, Grey Herons and Rooks are all very busy on the reserve and there are already begging young Cormorants in some of the nests. The sunshine brough forth three Peacock butterflies and five Brimstones.

Two Green Sandpipers and two Grey Wagtails were again in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton, a couple of Siskins were at Scotland Wood and the Pink-footed Goose was still at Stanford Reservoir with a Raven there too.

Three Common Scoters were found by Mark at Ravensthorpe Reservoir today and despite plenty of fishing boats the sea-ducks pretty much ignored them and stayed all day.

The drake Common Scoter was still on Higham Lake at Ditchford Pits today and there were two Great White Egrets there too.

At Earls Barton Pits today the new workings attracted six Green Sandpipers, three Shelducks, a White Wagtail and three Grey Wagtails with Summer Leys LNR pulling in a Cattle Egret, two Black-tailed Godwits, three Little Ringed Plovers, a fly-through Merlin, a Shelduck, five Redshanks, two Oystercatchers, a Lesser Redpoll and five Siskins.

A Crossbill was heard calling at Bucknell Wood where there were also several Siskins and at least one Mealy Redpoll was still with Lesser Redpolls at the Sandy Lane attenuation pond on the outskirts of Duston, Northampton.

Quite a number of butterflies are on the wing during periods of sunshine including good numbers of Commas, 'whites' and even Speckled Woods and Orange-tips.

Regards

Neil M

Redshank courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Early morning Pheasant.

Peacock butterfly courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Comma butterfly courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

End of March birding

Hello

Migration has spluttered a bit in recent days but there was evidence that some birds are making it through.

A drake Common Scoter was on Higham Lake at Ditchford Pits today and at Earls Barton Pits there was a Curlew at Summer Leys LNR and the new workings/quarry attracted a drake Red-crested Pochard, a White Wagtail, two Green Sandpipers, a Redshank and a Shelduck.

Two Blackcaps were in a Wellingborough garden today and each day there is an increase in singing birds in the wider countryside as different populations of the same species begin to mix.

Four Short-eared Owls don't seem in a hurry to depart their field west of Lamport - there does seem to be plenty of voles about which is their staple diet. Two Green Sandpipers and two Grey Wagtails were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton with a Wheatear there briefly. A male Grey Wagtail was showing well at Upton Country Park.

A second year Caspian Gull, a drake Mandarin Duck and six Siskins were at Hollowell Reservoir this morning and a few Siskins were in Hanging Houghton village.

Harrington Airfield remained quiet with the best birds being just three Ravens and three Grey Partridges this afternoon and birds at Stanford Reservoir included four Pintail, an Oystercatcher and eight Ravens.

An Osprey was seen near Braybrooke this afternoon eating a fish on a telegraph pole (recorded by video).

Regards

Neil M

Grey Wagtail courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Coot courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Brown Hare courtesy
of John Tilly.

Cool but sunny Sunday

Hello

Cool winds but sunny weather today made it a good day to be out!

At Lilbourne Water Meadows this morning there were two Great White Egrets, two Oystercatchers, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Snipe.

An Oystercatcher was in the Brampton Valley below Brixworth first thing this morning and small numbers of Siskins were noted at Cottesbrooke and Kelmarsh Hall. 

At least one of the Mealy Redpoll was still at the Sandy Lane attenuation pool, Duston, Northampton this morning. A Swallow was seen with about twenty Sand Martins in the Nene Valley at Whiston Lock and a Wheatear was at Hinton Airfield at the south end on a ploughed field west of the barn.

Two more Wheatears were discovered at Willowbrook Industrial Estate at Corby at lunchtime and were still present early this afternoon.

Clifford Hill Pits hosted a 'redhead' Smew, a Peregrine and a pair of Oystercatchers and the Earls Barton quarry held a pair of Shelduck, five Redshanks, a Green Sandpiper, an Oystercatcher and a Little Ringed Plover. Three Cetti's Warblers were noted at Stortons Pits.

Regards

Neil M

Chiffchaff courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Mute Swans courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Rooks courtesy
of John Tilly.

Oystercatchers.