Ditchford GP

Hello

Today was spent wandering around Ditchford Gravel Pits completing a rather late WeBs count.

Birds west of Ditchford Lane included an adult drake Scaup, 3 Egyptian Geese, a first year Yellow-legged Gull, a first year Caspian Gull, 2 Little Egrets, a Woodcock, a Water Rail, a Kingfisher, 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Cetti's Warblers.

Birds east of Ditchford Lane included hundreds of Gadwall, 2 Woodcock, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Little Egret, a Water Rail, 5 Kingfishers, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Cetti's Warblers.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

 

Distant image of the

drake Scaup (centre

bird below the Coot).

Long-tailed Duck!

Hello

Thanks to Neil Hasdell's careful scanning, a Long-tailed Duck was located at Pitsford Res this afternoon, frequenting the Walgrave Bay.  This is a species which has become a very rare visitor to the county in recent years, no doubt linked to a world-wide reduction in numbers.  The bird was still present at dusk, still in the Walgrave Bay albeit it was seen in flight briefly.  Please see Neil's images below...

Other birds noted north of the causeway this afternoon included a Black-tailed Godwit and a drake Goosander, and 7 Little Egrets and 2 Great White Egrets were seen flying to roost.

A ringing session at Kelmarsh Hall today was very busy with 126 birds being caught of 12 species.  Confirming a good breeding year locally, 49 of 50 Blue Tits were birds fledged this year.  Great Tits and Goldfinches were similarly caught in good numbers and again with high numbers of youngsters from this year.  The overall catch included two Marsh Tits, four Coal Tits, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and ten Blackbirds.

Other birds noted included two Ravens, 1-2 Siskin(s), a Brambling, plenty of Nuthatches and a Kingfisher.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil M

Quick look!

Hello

A quick look at Pitsford Res this morning confirmed the continued presence of at least 2 Great White Egrets north of the causeway plus 3 Little Egrets and at least 8 Red-crested Pochard in the Scaldwell Bay.  A Dunlin was heard calling.

A female Peregrine was perched in a tree on the west side of Hanging Houghton this morning, there were 2 Ravens nearby and 2 Red Kites and at least 2 Bramblings near to Beck Dairy, Cottesbrooke.  Harrington Airfield seemed quiet.

Regards

Neil & Eleanor M

 

Common Buzzard

in afternoon sunshine

Blueberry Farm 

Wet, Windy Wednesday

A quick walk at Harrington this morning produced 4 Bramblings, again sitting very quietly in the bushes near the shooting wall. A flock of about 100 Golden Plover were very restless and vocal.  Heavy rain soon put a stop to my birding.

As soon as it stopped I went for a run. This means that I have to rely on my ears and I heard the familiar "cronk, cronk" of the Ravens as two went overhead near Lamport.  The Red Kites were equally as vocal, and there were 3 together near Draughton.
Late afternoon found me and Baz walking around Blueberry, again dodging the showers. The female Merlin was again present at dusk, as well as a Barn Owl and pair of Stonechat.

Neil visited Ravensthorpe Reservoir and noted a leucistic female Red-crested Pochard, a Kingfisher and a Water Rail. At Pitsford Res there were 2 Great White Egrets, one either side of the causeway.

A Woodcock was flushed at Sunderland Wood on the Kelmarsh Estate.

Regards

Eleanor + Neil

Northern Autumn Glory

It was a spur of the moment decision this morning to 'head north'! Following a hasty breakfast I literally bundled the dogs into the car and off we went for the day.

First stop was East Carlton Country Park where the ground was white with frost and the air crisp and clear. Initially it seemed very quiet but then I came across a flurry of activity as a rather vocal mixed tit flock moved through the bushes. As I watched them I realised that there was a number of additional birds quietly feeding on the floor, and counted 10+ Brambling.

Other birds included a male Blackcap, 30+ Siskin, 8+ Redpolls, Marsh Tit, Nuthatches and of course Red Kite.

I then drove the short distance to a large area of rough grass outside East Carlton [Wire Road], where the first bird I saw was a Short-eared Owl. I walked a quick circuit and bumped into a pair of Stonechat, 4 Lesser Redpoll and numerous Red Kites.

Coffee time found me at Wakerley Wood, and suitably refreshed I walked around for just over 2 hours and actually found places in the wood which I had never visited before.

The autumn colours were simply stunning, a beautiful mixture of yellows, gold, orange and brown bathed in the sunlight. The change in temperature meant that the trees were now shedding their leaves rapidly and it reminded me of confetti. I wish that I had taken my camera as I would have had a fantastic picture of Bazra, my collie boy, standing amongst the larch trees in the dappled sun with the fine larch needles gently falling over him. He looked fantastic against this backdrop.

Anyway, back to birding ......it was quiet, just a smattering of Siskin, Nuthatches, Marsh Tit, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Common Buzzard and Red Kite.

A Roe Deer stepped out onto the track in front of us and realised it's mistake and in slow motion it walked back into the trees and melted from view. The dogs took one look at it and thought "too big for us"!

There were some really sheltered areas in the wood and I saw at least 2 Red Admiral Butterfly, amazing for the time of year.

I usually visit the café at Fineshade Top Lodge for their delicious home made soup and today was no exception.  I only walked a short circuit here and it seemed quiet. I did come across 2 Brambling which were feeding on the ground.  My personal observations of the Bramblings this autumn is that there are quite a few about, but that they are not very vocal. They seem to be either sitting around or feeding quietly, just getting on with things rather than shouting about it.

Time to start making my way home, but I still had two further venues to visit. Firstly Blatherwycke Lake, which I always find a strange place, yet there is often something good there. I had to do a double take this afternoon as the first bird I saw was a Great White Egret standing on the grass towering over it's companions, 2 Little Egrets.  This place certainly attracts the geese and there were 100's of Greylag Geese and a careful look through them provided singles of Egyptian and Barnacle Goose. Other birds present were 4 Mandarin Duck, 2 Kingfisher, 12 Siskins and umpteen Red Kite and Common Buzzard.

As I was driving near Bulwick myself and the car coming towards me had to almost do an emergency stop as 2 Red Kites decided to swoop down into the road after a fresh road kill. The kites appeared totally oblivious to the potential danger they were in and played about like two children vying for the best bit of the meat. I wonder if they were youngsters who still have a lot to learn?

Final destination was Fermyn, somewhere I haven't visited for a while. The bushes in the country park itself were alive with Redwings and Fieldfares. I walked through the country park and headed to the Lady's/Souther Wood complex, but I stopped at the obvious open area of farmland where I could look back towards Fermyn and forwards towards Lyveden New Bield.  The fields towards Lyveden were alive with birds -  Black-headed Gulls, 50 Golden Plover, Lapwings, Starlings and corvids . I also counted 18 Red Kite in the air together, an amazing sight, and the sound of their evocative calls simply spine tingling.

A 'ringtail' Hen Harrier was quartering the fields near to Lyveden and a Merlin, on size suggesting a female, caused chaos for a few minutes as she zapped through.

It was difficult to draw myself away, but I had to as I was quite a way from the car with 2 tired dogs and it was dark when we reached the car park, all rather tired and muddy.

I think that the next few days are going to be quiet in comparison to today.

Regards

Eleanor

Grey day birds again...

Hello

Spending time at Pitsford Res today indicated that there were at least three Great White Egrets present but possibly four birds.  Two spent a long period south of the causeway with singles in the Scaldwell and Walgrave Bays at much the same time, however logistics ensured that it wasn't possible to see all the birds at the same time!  About ten Little Egrets also remain.

Other birds include one or two adult Yellow-legged Gull(s), 2 Redshank, 2 Dunlin and at least 2 Grey Wagtails.  Three Redwings and three Meadow Pipits were caught and ringed at the reservoir today.  A Chiffchaff and a redpoll sp were present in the adjacent Brixworth Country Park.

Birds at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this afternoon included a female Merlin, 2 Barn Owls, 2 Red Kites and the pair of Stonechat.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Birds of a grey day...

Hello

A little ringing at Kelmarsh Hall this morning resulted in 36 birds being captured in a single net, the highlights being a Goldcrest, a Marsh Tit and 12 Goldfinches.  However John Woollett and his team at Stortons GP enjoyed the exciting capture of a pair of Bearded Tits this morning!

Other birds seen at Kelmarsh this morning included two Ravens, a redpoll sp and 1-2 Siskin.

At Pitsford Res today, the three Great White Egrets were still present (two north of the causeway and one south), the 12 Red-crested Pochard were still in the Walgrave Bay and waders included a Black-tailed Godwit, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper and four Redshank.  A Chiffchaff, a Grey Wagtail and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were south of the causeway.  A flock of about a hundred Golden Plover was the only sighting of note at Harrington Airfield this afternoon.

Regards

Eleanor, Neil H and Neil M

 

Bearded Tits

Stortons GP

courtesy of

Chris Payne

Pitsford has it!

Hello

A modest ringing session at Pitsford Res utilising the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station produced a nice variety of birds including quite a few Goldfinches and Greenfinches, a Redwing and an adult male Lesser Redpoll.  Birding the site confirmed the continued presence of three Great White Egrets with two birds north of the causeway and a third ensconced south of the causeway on the Brixworth bank.  Other birds included 12 Red-crested Pochard in the Walgrave Bay and 5 Pintail and an adult Yellow-legged Gull in the Scaldwell Bay.  A Shelduck appeared north of the causeway and the day's surprise was three Black Swans touching down and swimming in to the Scaldwell Bay.  Waders were well represented with a gaggle of Snipe, 2 Redshank, a Green Sandpiper and 10 Golden Plovers.  There were plenty of Goldeneye and a Raven was heard croaking.

Birds elsewhere were hard work, Harrington Airfield provided 4 Bramblings by the shooting wall and the Blueberry Farm area yielded just 2 Stonechats and a Brambling.

Regards

Neil H, Neil M and Eleanor

 

Adult Redwing

Pitsford Res

Long-tailed Tits out in force!

Hello

A ringing session in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Reservoir this morning was enjoyable in the super late autumn sunshine and produced 91 small birds.  Bird of the session was definitely the Long-tailed Tit with 30 birds captured.  Other birds processed included 3 Song Thrushes, 6 Goldfinches, 2 Coal Tits and a Marsh Tit.

Other birds noted in the Walgrave Bay included a Raven, 7 Red-crested Pochard, a Little Egret, a Grey Wagtail and a Kingfisher.

A wander around Harrington Airfield this morning provided another viewing of an immature male Merlin, 2 Crossbills over heading towards Kettering, 8 Bramblings and 4 redpoll sp.

A Sparrowhawk took a Greenfinch off our garden feeder this afternoon, it all happening so quick that I don't think the prey item knew much about it.

This afternoon, birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and at the adjacent Blueberry Farm complex included a female Peregrine, 2 Red Kites, 2 Ravens, 2 Barn Owls and 2 Stonechat.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

November status quo

Hello

A visit to Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon produced the adult Mediterranean Gull in the gull roost again (assumed to be the regular returning wintering bird).  Two Great White Egrets and four Little Egrets were south of the causeway on the Brixworth bank and a Grey Wagtail was in the grounds of the yacht club.

A pair of Stonechat and a Barn Owl were noted at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell this afternoon.

Earlier in the day and an exploration of Harrington Airfield only provided heavy numbers of migrating Fieldfares plus four Bramblings.

Regards

E & N

Red-crested Pochards!

Hello

A quick scan at Ravensthorpe Reservoir from the causeway this morning was sufficient to see a leucistic female Red-crested Pochard, a Siskin and a Grey Wagtail.

At Pitsford Reservoir today, a flock of 21 Red-crested Pochard were in the Walgrave Bay at 12.10pm (including a leucistic male), and a Great White Egret was visible from the causeway about half an hour later.

Regards

Neil M

Egrets steal the show !

It has been another one of those autumn days which meant that birding won hands down over indoor jobs......they will get done one day, honest !

I began the day with my collie companions in the valley below Hanging Houghton and walked towards Blueberry. There was certainly no shortage of birds around. There was a constant movement of Skylarks and Starlings, but I think that the most amazing sight was that of literally hundreds and hundreds of Fieldfare flying across the fields resembling a "snow blizzard".
Other birds included 3 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Grey Partridge, Barn Owl, 2 Red Kites, 2+ Ravens, a pair of Stonechat and a few Tree Sparrows.

After brunch I decided to visit Pitsford Reservoir. On the small side at least 20 Red-crested Pochard were easily visible, the males looked stunning in the sunshine. Two Great White Egrets were together in the Scaldwell bay, along with 3 Redshank and 8 Pintail.

I decided that I would walk around the whole of the bigside !! Bazra, my old collie didn't look too impressed at the prospect, whilst Bobbie was delighted to be pushed around and act as my "scope bearer". 

As I walked across the causeway I noticed a group of walkers looking quite intently at something and laughing.  They were watching a Little Egret which was standing on a bed of weed next to the causeway and this bird was really playing to its audience. The bird was dancing about, turning from side to side and not remotely bothered by the people who were within touching distance. It evoked memories of being in the Everglades many years ago with Egrets etc literally walking over our feet.  This bird certainly gave a lot of pleasure to folk and who knows may have ignited a spark of interest in bird-watching. 

Later I was stopped by a couple of folk walking around as they said that they had just seen a "huge White Heron"!, and I was able to confirm that indeed they were looking at a huge White Heron or more specifically the third Great White Egret currently present. We then chatted and they were keen to find out more about the birds and some of the other birds nearby.

Other birds around the big side included a Redshank, Ruff, 2 Dunlin, 10+ Lesser Redpoll and another pair of Red-crested Pochard.

It took me just over 4 hours to walk around and it was dark by the time I returned to my car; a couple of Little Owls were making all kinds of weird and wonderful noises near to the causeway.

Regards

Eleanor

And an afternoon of drizzle too...

Hello

A wander in the midday drizzle at Harrington Airfield today provided views of a Peregrine and about c100 Golden Plovers.  Good numbers of Chaffinches are currently feeding on the seed at the concrete track entrance, and some days a few Bramblings join them.

At about 1.20pm this afternoon, 4 Red-crested Pochard were visible in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res, and presumably different birds from the birds seen in the Scaldwell Bay earlier on.

A change of scenery this afternoon with a visit over to Stanwick GP; however the birds were about as dismal as the weather!  The gulls didn't behave and kept away from the main lake and other birds noted included a Kingfisher, a Little Egret, a Redshank, a Dunlin and two Chiffchaffs with plenty of Water Rails and Cetti's Warblers audible from the reed margins.

A ringing session at Stortons GP on Sunday was very successful with 60+ birds being captured which included Water Rail, Redwing, Song Thrush and Treecreeper in addition to the usual Reed Buntings, Chaffinches, tits etc.

Regards

E & N

Birds of the heavy drizzle!

Hello

In pretty filthy conditions this morning, a couple of Ravens were near Cottesbrooke and two each of redpoll sp and Brambling were on the Brampton Valley Way below Brixworth.

At Pitsford Res, scanning in to the Scaldwell Bay revealed that the Red-crested Pochard flock had increased to 18 birds including a leucistic male.  Apart from a scattering of Goldeneye the only other bird of note visible in the wet and murky conditions was an adult Yellow-legged Gull.

Regards

E & N

A sunny November day!

Hello

A bird ringing session took place in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res this morning, after setting up yesterday afternoon.  In excess of sixty birds were caught, the majority being tits but also included a Treecreeper, 4 Goldcrests, 2 Linnets, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and several of the thrush family.  Highlights amongst the tits included singles of both Willow and Marsh.  Three Crossbills flew south west over the bay shortly after 9am and a couple of redpoll sp and Little Egrets were seen on and off.  A migrant flock of about a hundred Woodpigeons flew south west shortly after dawn and small numbers of Redwings were fidgeting about and flying over.

At Blueberry Farm (Maidwell) this morning birds included a female Peregrine, 3+ Red Kites, a Barn Owl and a pair of Stonechat.  The warm sunshine was sufficient to attract Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral butterflies to fly again today.

At Harrington Airfield this afternoon, the young male Merlin was again present and spending time around the third bunker.

At Pitsford Res late this afternoon, the gull roost attracted an adult Mediterranean Gull and quite an influx of Herring Gulls which included many of the 'argentatus' types.  A Great White Egret and at least 4 Little Egrets were active between the causeway and the dam, the GWE spending time fishing the shoreline between the Gorse Bushes and the Pintail Bay.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

 

Willow Tit

 

Dodgy digi-scope images of

adult Mediterranean Gull

Pitsford Reservoir!

A day of heavy passage...

Hello

Today was a day of very heavy diurnal migration with thousands of Starlings passing south through the county and regular very large flocks of Woodpigeons and Fieldfares flapping the same way.  A large skein of about a hundred Pink-footed Geese flew over Blueberry Farm this morning, disappearing off towards Haselbech at about 9.45am.  A couple of Red Kites and the pair of Stonechat were still present and two Ravens were about.

Harrington Airfield today hosted c100 Golden Plovers, a female Peregrine, c8 Bramblings and 2 Red Kites.

Birds in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Res this afternoon included 4 Red-crested Pochard, 2 Goldeneye, a Grey Wagtail and a Barn Owl.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Birds before the rain...

Hello

A ringing session at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at Pitsford Reservoir provided 57 captures, the majority of which were new birds.  Birds included 10 Tree Sparrows, 7 Goldfinches, 5 Chaffinches, 2 Redwings and a Meadow Pipit.

Other birds seen in the Scaldwell Bay included 12 Red-crested Pochard, c10 Pintail and 2 Green Sandpipers, a couple of Little Egrets and a Grey Wagtail

Also this morning there was a Grey Wagtail at Hanging Houghton, a Red Kite in the Brampton Valley below the village and 2 Ravens near Cottesbrooke.

A wander around Harrington Airfield produced a heavy passage of Starlings, 2 Little Egrets on standing water on the top fields, c50 Golden Plovers, 2 Red Kites and 10+ Bramblings (shooting wall area).  However the best bird was a first year Ring Ouzel around the third bunker.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

A day of Kites !!

The day started with an early morning wander at Harrington Airfield, where there were at least 10 Bramblings along the main track. At the moment there does appear to be good numbers of Yellowhammer, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Linnet and Skylark which are worthy of a good long scan.......just in case!
There were also 2 Ravens, 2 Red Kites and 2 Grey Partridge.
Late morning found me walking around Sywell Reservoir where there are muddy margins and this afforded good views of 2 Water Rails running around squealing their heads off. How does such a lovely bird make these blood curdling noises ?! Even the dogs were bemused by the noise.
There was also a Green Sandpiper, 2 Grey Wagtails, pair of Stonechat, 2 Red Kites,  6 Lesser Redpolls and at least 30 Siskin.
Whilst enjoying lunch at Beckworths Emporium with friends I noticed 3 Red Kites circling above us.
My final outing was the southern end of the Blueberry Complex where the pair of Stonechat remain, and nearby 2 further Red Kites, a Barn Owl and a male Merlin whizzed over towards Hanging Houghton.
I saw 9 Red Kites today, that was without really trying, but I never tire of watching them, such graceful birds with their evocative call.

Regards Eleanor

Wet birding!

Hello

Eleanor's excursions today included a visit to Harrington Airfield which saw two over-flying Crossbills, 12 Bramblings and smaller numbers of Siskins and redpoll sp plus a couple of Ravens.

At Harlestone Heath there were at least two flighty Crossbills, c50 Siskins and a few redpoll sp.

Regards

Neil M

Pitsford a.m.

Hello

Birds at Pitsford Reservoir today include at least two Great White Egrets (Scaldwell Bay and Gorse Bushes), 12 Red-crested Pochard and 13 Pintail (Scaldwell Bay), a Grey Wagtail and a Brambling.

Regards

Neil M

Welland and Woods!

Hello

With bright and breezy conditions today we decided that an excursion to the north of the county was well overdue.  However before we set off four Crossbills flew south-west over the garden here at Hanging Houghton (7.20am).

Our first venue was East Carlton Country Park which hosted plenty of common birds which included a Woodcock, a Kingfisher, c20 Siskins, several redpoll including a large pale bird seen only in flight, a Brambling and a Grey Wagtail.

We then meandered up the Welland Valley and took a diversion on to the old Harringworth Airfield.  Plenty of passerines and Red Kites galore but nothing was found out of the ordinary.  Adjacent Wakerley Wood provided views of four Crossbills, c10 Siskins, a few redpoll sp and tits and woodpeckers.

More views of Red Kites in the afternoon sunshine at Fineshade were enjoyable, with plenty of Common Buzzards competing for air space too.  A Kingfisher, a Brambling and just a few redpoll sp and Siskins were noted and the feeders in front of the Wildlife Hide were providing good views of common woodland birds.  Insects included Hornet, Red Admiral and Comma.

Our last venue was Blatherwycke Lake as the sun began to seriously dip and the temperature plummet.  The large flock of Greylag and Canada Geese also included a Barnacle, the Mandarin Duck flock totalled twenty-two and other birds included lots of Red Kites, three Little Egrets, two Kingfishers and a Grey Wagtail.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

 

With a bumper autumn of goodies on

offer here's hoping the Grey Squirrels stay

off our bird feeders!

 

Blue Tit

Fineshade

 

Common Buzzard

 

Red Kites

 

Greylag Geese

Blatherwycke

Yet more windy conditions!

Hello

The regular autumn theme of strong wind and showers continued today, with the sun coming through later in the day and the temperature dropping to the point where gloves were required for the first time this autumn!

Morning birds included a Short-eared Owl and 2 Stonechats at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and a couple each of Siskin and redpoll sp in Scaldwell village.

Birds in Hanging Houghton village today included a Brambling and a Grey Wagtail.

A scan at Ravensthorpe Reservoir this afternoon provided views of the expected Grey Wagtail and Green Sandpiper but nothing out of the ordinary, unless you include the stunning black and pebbled emulsion-white plumage Coot that is currently in residence!

Harrington Airfield this afternoon again attracted a male Merlin, a Red Kite and two Bramblings.

The gull roost at Pitsford Res was sufficient to attract a third year Yellow-legged Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull, with a Grey Wagtail at the water-line.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Blustery Blueberry !

A very entertaining walk around Blueberry area this afternoon thanks to the antics of a Common Buzzard and a collie called Bazra !!.
We started our walk below Hanging Houghton and as we headed towards Blueberry the fields were "pulsating" with literally hundreds of Fieldfares and good numbers of Redwing, Starling and Skylark. These proved irresistible to a Peregrine Falcon, who could easily have caught any of these birds, but instead seemed happy to play in the wind.
The largest and highest field of the Blueberry complex has been cut and this appeared very attractive to 2 Red Kites, a male Merlin, several Kestrels and 4+ Common Buzzard. 
As we neared the summit I could hear a "squeaking" noise coming from an area of grass which hadn't been cut. Bazra went ahead to investigate and in doing so he "flushed" a Common Buzzard from the ground, which flew up carrying it's prey. I don't think the Buzzard realised that I was only a few metres behind and as it rose the wind blew the Buzzard my way. I could have caught it's prey item as it dropped it at my feet.......a slightly stunned Weasel, which shook itself off and disappeared into the grass with Bazra in pursuit, but being the obedient collie he is he soon left the Weasel in peace.  I can't remember the last time I actually saw a Weasel.
Birds seen on the walk back to the car included 2 Barn Owls, pr Stonechat and a "brown" Crow.
Prior to going out for a walk I had been tidying the garden and a Red Kite, 2 Ravens, Brambling, several Siskin and Grey Wagtail had gone over.

Regards Eleanor

Harrington a.m.

Hello

Eleanor spent some time up at Harrington Airfield this morning and again saw the male Merlin.  There were 10 -14 Bramblings present including two on seed by the main concrete track entrance.

A re-trapped male Sparrowhawk in the garden this morning was first captured in 2006 and is now eight years old!

Regards

Neil M

Local bird stuff

Hello

A ringing session at the Old Scaldwell Road feeding station at Pitsford Reservoir this morning resulted in 45 captures, the majority of which were new birds.  New birds included a Lesser Redpoll, a Bullfinch, 3 Goldfinches, 7 Greenfinches, a Reed Bunting, 5 Tree Sparrows and 6 Goldcrests.

Other birds noted north of the causeway included 2 Great White Egrets, half a dozen Little Egrets, a Green Sandpiper, 7 Pintail and 7 Red-crested Pochard.

Birds noted at Harrington Airfield this morning included a male Merlin again, c200 Golden Plovers, 6 Bramblings, 4 Siskins and 8 fly-over redpoll sp.  A Raven and 2 Siskins were in residence at Scotland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate) this afternoon.

Regards

Neil & Eleanor

A day of "surprises" !

Birding, running or household jobs.......a dilemma I'm faced with each morning !!
This morning I opted to start my day with a run along the Brampton Valley Way and I soon became aware of the alarm/mobbing calls of blackbirds and chaffinches in the hedge . I stopped and stuck my head into the hedge and I honestly do not know who was more surprised, me or it....a very bemused Long Eared Owl, which flew off in the direction of Brixworth.
Then it was time to walk the dogs and we took a leisurely walk around the big side of Pitsford Reservoir.  I nearly missed the first good bird, a Ring Ouzel, perched on a lone bush in the field next to the causeway car park. I confess to nearly not bothering to raise my binoculars to it!!.  There were 3 Great White Egrets together on the shoreline infront of the gorse bushes. Quite a sight, although they were rather nervous and as I watched 2 flew onto the small side and I saw them later in the Scaldwell Bay, whilst 1 remained at the gorse bushes.  I lost count of the number of Little Egrets, easily in double figures.  
As it was bright and breezy it wasn't long before the raptors were up and about, with a female Peregrine chasing the lapwings and a Red Kite causing some panic amongst the wildfowl.
The area below the dam looks quite interesting at the moment as it is soggy grass fields with horses grazing.  A Black Redstart was a surprise find, but the "local" robin was a nuisance as it kept chasing it around.  A Green Sandpiper was also present.
On the small side [scaldwell bay] were 3 Dunlin, a Redshank and 10 Red Crested Pochard.
Neil's token effort was a Grey Wagtail and Yellow Legged Gull from the dam at Pitsford Reservoir.

Regards Eleanor

Dip day!

Hello

Eleanor popped over to Woodford Halse this morning but the Hoopoe didn't show and is presumed now gone?  A walk around Borough Hill Country Park at Daventry thereafter didn't find any birds of note.  And continuing the theme, Eleanor walked around Sywell Country Park this afternoon and still can't think of anything noteworthy to report!  Ah well that's how it goes sometimes!

I spent 90 minutes this afternoon on a short walk around Ecton Sewage Works but only saw three Chiffchaffs, a Siskin, a Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail.

Regards

Neil M

Housework versus Birding !!!!!

Today was earmarked for housework and jobs, ha ha !! But on such a bright and breezy day I felt compelled to visit Harrington, Pitsford and Blueberry.........exercising the dogs of course, with a bit of birdwatching thrown in !!!

At Harrington Airfield the male Merlin whizzed low over the fields causing chaos with the Skylarks. There were at least 2 or 3 Red Kites and numerous Common Buzzard enjoying the breeze. For some reason the bushes near the "shooting wall" seem to be attractive to at least 2 Bramblings who sit very quietly watching the world go by.

I had been at Harrington for at least an hour before I saw the Great Grey Shrike around the last bunker. It really was a case of blink and you will miss it, as it literally hopped up onto a bush and dropped off out of view.

My mission at Pitsford was to find a "storm" driven bird !, but I failed.  Although it looks very good there and has potential I didn't find anything new.  On the big side there was a Peregrine Falcon, 2 Green Sandpipers and 3 Lesser Redpoll.  On the small side there were again 3 Great White Egret and at least 7 Little Egret.  The 10 Red-crested Pochard were in the Walgrave Bay and the males looked stunning in the Autumn sunshine. There were also several Pintail and Goldeneye.

My final walk was at the southern most end of the Blueberry complex, but it was quiet, apart from a pair of Stonechat.

Tomorrow is forecast to be another nice day.........

Regards Eleanor

Not a lot!

Hello

This afternoon a walk around Blueberry Farm, Maidwell provided views of 2 Barn Owls, a pair of Stonechat, 12 Bramblings and 2 redpoll sp in flight.  The gull roost at Pitsford Res only yielded 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls.

Regards

E & N

Post-storm birds

Hello

A walk at Harrington Airfield this morning proved the Great Grey Shrike was still in residence and still very mobile (still present at 10.30am).  Other birds included a Red Kite, 2-3 Ravens, a Siskin, a redpoll sp and 2 Bramblings.

A scan from the causeway at Pitsford Res confirmed now three Great White Egrets in residence, all on view at the same time with at least five Little Egrets (12.40pm).

Regards

E & N

 

Great Grey Shrike

 

An autumn charm

of Goldfinches set

in a hawthorn bush

full of berries

Hoopoe!

Hello

This morning and a visit to Pitsford Res provided views of birds north of the causeway which included 2 Great White Egrets, at least 4 Little Egrets, 10 Red-crested Pochards, 12 Pintail, 3 Green Sandpipers and a redpoll sp.

Found today between Woodford Halse and Eydon in the west of the county was a very unexpected but welcome item of avian exotica in the shape of a Hoopoe!  This bird was feeding in a car park to a small fishery between the villages and because everyone kept their distance the Hoopoe fed unconcernedly and reasonably close.

On the way back we called in at Borough Hill Country Park where Bazra enjoyed a good game - the only bird of note was a Chiffchaff.

We finished at Ravensthorpe Reservoir which provided views of a male Peregrine and a Pintail.

Regards

Neil H and Neil M

 

Great White Egret

Pitsford Res

 

 

 

Even Hoopoes are

allowed a little stretch

and yawn!

 

Airfield adventures

Hello

Well I spent much of the day cleaning and disinfecting bird feeders and making preparations to again start a number of wild bird feeding stations as well as maintaining the couple that we run all year.  With such mild conditions it is important to realise that bacteria and disease will potentially fester in bird feeders and spread much more quickly that in cold and frosty weather.  We are hoping to maintain ten sites this winter which will require plenty of food and time to ensure that the local and transient birds have something to fall back on.

This afternoon we ventured out to Harrington Airfield where the Great Grey Shrike showed well, and was seen to catch and consume a Bumble-bee.  The best way to see this bird continuously is to walk along the concrete track and scan towards the old airstrip.  It has favoured locations and it is better to watch these from a distance with a telescope rather than walking around the bushes and obtaining brief views.  Observers today were spending a great deal of time searching for the bird and continually flushing it without seeing it, such is the poor viewing conditions amongst the bushes and around the bunkers.  There is no general permitted access around the airstrip and bunkers, the only footpath is along the concrete track and it is likely that although the landowner has few concerns about a few people walking the rough areas, a large number of people may cause a change of view to the point where no-one is permitted access to the old airstrip and bunkers.

A number of common raptors were on the wing at Harrington Airfield this afternoon, and a first year male Merlin 'beat up' the top fields and rape field next to the firing range wall in pursuit of Skylarks (3.50pm).  Other birds included at least 42 Golden Plovers and 2 Bramblings.

Regards

Neil M

 

Merlin in

virtual silhouette

Breezy Blueberry!

Hello

Eleanor's excursion to Blueberry Farm, Maidwell in breezy conditions this morning provided views of a Short-eared Owl, 2 Red Kites and 2 Stonechats, all birds towards the southern end of the complex.

Regards

Neil M

Catching up with the birds!

Hello

First thing this morning and Eleanor revisited Harrington Airfield and kept to the concrete track.  She saw the first year Ring Ouzel which flew towards the third bunker.

Mid-morning saw two Ravens present at Hanging Houghton.

This afternoon and I found time to have a wander at Harrington Airfield.  Thanks to Alan Coles I saw the Great Grey Shrike perched on a small isolated bunker between the concrete track and the old airstrip (1.15pm) - thanks Alan!

After a quick wander around the copse further on, I returned to scan the fields and this time the Ring Ouzel was pointed out to me, this bird on the same concrete bunker that had hosted the shrike.  The Ring Ouzel was then watched for quite a time gently plucking and consuming the last of the elderberries (still present at 2.20pm).

A Peregrine chased some corvids around in the strong breeze and plenty of raptors on view included at least one Red Kite.  About seventy Golden Plover were present but mobile.

A quick look at Pitsford Res this afternoon provided views of a Great White Egret, nine Red-crested Pochard and six Pintail in the Scaldwell Bay and at least four Little Egrets scattered about the reserve.  There was an adult Yellow-legged Gull north of the causeway and subsequently a different bird off the dam.

Some scanning over parts of Blueberry Farm (Maidwell) late afternoon drew a blank but a Grey Partridge was heard again.  A 'ringtail' Hen Harrier was reported for yesterday afternoon.

Regards

Neil M

 

Red Kite

 

Common Buzzard

 

Golden Plover

Harrington Hey Day!

Harrington Airfield was certainly the place to be today, and for those birders lucky enough to visit and experience the "magic" of Harrington, a truly memorable experience of witnessing this site at its best.

Over the course of the day, beginning at 07.30hrs and ending at 18.00 some amazing birds were seen, although not by any one person.   Here is my account of my Harrington experience:-

I arrived at 07.30hrs and the first bird I saw was a male Merlin disappearing over the fields chasing the Skylarks, so I thought "that's a good start".  Anyway as I walked up the road to access the rough area I was aware of buntings, larks and finches flying over, a good indication of visible passage happening. It wasn't long before I had notched up a flock of 8 redpoll sp, 2 Crossbills, several Siskins, Tree Sparrows and at least 6 Brambling.   At the very end bunker I disturbed a Short-eared Owl sitting in the morning sunshine. There were large numbers of Skylark, Yellowhammers, Meadow Pipits and Chaffinches, as well as Red Kite, Common Buzzard and a flock of 50 Golden Plovers.

I really didn't want to leave but I needed to be back home by 9 o' clock for an appointment, so it really was a very quick circuit, birding and walking one of our dogs, and I just know that I was missing things and hadn't done Harrington justice.

Following my appointment I felt the desire to go for a run and even whilst running around the Cottesbrooke area could hear Skylarks and Meadow Pipits.  There were 2 Ravens near Cottesbrooke village.

One of our dogs is on restricted walking due to her operations and I take her out in a buggy, especially for dogs....mad I know !!! So as soon as I returned from my run I took both dogs out for a walk, or rather one walking and pushing the other, along the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton. Again there were big numbers of Skylark, Yellowhammers and Tree Sparrows, and being bright and breezy no shortage of Common Buzzard and Red Kite.

Whilst walking along I received a message informing me of a 'Great Grey Shrike at Harrington'!!!  I wasn't at all surprised, but disappointed that I hadn't found it. Anyway we did a quick about turn and I called in the house for my 'scope and camera and off we went to Harrington.

When I dispatched Bazra, my old collie out of the car his face was incredulous as he looked at me as if to say " but I've already walked along here this morning !" Anyway the G G Shrike was soon located around the middle bunkers and although distant showed well. It then became quite mobile whizzing around the bunkers and bushes, where it appeared to catch a large butterfly amongst other things.   It was never difficult to relocate as the Blue Tits, Chaffinches, Robin, Dunnocks etc didn't like it and were mobbing it continually.

On leaving the shrike I drove further down the road and parked at the main entrance and extracted the buggy and Bobbie and took her for a walk along the main track. Poor Bazra really thought I'd lost the plot and overdosed on Harrington, he couldn't believe it.

Anyway I pushed her slowly along the track, again aware of the sheer numbers of passerines present. As I neared the bunker and straw bales on the track I saw at least 6 Bramblings on the field edge, some of which were in bright orange plumage. The G G Shrike then appeared on the bushes nearby and also frequented the bales of straw.  There were quite a few Chaffinch, Yellowhammer etc around the straw and again they did not like the shrike alone and were constantly mobbing it.

At one point it felt like "bird overload" as whilst I was watching the shrike I could hear the familiar cronk of the Ravens and harsh call of the Bramblings.

There were also numerous Common Buzzard and at least 3 Red Kites in the area.

Finally I had to draw myself away but that didn't stop me birding as over the garden whilst I was mowing or rather chopping up the wet lawn I had Red Kite, 2 redpolls, 2 or 3 Brambling, 2 Grey Wagtails and Nuthatch.

Subsequent visits by other birders at Harrington Airfield this afternoon located quality passage migrants in the shape of a Black Redstart and a Ring Ouzel.

Neil only managed to get out briefly this evening (shame!) and popped down to Blueberry Farm where he saw 2 Barn Owls, a Stonechat and heard Grey Partridge.

Regards Eleanor

 

Great Grey Shrike

 

Red Kite

 

Bobbie's mobile hide

and 'scope carrying

chariot!

Pitsford ringing

Hello

Dave Francis managed a short ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res this morning.  This produced 31 new birds and good numbers of re-trapped residents which included a fine female Sparrowhawk, which was first caught and ringed at the main feeding station in January 2012.  New birds included 5 Goldcrests, 2 Redwings and a Kingfisher.

My thanks to Dave for this information and continued effort on-site.

Regards

Neil M

Blustery birds

Hello

The first part of today was spent at Ditchford GP which was initially wet and blustery, and then it became sunny and blustery!

Two Egyptian Geese were present west of Ditchford Lane and at least one Peregrine was coasting around on the strong breeze.  Other bird sightings were modest but included 4-5 Little Egrets, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Wagtails and 4 Kingfishers.  Insects remained busy in the mild conditions with still reasonable numbers of Migrant Hawker and Common Darter whizzing about and several species of butterfly too.

A Brambling was seen at Hanging Houghton first thing this morning and a visit to Ravensthorpe Res this afternoon yielded a first winter Mediterranean Gull, a Green Sandpiper and a Kingfisher.

A late afternoon wander around Blueberry Farm, Maidwell provided a brief view of the adult male Hen Harrier again, with a 'ringtail' Hen Harrier being seen twice by another birder before this.  As the light began to diminish, 2-3 Barn Owls emerged to hunt and two Ring Ouzels flew in to roost in a field hedge near to the southern end of the complex.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil McMahon

Wet and windy

Hello

Out birding today in mild but wet and wild conditions produced some birds of interest.

This morning a walk at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell provided a hunting adult male Hen Harrier, a Peregrine, a Red Kite, a Chiffchaff and some winter thrushes.  A Grey Wagtail was present at Hanging Houghton.

At Harrington Airfield this afternoon birds were a little sparse with two Ravens and seventy Golden Plovers on-site.

The gull roost at Pitsford Res this evening produced an adult Caspian Gull, an adult Yellow-legged Gull and a Grey Wagtail.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Stortons Bird Ringing

Hello

John Woollett and other members of the Northants Ringing Group spent time at Stortons GP today catching and ringing 60 migrant and resident birds.  Highlights included a new Cetti's Warbler, a Chiffchaff and a Redwing.

Regards

Neil M

A little 'wet' Cornish birding

Hello

Birding in some violent storms with hail and thunder and lightening was interesting this morning as we paid The Hayle Estuary a visit!

A fishing Osprey braved the conditions at high tide, dealing with the heavy rain far better than us!  When the heavy weather passed, scanning the estuarine birds revealed a Garganey, three Pintail, a couple of Brent Geese, up to ten Mediterranean Gulls and a variety of common waders.

A visit to Long Rock sands produced more common coastal birds plus a couple of views of a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling visiting gardens with Starlings.

Then time for the long journey back home to 'sunny' Northants...

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

 

Mediterranean Gull

 

Curlew

 

Little Egret

Last day on Scillies

Hello

Our last day on the Isles of Scilly today.  The anticipated rain arrived at dawn but then unexpectedly cleared up after about two hours and it quickly became very warm and sunny with extensive blue skies. 

The strong southerly wind produced plenty of new butterflies to the islands with a small invasion of Painted Ladies joining the still plentiful Red Admirals, Clouded Yellows and others.  A Hummingbird Hawk-moth was probably associated with the same movement.  It seemed that Chiffchaffs had also increased in number with small flocks in lots of places on St Mary's.

A final wander up to Borough Farm was worth it with one small field there holding four Black Redstarts, what was probably the same long-staying Wryneck and plenty of Meadow Pipits, White Wagtails and Redwings.  Nearby Newford Duck Pond continued to host a couple of Yellow-browed Warblers plus several Chiffchaffs and at least one late Willow Warbler.  Watermill Cove hosted more common warblers and a hunting Merlin.  Small numbers of late Swallows and a couple of House Martins had arrived by early afternoon.

Carrying on our birding circuit we looked in at Content Farm, the wooded track still attracting a Yellow-browed Warbler and more common migrants.  Our final venue was Lower Moors which still held two Yellow-browed Warblers in the ancient sallows.

Then it was time to board the Scillonian III and we left Hugh Town at the early time of 3pm in a successful bid to beat a ferocious weather storm coming in from the south-west.  Plenty of Gannets were fishing the waters between the isles and Land's End but other birds were restricted to a couple of Bonxies and small numbers of Razorbill, Guillemot and Kittiwake.  Never mind, the frequent pods of Common Dolphins on intercept mode with the Scillonian III delighted the passengers!

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

 

Common Dolphin

 

Gannet

Scillies Day 21 (Friday 18th Oct)

Hello

A rather wet day today with some heavy showers and strong southerly winds.  Remarkably mild though.  Another day on St Marys, and the wettest day of the trip to date.

The birds were mostly repeats of previous days with three Firecrests, five Yellow-browed Warblers and singles of Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting, Jack Snipe and Peregrine.  A couple of Ravens put in an appearance in the afternoon and the high tide at Porthellick provided counts of ten Greenshanks and ten Snipe.  A Little Grebe was a local rarity for the island!  One or two Kingfisher(s) added some colour to the day.

Regards

E & N

Scillies Day 20 (Thursday 17th Oct)

Hello

We aimed to visit the island of Bryher today but the tides didn't permit an early boat.  So after a few hours birding on St Mary's, we travelled over to the private island of Tresco on the 10.15am boat and then caught a boat from there at 12.30pm to make landfall on the small island of Bryher.

A Yellow-browed Warbler called continually again around our chalet first thing.  A quick walk around the Great Pool at Tresco yielded another Yellow-browed Warbler, this time showing itself well in Sycamores, a Jack Snipe was flushed from the track and other birds included Stonechat, Wheatear, an apparent migrant flock of 9 Blue Tits, Reed Warbler and common waders and wildfowl.

On to Bryher and a good walk around the north-west end of the island produced a couple of Ring Ouzels, half a dozen Wheatears and a Black Redstart.  Plenty of Rock Pipits inhabited the beaches and a small flock of waders included a rather oddly-plumaged Little Stint.  A further wander around other areas of the island provided a Whinchat and another Black Redstart but not much else.

Scanning the waters and island just off Bryher provided plenty of gulls including a Mediterranean, common waders, plenty of Little Egrets and the usual Grey Seals.  The very warm conditions and strong sunshine made we wish I hadn't bothered with a coat!

On our return to St Mary's we walked around the Garrison and saw a stunning adult male Back Redstart, which interestingly was ringed on its right leg.

After a fish and chip supper on Porthcressa Beach it was time to retire to our chalet and bed down two very tired collies!

Neil M

 

Beware!  Female birder

and Bazra the collie

on Bryher!

 

Bryn - still full of

energy as always!

 

Little Stint

Scillies Day 19 (Wednesday 16th Oct)

Hello

Today saw a shift in the wind to a strong south-westerly, the typical wind direction for this part of the world.  Wall to wall sunshine ensured there were many insects on the wing and the butterflies still included Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Large White, Clouded Yellow, Speckled Wood, Comma and Small Copper.

I tried an early morning sea-watch session from Peninnis Head but apart from plenty of  Gannets, a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a hunting Merlin didn't see much of note.  I then took yet more photos of the long-staying Snow and Lapland Buntings and wandered in to Old Town Churchyard to yet again not see the Grey-cheeked Thrush!

Meeting up with Eleanor and the two collies for brunch at the Old Town Café; Eleanor had managed to see a couple of Black Redstarts on her travels.

We then meandered around St Mary's and managed to notch up at least five Yellow-browed Warblers, a Jack Snipe, a Sparrowhawk, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 3-4 Grey Wagtails, 10 Greenshank, a Whimbrel, another Black Redstart, a Siskin, a Kingfisher and still a few Swallows and a House Martin.  Small numbers of Wheatear, Chiffchaff and Blackcap persisted.

Regards

Neil M

 

Another 'headstone'

Robin!

 

Song Thrushes.  The first

bird was consuming 

Palm Tree flowers/buds.

 

Adult male of the

local Scillonian race of

Blackbird (minor plumage

and vocal differences to

the mainland birds).

 

First year male

Blackbird.

 

Yummy Blackberries.

Just need some apple

crumble to add to the

mix!