Newsround 18th to 24th July 2026

Posted on by Mike Alibone

With migrants on the move, the penultimate week of July wasn’t too bad, as it happened. The prevailing wind from northerly quarters took the edge off the heat and, while parts of Wales declared official drought conditions, six counties in central and southern England moved a step closer, officially announcing ‘prolonged dry weather’, the Environment Agency’s drought status that sits between ‘normal’ and ‘drought’ conditions. Northamptonshire was one of these, this following Anglian Water’s hosepipe ban announced the week before. Funny, that, because if you take a look at Pitsford, the county’s largest reservoir, there are only narrow muddy margins running to about the extent expected for the time of year. Hopefully there will be waders aplenty in the weeks to come …

Seemingly settled and beginning its summer moult, the female Ruddy Shelduck remained all week at Stanford Res where, on the first day of the period, a female-type Ferruginous Duck was also present. Most certainly from nearby Shawell, just over the border in Leicestershire, where it was seen earlier in the month, this individual has been earmarked as of ‘unknown origin’ and forms part of a cluster of unseasonal summer sightings in this part of the Midlands over the past couple of years. In fact, all Ferruginous Duck records in neighbouring Warwickshire since 2021 have been relegated to Category E by the British Birds Rarities Committee.

No such derision of status applies to the drake and female Garganeys that were found at Summer Leys LNR on 20th. Still present at the week’s end, they are squeaky clean …

Once again, the period proved good for Black-necked Grebes, with last week’s adult remaining at Stanford until 18th and two (more?) adults appearing at Daventry CP on 21st after the last sighting of one there on 17th. Both were still present until 22nd, after which one stayed on until the week’s end. Meanwhile, the Nene Valley delivered two juveniles, with one at Clifford Hill GP on 21st being joined there by another on 24th.

Black-necked Grebe, Stanford Res, 18th July 2026 (Barry Silverman)

So, from Black-necked Grebes to Black-tailed Godwits, small numbers of which saw last week’s Titchmarsh NR individual remaining until 20th, single birds at Clifford Hill on 18th, Pitsford Res on 21st and Summer Leys on 24th and three at Daventry CP on 21st.

Black-tailed Godwits, Daventry CP, 21st July 2026 (Gary Pullan)
Black-tailed Godwit, Daventry CP, 21st July 2026 (Gary Pullan)

And, after being treated to an impressive spring passage of Wood Sandpipers, the first of the autumn dropped into Hollowell Res on 22nd, still to be found there at the week’s end, while another also appeared at Daventry on the last day of the period.

Wood Sandpiper, Hollowell Res, 22nd July 2026 (Jon Cook)
Wood Sandpiper, Daventry CP, 24th July 2026 (Gary Pullan)

Daventry also produced the week’s only Greenshank, on 22nd, the muddy margins there also giving rise to a juvenile Mediterranean Gull on 21st.

Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Daventry CP, 21st July 2026 (Gary Pullan)

The week’s Yellow-legged Gulls were to be found at four localities, with Pitsford holding up to three throughout, while singles were at Thrapston GP on 18th, 20th and 22nd, Clifford Hill on 20th and 22nd and Sywell CP on 24th.

Back at Daventry, a first-summer Arctic Tern dropped in, briefly, on 24th.

Just the one Bittern showed this week – where else but at Summer Leys.

Ospreys showed up at four localities and included twos at Pitsford on 18th and Cransley Res the following day, while Thrapston GP’s Elinor Trout Lake produced singles on 18th, 20th, 22nd and 24th. Single birds also visited Pitsford on 19th, 20th and 23rd and one was seen over Ravensthorpe Res on the latter date. The number of Marsh Harriers increased on the previous week’s with single birds at Summer Leys on 18th, in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke, Hanging Houghton and Blueberry Farm on 18th, 19th, 20th, 23rd and 24th, Pitsford on 19th and 21st and over Byfield on 23rd.

Borough Hill produced a one-day wonder in the shape of a Pied Flycatcher on 23rd which is, so far, the sole representative of its kind in the county this year.

And the run of Common Redstarts rumbled on, with the number of recorded localities matching last week’s eleven. These comprised two in the Brampton Valley, Blueberry Farm (Maidwell), Borough Hill, Clifford Hill, Harrington, Honey Hill, Lilbourne Meadows NR, Pitsford, Ravensthorpe and Walgrave, seven of these sites producing multiples.

Common Redstart, Brampton Valley, 22nd July 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)
Common Redstart, Brampton Valley, 22nd July 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)

The autumn’s first Whinchats appeared this week when a juvenile was found at Harrington on 23rd, quickly followed by two in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton the next day.

Northern Wheatears maintained a low profile with just the one at Harrington on 23rd. More to come, no doubt …

Newsround 11th to 17th July 2026

Posted on by Mike Alibone

The seemingly relentless summer heat wavered somewhat this week as the winds turned north-easterly toward the end of the period and the arrival of a fresh quota of migrants, large and small, hinted at autumn …

Now on tour, last week’s female Ruddy Shelduck vacated Winwick Pools and it was the turn of Stanford Res to play host throughout the period.

Ruddy Shelduck, Stanford Res, 12th July 2026 (Barry Silverman)

And a moult migration stopover was made by two Common Scoters at Clifford Hill GP on 12th.

On dry land, things went all quiet on the Quail front, the male near Blueberry Farm, Maidwell heard only on day one, after which … silence.

New in this week were four Black-necked Grebes – three adults together at Daventry CP on 14th, remaining there until 16th, after which one stayed on until 17th. Meanwhile, another adult arrived at Stanford on 15th, where it was still present at the week’s end. These represent only the fifth and sixth records for the year, so far.

Black-necked Grebes, Daventry CP, 14th July 2026 (Gary Pullan)
Black-necked Grebe, Daventry CP, 14th July 2026 (Gary Pullan)
Black-necked Grebe, Stanford Res, 15th July 2026 (Chris Hubbard)

Four sites produced Black-tailed Godwits, commencing with a flock of thirteen adults, unlucky on the overgrown Scrape at Summer Leys LNR, early doors on 12th. These were followed by single birds at Clifford Hill on 13th, Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR on 16th-17th and Daventry CP on 17th.

Black-tailed Godwits, Summer Leys LNR, 12th July 2026 (Ricky Sinfield)

The only other wader deserving a mention was a Greenshank at a water-depleted Sywell CP on the last day of the period.

With regard to gulls, things perked up a bit this week with the arrival of the ‘autumn’s’ first Mediterranean Gulls, commencing with a second-summer at Daventry on 14th, quickly followed by a juvenile on 16th and an adult there the next day. A juvenile paid a brief visit to Summer Leys on 16th.

Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Daventry CP, 16th July 2026 (Gary Pullan)
Adult Mediterranean Gull, Daventry CP, 17th July 2026 (Gary Pullan)

Daventry also produced an adult (or fourth-summer) Caspian Gull on 14th, while an adult was present at Clifford Hill, two days later, on 16th. Pitsford Res held up to three Yellow-legged Gulls between 13th and 17th and, elsewhere, single birds were to be found at Thrapston on 13th and at Clifford Hill the following day.

A report of two adult Arctic Terns at Daventry CP on 15th was unseasonal, to say the least.

Potentially dicing with death, a Bittern was videoed walking along Hardwater Road near Summer Leys on 14th, while the week’s only Cattle Egret was found at Titchmarsh NR before moving to Thrapston GP’s Town Lake.

Ever popular with Ospreys, the latter site’s Elinor Trout Lake produced one on 11th and 17th, and further reports involved two flying north-east over Stanford on 12th, one at Pitsford on 16th and one over Islip the following day. Meanwhile, Marsh Harrier sightings were ticking over with single birds at Harrington AF on 13th, Pitsford on 15th and Summer Leys on 16th-17th.

Having gained considerable momentum over the week, the early autumn Common Redstart rush delivered birds to eleven localities: two in the Brampton Valley, Blueberry Farm (Maidwell), Clifford Hill, Cold Ashby, Gretton, Harrington, Honey Hill, Lilbourne Meadows NR, Old and Summer Leys. Five of these sites produced at least two birds.

Male Common Redstart, Lilbourne Meadows NR, 14th July 2026 (Mike Alibone)
Male Common Redstart, Lilbourne Meadows NR, 14th July 2026 (Mike Alibone)
Male Common Redstart, Honey Hill, 16th July 2026 (Jon Cook)

In much shorter supply, however, was Northern Wheatear with just the one at Harrington on 11th, while the first of the season’s Stonechats appeared in the Brampton Valley, between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton, on 13th.

Newsround 4th to 10th July 2026

Posted on by Mike Alibone

An Azores high pressure system ushered in a south-westerly airstream, sealing an extension to the ongoing heatwave and, for many attending Global Birdfair at the week’s end, making for a decidedly uncomfortable experience. Roasting aside, there were still birds to be found, with peak activity in the early mornings before temperatures climbed and many passerines sought cover …

A slightly better week for ducks saw the reappearance of an old faithful at Winwick Pools on 5th with the returning female Ruddy Shelduck back for her eleventh consecutive year. A contentious individual with opinions divided on whether it is of captive origin or whether it originates from the ever-growing feral European population, the majority of which moves north to The Netherlands to moult in early summer, with some overshooting to the UK. As a species its status has been under review by the British Ornithologists Union Records Committee since 2021 with a view to making a decision on whether it should be admitted to the British List under Category C5 (a vagrant naturalised species from outside Britain) in addition to its existing status in Categories B, D, and E. The wait for a decision goes on …

Female Ruddy Shelduck, Winwick Pools, 5th July 2026 (James Urwin)
Female Ruddy Shelduck, Winwick Pools, 5th July 2026 (James Urwin)

There were no raised eyebrows or any such analysis required, of course, for Red-crested Pochard, five drakes of which were found at Ravensthorpe Res, also on 5th, when the long-staying drake was also present at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South).

Just the one Quail remained in the Brampton Valley – the daily male near Blueberry Farm still in song at the week’s end.

And waders were represented by a trickle of Black-tailed Godwits, with Pitsford Res producing one on 4th, four on 6th and seven on 9th, while one paid a visit to Clifford Hill GP on 8th, and a Greenshank was present at Stanwick GP on 4th.

The majority of the week’s quota of Yellow-legged Gulls were at Pitsford, where there was one on 5th, three on 7th and five on 8th, while one was found at Thrapston GP on 6th.

A Cattle Egret was an unusual site record for Stanford Res on 4th.

Cattle Egret, Stanford Res, 4th July 2026 (Chris Hubbard)

Pitsford played host to single Ospreys on 5th and 9th, while one flew over Hollowell village on the latter date. Other raptors included a lingering juvenile Marsh Harrier at Stanford on 9th-10th and another at Harrington AF on 10th.

Juvenile Marsh Harrier, Stanford Res, 9th July 2026 (Chris Hubbard)

And representing returning passerines, a run of Common Redstarts consisted of an adult male at Lilbourne Meadows NR between 7th and 9th, two juveniles at Clifford Hill GP also from 7th to 9th, three at Harrington on 9th with at least two still the following day and singles at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 9th.

Juvenile Common Redstart, Clifford Hill GP, 5th July 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)
Juvenile Common Redstart, Clifford Hill GP, 6th July 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)
Juvenile Common Redstart, Clifford Hill GP, 9th July 2026 (Tony Stanford)

Moving south, the first Northern Wheatear of the autumn – a juvenile – appeared at Clifford Hill on 5th and, up in the north-easterly reaches of the county, a Hawfinch was reported at Fermyn Woods CP on 8th and at least two Crossbills were at Wakerley Great Wood on 7th.

Newsround 27th June to 3rd July 2026

Posted on by Mike Alibone

In a cooler week with a predominantly westerly airstream the transition from June to July wasn’t half bad, delivering more than expected for the time of year. Still, we’re now into July and migration is on the up, previous years having produced some class birds before the month is out.

But it wasn’t – and probably never will be – the best week for ducks, the last day of the period seeing a female Red-crested Pochard associating with a ‘female-type’ Mallard x Red-crested Pochard hybrid at Ravensthorpe Res on 3rd. Oh dear …

And the impressive Quail year steams on, the Brampton Valley holding at least two singing males during the week, while others were also heard near Weston on 27th and at Stanwick GP on 1st.

Amongst other things, Clifford Hill GP produced the best waders of the week with four Black-tailed Godwits on 29th, followed by five there on 1st.

Black-tailed Godwits, Clifford Hill GP, 29th June 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)

While the 29th and 3rd saw single Yellow-legged Gulls at Pitsford Res, Clifford Hill delivered a first for the year in the shape of two Little Terns, early in the morning on 27th. Sadly, the brief viewing window was limited to the finder and they moved on pretty sharpish …  

Little Tern, Clifford Hill GP, 27th June 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)

After flyovers at Thrapston GP/Titchmarsh NR on 4th and 30th May, a White Stork flying south-east between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton was the third for the year. The wait goes on for one on the ground.

The week’s only Bittern was at Summer Leys LNR on 3rd and further dispersal of juvenile Cattle Egrets gave rise to four at Ringstead GP on 28th, two there on 3rd and three at Stanwick on 2nd.

Single Ospreys flew east over Brixworth on 29th and over Thrapston on 1st.

A Golden Oriole heard at Bucknell Wood on 27th remained in the shadows, subsequent to a rumoured, unconfirmed presence at the site since mid-May.

Somewhat more tangible, though, was a juvenile Common Redstart – the first of the ‘autumn’ – at Clifford Hill on 29th, followed by another at Borough Hill on 3rd.

Juvenile Common Redstart, Clifford Hill GP, 29th June 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)

And, most unusual for the time of year, was a male Channel Wagtail, also at Clifford Hill, on 3rd.

Male Channel Wagtail, Clifford Hill GP, 3rd July 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)

Newsround 20th to 26th June 2026

Posted on by Mike Alibone

The last full week of June saw a developing weather pattern known as an “omega block”, locking in a mammoth Heat Dome and developing an excessive heat wave directly over the continent and, ultimately, the UK. Northamptonshire endured consistently high temperatures, peaking at 36°C at the period’s end.

While there was no ducking out from the heat this week, the 22nd saw the arrival of two Garganeys at Summer Leys LNR, where they remained until the end of the period.

Eclipse drake Garganey, Summer Leys LNR, 22nd June 2026 (Mark Piercey)
Eclipse drake and female Garganey, Summer Leys LNR, 22nd June 2026 (Mark Piercey)

The last day of the week also produced a drake Common Scoter at Daventry CP.

Drake Common Scoter, Daventry CP, 26th June 2026 (Gary Pullan)

And continuing the run of Quail records this year, numbers built further when one was recorded on nocturnal migration over Kettering on 20th and singing males were heard near Little Houghton on the latter date, at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 22nd and 25th, between Pitsford Res and Scaldwell on 24th and in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 25th.

A Whimbrel in flight over Stanford Res on 22nd was the sole representative of its clan this week.

Gulls where better represented, though, with Summer Leys delivering a first-summer Little Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull, both of them on 20th.

The only Bittern of the week was at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR, while there was a climbdown in Cattle Egret numbers at the point in time that their breeding site was checked – just one adult and six juveniles on 21st.  

Newsround 6th to 19th June 2026

Posted on by Mike Alibone

It’s June and, while the quest for the best continued, with migration in meltdown, sightings of rare and scarce birds were sparse, to say the least …

A drake Red-crested Pochard at Ecton SF on 17th is undoubtedly the seemingly resident bird that has developed a liking for the River Nene between there and Earls Barton GP over the past year or so.

After some concern expressed a couple of weeks ago about the decline in occurrences of Quail in the county, two more were located during the period – single singing males in fields south of Clifford Hill GP on 6th and north-west of Aldwincle on 13th. May records across the UK are said to be significantly higher than average this year.

Waders were not entirely absent either, with two Avocets present at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR on 6th and two at Earls Barton GP on 8th. Nine Whimbrels flying south over Daventry CP on 17th and a Greenshank at Titchmarsh NR on 15th begs the question: is autumn migration now underway?

And an adult Yellow-legged Gull at Summer Leys LNR on 8th-10th was somewhat unusual for the locality and time of year.

A Black Tern dropped in at Stanford Res on 14th.

Black Tern, Stanford Res, 14th June 2026 (Chris Hubbard)

Bitterns were logged at Titchmarsh NR on 6th and daily from 12th to 17th, with two there on 15th, while singles were seen at Summer Leys on 8th, 10th and 16th. And aside from one again at Clifford Hill GP on 6th, the number of Cattle Egrets rose to twenty at their Nene Valley breeding site, where nine adults and three broods totalling eleven unfledged young were counted on 12th.

After a week with no reports, the period’s Ospreys were on the up with birds found at four localities. Apart from two at Pitsford Res on 13th, singles were seen there on 8th, 12th and 17th, at Titchmarsh NR on 6th-7th, at Stanford on 15th and at Hollowell Res on 19th.

Osprey, Stanford Res, 15th June (Barry Silverman)

The only other raptor of note was a male Marsh Harrier in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 7th.

An unconfirmed report of a Bee-eater over Everdon Stubbs on 18th remains exactly that …

Newsround 30th May to 6th June 2026

Posted on by Mike Alibone

In stark contrast to last week, a run of low pressure systems to the north of the UK drew westerly winds in off the Atlantic, laden with rain and introducing below average temperatures. While the birding scene quietened down considerably, there was a welcome return – albeit fleetingly – of a once common species that has not been seen in the county for three years.

We’re talking, of course, about Turtle Dove – a long-lost, breeding summer visitor, whose UK population has declined by 98% since 1994 and one of which was seen briefly in Cogenhoe on 2nd. This dramatic drop is the largest UK decline of any of the 119 species tracked by the RSPB Breeding Birds Survey over the period of monitoring. In line with this, the number of localities where Turtle Doves were recorded in Northamptonshire during the first quarter of this century has fallen drastically from 36 in 2001 to zero in 2024-25.

Evidence suggests one reason for the overall decline is a shortened breeding period, which has reduced the number of nesting attempts, thought to be driven by reduced food availability as a result of increased herbicide use. Mortality both on the wintering grounds from habitat deterioration and on migration through hunting, are also potential drivers (BTO). A moratorium on hunting along the ‘Western European Flyway’ (France, Portugal, Spain) came into force in 2021 and has had a positive effect with the number of breeding pairs of Turtle Dove subsequently increasing along it by an estimated 40.5%. However, abundance along the Central European Flyway, where no restrictions are in place, continues to decline and the moratorium on the western flyway was lifted in 2025, although a limited quota is now in force (Joint Nature Conservation Committee, 2025). What impact this will have on our own Turtle Dove population remains to be seen.

In other news, two Avocets were at Summer Leys LNR on 31st, two flew east at Clifford Hill GP on 3rd and a Whimbrel also visited the latter site on 2nd.

Following one over Thrapston GP on 4th May, another – or the same – White Stork flew high over the A605 there on 30th and was identified as one from the Knepp reintroduction project, some of which are satellite-tagged.

White Stork, Thrapston, 30th May 2026 (Lucy Milner)

Back at Clifford Hill, a Cattle Egret was present on 1st-2nd.

Newsround 23rd to 29th May 2026

Posted on by Mike Alibone

It is, of course, late May – historically the peak time for the cream of the spring crop to be produced and, with UK temperatures reaching a record-breaking 35.1°C for May, the heat was on, the week delivering big time with a bird not seen in Northamptonshire for thirty-four years …                   

But before all that, there is more standard fare – including a fine calibre rare – to go through. More Garganeys came our way, with a drake again at Stanford Res on 24th being quickly followed by a pair at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) the next day, the latter site producing three Red-crested Pochards on 29th.

And following the first of the year last week, another Quail broke silence – this time in the Brampton Valley near Blueberry Farm on 23rd, with likely the same bird again between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 29th.

After three records already this year, the fourth was to be added this week when two Common Cranes flew east from fields near Holcot on 25th. One on the ground would no doubt be much appreciated.

Unsurprisingly, given where we are on the calendar, the week’s waders were much reduced in numbers compared to those of previous weeks. Avocets were seen daily at Summer Leys LNR, peaking at four there on 28th, while one that turned up at Stanford Res on 26th was the first to be seen there since 2017.

Avocet, Stanford Res, 26th May 2026 (Chris Hubbard)

The only other noteworthy wader was a Sanderling at the now rapidly drying out Winter Flood Pools at Lilbourne Meadows NR on 25th.

Sanderling, Lilbourne Meadows NR, 25th May 2026 (Mike Alibone)

A first-summer Little Gull arrived at Summer Leys on 28th, being joined there by another on the following day.

The latter locality also produced a batch of Bittern sightings with singles on 23rd, 25th and 29th, while one was also seen at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR on 23rd and 27th. Cattle Egrets were also in evidence with one in flight over the River Nene at Denford on 23rd, three in fields between Aynho and Clifton on 24th, and one at Clifford Hill GP on 29th.

Fishing or on the fly, the week’s Ospreys were to be seen at Thrapston GP’s Elinor Trout Lake on 23rd and 27th, at Pitsford Res on 24th-25th and at Hollowell Res on 29th and, once again, Marsh Harriers were restricted to a lone male over Stortons GP on 26th-27th.

It’s not often that the period’s passerines knock everything else into a cocked hat but that was clearly the case this week … but it wasn’t all plain sailing from an observer’s point of view. Early morning on 29th gave rise to the discovery of a female Red-backed Shrike at Summer Leys. Seen only briefly, it did not linger, much to the disappointment of the many ready to scramble if the news came through that it was still present. There have been only seven previous county records so far this century, the most recent of which were in 2022 and 2024 and, prior to that, in 2015.

As nice as it might have been, its rarity was totally eclipsed by an entirely different animal altogether. Another early morning discovery in the shape of a singing male Savi’s Warbler was made at Stortons GP on 26th. Initially heard reeling in the reedbed, brown and dandy it made its way close to the top of the reeds on a number of occasions, much to the delight of an appreciative gathering of those who were on site in time to see it before it decided to lay low after mid to late morning. There was a repeat performance the following day but it failed to show to anything like the same extent. And after that? Gone.

Male Savi’s Warbler, Stortons GP, 26th May 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)

With only three previous records – including one present at two localities within the same area of the Nene Valley – this is only the fourth for Northamptonshire and the first for thirty-four years …

Numbers of breeding pairs of Savi’s Warblers in the UK hit thirty in the late 1970s but were running at possibly eight pairs in 2023 (British Birds Rare Breeding Birds Panel, 2024), while Keller et al (2020) showed how the range of Savi’s Warbler has shifted north and east in Europe since the 1980s, with considerable loss of range in western Europe, such as in France. What impact this will have for future records in Northamptonshire and the wider UK remains to be seen.

Newsround 16th-22nd May 2026

Posted on by Mike Alibone

The week just gone saw a last-minute rise from below- to above-average temperatures as the wind direction swung from north-east to south-west at the end of the period. Spring migrants continued to move through, amongst which was another first for the year …

Not a record-breaker in terms of arrival date but with only three records in 2025, Quail has become somewhat scarce in the county in recent years.

With just three Garganeys to date in 2026, two more made a one-day stopover at Stanford Res on the first day of the week.

Drake Garganey, Stanford Res, 16th May 2026 (Phil West)

And a sprinkling of ‘noc mig’ went into the mix this week when two small groups of Common Scoters were heard in flight, after dark, over Kettering on 18th and at least two were heard over the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton, late on 22nd.

Avocets continued to be seen at Summer Leys, where up to four were present, and in the wider reaches of Earls Barton GP, where up to three were seen on the last day of the period. Passage waders included single Whimbrels at Summer Leys from 16th to 21st and at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (North) on 17th, a Ruff at Summer Leys on16th, five Sanderlings at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on 18th, followed on 20th by one at Clifford Hill GP, where two Wood Sandpipers flew east on 22nd. A Greenshank also visited Summer Leys on 19th.

Whimbrel, Earls Barton GP, 17th May 2026 (Leslie Fox)

The week’s gulls were restricted to a Mediterranean Gull at Summer Leys on 22nd and the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull at Pitsford Res on 16th.

A Glossy Ibis at Stanwick GP’s Main Lake on 16th flew off north-east and the long-stayer at Summer Leys was reported only on 19th, begging the question of both sightings relating to the same individual …

At least one Bittern was present throughout the period at Summer Leys, while one was seen in flight over Barnes Meadow Roundabout, Northampton on 19th. Up to two Cattle Egrets remained at Stanwick until at least 20th.

Fishing or on the fly, Ospreys were viewed over Earls Barton GP on 16th, near Naseby Res on 17th, Hollowell Res on 18th and at Summer Leys on 19th and 22nd while, keeping up weekly appearances, Marsh Harriers were restricted to a male over Stortons GP on 20th.

A Crossbill was at Gamboro Plantation, east of Cottesbrooke on 20th.

And belated news emerged this week of a Hoopoe photographed in a Woodford Halse Garden on 19th April. All three of last year’s records were in April but that’s not to say there won’t be another one before the year’s out …

Newsround 9th to 15th May 2026

Posted on by Mike Alibone

In a week ending with cold northerlies and below average temperatures, migration took a further tumble and high expectations for a mid-May crowd-puller remained to be met. But there’s still plenty of time and who knows what lies ahead …

Catching up with a Garganey has, so far this spring, been problematic in the light of their scarcity and brevity of stay but Stanwick was again instrumental in delivering another drake on 10th, staying a full three days until 12th and likely accounting for the one seen fleetingly at adjacent Ditchford GP on 11th.

And following a long-stayer at Pitsford Res in the early weeks of the year, plus two together at Daventry CP for one day only, on 25th February, arriving on cue for late spring passage were two pairs of Black-necked Grebes – the first of these at Stanford Res on 8th and the second at Summer Leys LNR on 13th. Neither pair stayed beyond the day on which they were discovered.

Black-necked Grebes, Summer Leys LNR, 13th May 2026 (Alan Coles)

Summer Leys also continued to retain to its varying number of Avocets this week, with three from 9th to 11th, one on 13th, two on 14th and one again on 15th, the same site also producing a Ringed Plover showing characteristics of the race tundrae, colloquially known as Tundra Ringed Plover, on 10th-11th. And apart from one at Braunston’s canalside flood pool on 9th, the week’s only other Whimbrel was also at Summer Leys, from 9th until at least 13th. Other than that, two Turnstones paying a short visit to Clifford Hill GP on 10th were the best of the week’s waders and constituted only the second record for the year so far.

A single Yellow-legged Gull at Pitsford seen on 9th and 13th is all that was mustered on the larid front this week.

The county’s long-staying Glossy Ibis was still sitting pretty at Summer Leys throughout the period.

Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 15th May 2026 (Alan Coles)

And there’s no getting away from the fact that Bitterns have risen to prominence this year, being present at a minimum of six localities during spring, so far. Singles were seen at Summer Leys almost daily, at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR on 10th and 14th and in flight along the Nene Valley at Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes & Meadows NR on 15th. All set for residency and confirmation of breeding is now surely just around the corner.

Bittern, Summer Leys LNR, 9th May 2026 (Clive Bowley)

Cattle Egrets come and go. This week’s consisted of up to three daily at Stanwick GP and three between Aynho and Clifton on 15th.

Raptors were limited to single Ospreys over both Pitsford and Earls Barton GP on 10th and at Stanford on 11th, plus a Marsh Harrier at Summer Leys on the latter date.