It was just before two o’clock this afternoon when Matt Hazleton picked up a Spoonbill flying in from the north-east before arriving on the main lake at Summer Leys. It landed in the Brayshaw’s Bund/Wader Bay area and seemed settled, giving Matt the opportunity for a few photos before he emailed me to let me know.
After putting the news out, I made my way to Summer Leys only to discover upon arrival that it had flown off up the Nene Valley. Time was limited so I decided to head back home, calling in at Clifford Hill GP, just in case …
At 15.10, I arrived at the western end of the main barrage lake and quickly scanned the ‘new’ peninsular … and there it was! More news alerts then a bit of video before I had to leave at 15.40, leaving John Moon, Martin and Andrew Dove there to watch it.
- Spoonbill, Clifford Hill GP, 27th April 2014 (Mike Alibone). Black primary tips just visible, pale bill tip, no breast band and shortish crest make this a first- or second-summer bird.
It remained there for the next two hours, after which I heard it had been flushed by fishermen driving out on to the peninsular. So much for this being an SSSI …
Many thanks to Matt and to Simon Hales for the use of their images.
Northants birds 
I believe this is the second record for CHGP (Northampton Wetlands), I recall Mark Williams had one there some years back.