Newsround – 3rd to 9th February 2024

In contrast to the previous week, this week endured considerable precipitation over an already waterlogged landscape, resulting in rapidly developing floodwater – particularly in the Nene Valley – by the week’s end. The early part of the week, however, saw the arrival of another North American duck …

Yes, looking beyond the Pink-footed Goose that was still at Stanford Res as the week came to a close, Northamptonshire’s sixteenth Green-winged Teal was found at Stanwick GP on 6th by veteran Stanwickeer, Steve Fisher, during an early morning sortie around the site.

Stanwick (and Steve) has a track record for producing this species which, since the first county record at nearby Ditchford GP in 1980, has previously occurred there in five different years. In fact, early spring during the three consecutive years, 2007-2009, produced one that was considered to be the same returning individual and was therefore classed as only one record. It’s been an eight-year wait since the last, which was at Daventry CP in  2016 (details here and here).

Green-winged Teal was dropped from the BBRC list of species requiring submission from 1991 and it was considered a sub-species of ‘Eurasian’ Teal until 2001, when the BOU awarded it full species status.

Aside from the above, both first-winter Greater Scaups remained in place at Hollowell Res and Grendon Lakes (Earls Barton GP) on 4th and 5th, respectively.

The week’s waders were limited to a Ruff at Stanwick on 7th and seven Jack Snipes at Daventry CP on 5th.

Gull numbers were down over the period with a Caspian Gull (unaged) reported from Summer Leys LNR on 3rd, three (an adult and two first-winters) at Daventry CP on 5th and just a first-winter at the latter site on 9th. Two Yellow-legged Gulls (unaged) were reported from Summer Leys on 3rd and a first-winter was at Daventry CP on 5th.

Cattle Egrets were seen on single dates only at Ditchford GP on 4th, Wicksteed Water Meadows NR on 7th and Summer Leys on 9th, nor were there any subsequent reports of a Glossy Ibis seen in flight at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh LNR in the fading light of 3rd.

After one there last week, Stanford produced the period’s only Marsh Harrier when one flew east on 7th.

Short-eared Owls were again in evidence with one at Harrington AF on 4th, up to three at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell between 5th and 7th and, on the latter date, three at Neville’s Lodge, Finedon and one in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton.

In line with last week, Blueberry Farm delivered a Merlin – this time a female – on 7th and a female/immature was also seen at Harrington AF on 4th.

After 5th, it was all quiet on the Waxwing front, this being the last date on which the Corby seven were seen. Still, we can’t complain after their having enjoyed a good innings, being virtually nailed down at this site for more than five weeks.

Stonechats were again found at five localities, the highest single site count being six at Earls Barton GP on 4th, while Crossbills crept back into double figures with up to twelve being seen at the ever-reliable Fineshade Wood until at least 7th.