A short wet start preceded another ‘mini heatwave’ at the week’s end, during which the local temperature hit 31°C. Save the return of the female Ruddy Shelduck for its eleventh year, the ongoing wader passage and the continuing movement of Crossbills, there was little to tickle the taste buds during the period.
Back again, then, to enjoy another stayover in Northants, was the returning female Ruddy Shelduck at Stanford Res on 6th before moving on to its most favoured locality of Winwick Pools by 11th. In some people’s view, the less said the better …
More typically in line with – and again dominating – July’s wader movements, were Black-tailed Godwits, Pitsford Res again seeing the greatest numbers with seventeen there on 6th. Next up was Summer Leys LNR, where there were four on 7th and one on 10th, followed by single birds at Daventry CP on 7th and 8th and Hollowell Res on the last of these dates. A Ruff at Boddington Res on 11th was the only one of its kind this week, while Greenshanks appeared at three sites with one at Pitsford on 8th followed by two there on 10th, plus singles at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR on 8th-9th and Summer Leys on 11th.
As for larids, single Yellow-legged Gulls at Pitsford on 7th and 8th filled the slot.
A Bittern again showed at Titchmarsh on 7th while, further up the Nene Valley, four Cattle Egrets visited Stanwick GP on 5th.
Raptors fared a tad better than last week, the period’s Ospreys consisting of two at Pitsford on 5th and singles on 6th and 10th, while one flew west over Preston Capes on 7th and Stanford produced sightings on 7th and 10th. A Marsh Harrier paid a brief visit to Titchmarsh on 10th.
And passerines? The week saw the discovery of the autumn’s first Whinchat with one at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 8th, following a meagre five records in the county during the spring. More Common Redstarts were also found, comprising singles at Pitsford on 6th, Harrington AF on 7th and Blueberry Farm on 8th.
As the influx continued, very much on the up this week were Crossbills, which were seen at six localities. It was only a matter of time before the car park at Wakerley Great Wood – a much favoured location – delivered, holding at least fifteen on 9th. Ten in flight over Northampton’s Abington Park on 10th was a nifty suburban record ahead of two more over the same site the following day. Seven flew west over Pitsford on 7th, followed by two – possibly three – more there on the same day, at least two on 8th and one on 9th. Four flew over Yardley Chase’s Denton Wood on 9th, one or two flew east over Brackley on 7th and one flew over New Covert, Kelmarsh on 5th.
Discover more from Northants birds
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Northants birds 