September 2025 – Northants birds

Newsround 20th to 26th September 2025

Posted on September 27, 2025September 27, 2025 by Mike Alibone

The week’s weather was dominated by a high pressure system drifting slowly east, keeping Atlantic weather fronts at bay and delivering an easterly airstream out of Eastern Europe and beyond. What impact this may ultimately have remains to be seen, but, clearly unrelated to this came a bolt from the blue in the shape of a long-awaited first for Northamptonshire …

While multiples have occurred in all of our surrounding counties, one species has been the bane of frustration for many a local birder, having managed to evade us for many years. Until now, that is. This week, finally, the sun shone on our own fair county, the clouds parted and there it was … Northamptonshire’s first Lesser Scaup – a fine adult drake coming out of eclipse, found on the morning of 23rd at a location that has already offered up another county first this autumn. Yes, Stanford Res has done it again but, thankfully, it was not the product of a mist-net which vanished into the ether. No, this bird was, of course, out on the water, found by Chris Hubbard as a just reward for his high level of commitment and dedication to his personal stomping ground. While showing throughout the afternoon, this bird remained into only the early morning of the following day before deciding to up sticks and move on, much to the annoyance of those who made the journey to see it and were left looking at a drake Pochard x Tufted Duck hybrid which had been present there for several days.

Drake Lesser Scaup, Stanford Res, 23rd September 2025 (Mike Alibone)

Drake Lesser Scaup, Stanford Res, 23rd September 2025 (Bob Bullock)

While other wildfowl were left in the shade, Stanford also dished up the next best duck of the week – certainly in the context of this year’s abnormally low numbers – a Garganey on 25th.

Garganey, Stanford Res, 25th September 2025 (Chris Hubbard)

Vying for recognition, though, came Hollowell Res, where a female or immature Common Scoter was found on the same date as the aforementioned Garganey.

Common Scoter, Hollowell Res, 25th September 2025 (Jon Cook)

Which leaves us with two drake Red-crested Pochards at Daventry CP from 22nd until 26th and a solitary drake at Pitsford on the last day of the period.

And when it came to rare grebes, Daventry, Hollowell and Stanford were up there again when each produced its own Slavonian Grebe – the first ones for 2025. All proved to be one-day stayers, at Daventry and Hollowell on 24th and Stanford on 26th.

Slavonian Grebe, Daventry CP, 24th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)

Slavonian Grebe, Daventry CP, 24th September 2025 (Bob Bullock)

Slavonian Grebe, Hollowell Res, 24th September 2025 (Jon Cook)

Slavonian Grebe, Stanford Res, 26th September 2025 (Barry Silverman)

Slavonian Grebe, Stanford Res, 26th September 2025 (Chris Hubbard)

But it wasn’t over just yet for Stanford, which also added a Black-necked Grebe to its tally on 20th.

Black-necked Grebe, Stanford Res, 20th September 2025 (Chris Hubbard)

Moving into late September traditionally marks the period for declining numbers of passage waders, which is what we saw this week. At Boddington Res, a Curlew flew over on 20th, while three Ruffs were present there on 20th-21st, followed by one from 22nd to 23rd and two on 24th. The only other site to host this species was Pitsford Res, where up to three were to be found throughout the period.

Juvenile Ruff, Boddington Res, 24th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)

Pitsford also produced the county’s fifth Little Stint of the year, from 22nd until the week’s end. Greenshank numbers took a further tumble, with two at Earls Barton GP on 20th, dropping to one there from 23rd until 26th. Two were found at Clifford Hill GP on 23rd, followed by one on 24th, when one was also at Pitsford.

Greenshank, Earls Barton GP, 23rd September 2025 (Leslie Fox)

Last week’s first-winter Mediterranean Gull at Boddington was again to be found there on 20th, while Caspian Gulls were the preserve of Hollowell and Naseby Reservoirs, the latter site holding on to its regular German-ringed adult male all week and Hollowell producing a first-winter on 22nd and an adult on 26th.

German-ringed adult male Caspian Gull, Naseby Res, 21st September 2025 (Mike Alibone)

Three reservoirs also delivered the week’s quota of Yellow-legged Gulls, with an adult at Naseby on 21st, one at Pitsford on 21st and 24th-25th and one at Ravensthorpe Res on 26th.

Adult Yellow-legged Gull, Naseby Res, 21st September 2025 (Mike Alibone)

A Sandwich Tern was seen in flight over Stanwick GP on 20th.

Following a south-westerly blow during the preceding week, significant numbers of Manx Shearwaters were driven inland with many apparently being taken into care. Northants was not to be left out of the proceedings and two – the first in the county since 2017 – duly appeared. The first was found exhausted at Blisworth on 22nd and was taken into care by Animals In Need, Little Irchester and, with no apparent injuries, was still in good health at the period’s end prior to its intended release at a coastal location next week. Sadly, the same could not be said for the second one – a corpse picked up on the A428 near Long Buckby on 23rd.

Manx Shearwater, Long Buckby, 23rd September 2025 (John Seymour)

Manx Shearwater, Little Irchseter, 24th September 2025 (Animals In Need Northamptonshire)

There have been approximately 33 previous county records, the overwhelming majority of which have occurred in September.

And, not unexpectedly, Glossy Ibises were on the up. Present for a month now, the Summer Leys individual remained throughout the period, while the Pitsford bird chalked up its third week, staying loyal to the site at the week’s end. Stanford’s trio were there for early risers, appearing to roost in the vicinity and flying in for no more than half an hour to feed near the Settling Pond from around 06.45. Their number had dropped to two from 24th, one of the three having exhibited a damaged wing prior to this. Its fate is not currently known. Two were also present at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR from 24th until the week’s end.

Juvenile Glossy Ibis, Pitsford Res, 21st September 2025 (Bob Bullock)

Glossy Ibises, Stanford Res, 21st September 2025 (Chris Hubbard)

A Bittern was again at Stanford between 23rd and 26th and last week’s Cattle Egret was still to be found there on the first day of the period.

Bittern, Stanford Res, 25th September 2025 (Barry Silverman)

On the raptor front, Ospreys had all but faded away, with just one seen at Pitsford almost daily between 20th and 26th. Marsh Harriers were down, too, with singles at Summer Leys on 20th and 24th, Stanford on 22nd-23rd, Harrington on 24th and Pitsford on 25th. And the sky momentarily darkened over Byfield on 22nd as a White-tailed Eagle flew south during the afternoon. The Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation has confirmed that satellite tracking shows this was ‘G602’, a second-calendar year male released on the Isle of Wight last year, having summered on the North Yorks Moors and is now heading south.

On to passerines and a single Common Redstart at Clifford Hill GP on 20th was the only one of its kind this week, being outnumbered by Whinchats, with up to two at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell between 20th and 24th, one at Hollowell Res on 23rd and two in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton from 23rd until 25th.

Whinchat, Hollowell Res, 23rd September 2025 (Jon Cook)

This week saw a significant increase in Stonechat numbers, which reached double figures at Hollowell where there were at least ten on 25th. Elsewhere, up to five were present in the Brampton Valley, four at Pitsford and one at Clifford Hill GP. Single Northern Wheatears were found at Lilbourne Meadows NR on 21st, in the Brampton Valley on 23rd and 25th and at Blueberry Farm on 24th.

Pitsford saw two fly-over Crossbills on 22nd and one flew south over Naseby on 26th, while a Corn Bunting remained elusive in the Brampton Valley between 20th and 25th.

Newsround 13th to 19th September 2025

Posted on September 20, 2025 by Mike Alibone

Moving deeper into autumn saw temperatures take a tumble in the early part of the period, followed by a momentary reprieve on the last day as a south-westerly airstream up from the Azores warmed the cockles and put some extra gloss on the week.

Keeping their tribe afloat, two Red-crested Pochards at Pitsford Res on 16th were the only ducks of note over the last seven days.

Waders continued to be well represented, however, with Boddington Res producing the pick of the bunch, kicking off with a Tundra Ringed Plover on 14th. Much further north, a Whimbrel flew over Harrington AF on 14th and a Curlew was similarly picked up in flight over Stanford Res on 16th.

Black-tailed Godwits continued to feature throughout the week with the largest number comprising a flock of twelve flying south-west over Clifford Hill GP on 14th. Two other localities held on to some longer-stayers, with one at Naseby Res from 13th until 18th and two at Pitsford on 17th.

Black-tailed Godwit, Naseby Res, 14th September 2025 (Mike Alibone)

Maintaining their stand, Ruffs were to be found at five localities – Pitsford holding on to five throughout the period, while Boddington held two from the beginning of the week, increasing to three there on 18th. Elsewhere, two were present at Clifford Hill on 13th-14th with one remaining until 16th and singles were at Summer Leys LNR on 13th and at Naseby on 13th and 17th-18th.

Juvenile Ruffs, Boddington Res, 16th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)

Juvenile Ruff, Clifford Hill GP, 16th September 2025 (Mike Alibone)

Strong winds and heavy rain delivered Boddington’s best on 14th, when a Sanderling and the county’s fourth Little Stint of the year dropped in, the latter remaining until 16th, with the former also being reported again briefly on 15th.

Juvenile Little Stint, Boddington Res, 15th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)

Getting late now for Wood Sandpiper, last week’s individual remained at Naseby until 16th and another was reported at Cransley Res on the last day of the period.

Wood Sandpiper, Naseby Res, 14th September 2025 (Mike Alibone)

And after last week’s double-figure peak at Pitsford, Greenshanks were down to three there between 14th and 19th, while singles were at Clifford Hill and Summer Leys on 13th, Naseby on 15th and Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (North) on 19th.

On the larid front, the best of the bunch this week was a first-winter Mediterranean Gull at Daventry CP on the last day of the period.

First-winter Mediterranean Gull, Daventry CP, 19th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)

The same site also produced three different Caspian Gulls, with a first-winter on 16th, an adult on 17th and a third-winter on 18th, while Boddington delivered a first-winter on 14th and the regular German-ringed adult was present at Naseby all week, accompanied by a juvenile/first-winter on 15th and a second adult on 17th and again on 19th.

First-winter Caspian Gull, Daventry CP, 16th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)

Third-winter Caspian Gull, Daventry CP, 18th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)

Single Yellow-legged Gulls were at Daventry on 14th and Pitsford on 16th, the latter site holding four on 18th.

Yellow-legged Gull, Daventry CP, 14th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)

Daventry also hosted an adult Herring Gull x Lesser Black-backed Gull – resembling an Azores Gull, no less – on 18th.

Hybrid Herring Gull x Lesser Black-backed Gull, Daventry CP, 18th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)

Downsizing, three species of tern were reported during the period – a Sandwich Tern at Boddington on 15th and an Arctic Tern at Hollowell Res on the same date, while the continuing trickle of Black Terns saw last week’s individual lingering at Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows NR on 13th, the same date producing two at Ravensthorpe Res and two at Hollowell – perhaps last week’s four, divided. One, or another, was at the latter site on 15th.

Black Tern, Irthlingborough Lakes Meadows NR, 13th September 2025 (Tony Vials)

With UK numbers still well into the hundreds this week, more Glossy Ibises were again likely to be on the cards – or so one would think – and, yes, there were new arrivals. Both individuals from last week remained throughout at Pitsford and Summer Leys but, in addition to these, one flew west over Wollaston Motors Prep Centre car park and on over Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (North) on 17th, although there is a fair chance it may have been the Summer Leys individual. Undoubtedly new in, however, were three adjacent to Stanford’s Settling Pool, briefly, during the morning of 19th, before flying north-east. Another, or one of the above trio, was seen in flight going north over Stanford during the afternoon of the same date.

Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 14th September 2025 (Matt Cottrell)

Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 18th September 2025 (Matt Cottrell)

Glossy Ibis, Stanford Res, 19th September 2025 (Chris Hubbard)

One each of Bittern and Cattle Egret were again at Summer Leys on 13th and Stanford on 19th, respectively.

Raptors comprised the usual suspects of late, with daily sightings of Ospreys at Pitsford, including two on 16th, while singles flew south and west over Hollowell on 13th and 16th, respectively. Single Marsh Harriers were also on offer at Pitsford, where singles were present on 13th, 14th, 15th and 18th, with two there on 19th. Further singles graced Harrington AF on 14th, Summer Leys on 15th-16th and Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on 19th. Last week’s ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier made a return visit to Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 14th.

And, on the passerine front, Common Redstarts enjoyed a mini-resurgence with three at Borough Hill on 13th, 2 at Glassthorpe Hill, Harpole on 14th and singles at Pitsford on 13th, Blueberry Farm on 14th, Harrington on 14th and 17th and in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 16th.

Common Redstart, Harpole, 14th September 2025 (Jon Cook)

The same area of the Brampton Valley continued to produce Whinchats, with a maximum of six there on 16th, 2 on 14th and one on 17th, two were at Harrington on 14th and one was again at Thrapston GP’s Elinor Trout Lake on 17th. And while Whinchats may be on the wane, numbers of Stonechats were on the up – this week seeing a maximum of four at Hollowell on 19th, while ones and twos were found in the Brampton Valley, at Harrington, Pitsford and Yardley Chase.

Northern Wheatears continued to trickle through, with singles at Harrington on 14th and in the Brampton Valley between 14th and 16th, while two were found at Clifford Hill GP on 17th with one remaining the following day.

Newsround 6th to 12th September 2025

Posted on September 13, 2025September 13, 2025 by Mike Alibone

A low pressure system centred to the north of the UK was the driving force for much of the week’s weather, initially delivering a short spell of south-easterlies, during which another first for the year made landfall in the west of the county.

Continuing to do the rounds, though, the female Ruddy Shelduck, was still to be found at Stanford Res on 6th-7th, aside from which a mini-arrival of Red-crested Pochards saw two eclipse drakes at Daventry CP on 7th-8th and six at Pitsford Res on the last day of the period.

Eclipse drake Red-crested Pochards, Daventry CP, 7th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)

In the meantime, it’s September and waders were still out there to be had. Single Curlews visited Stanford on 7th and Lilbourne Meadows NR two days later, on 9th, while three Black-tailed Godwits were hangers on from last week at Pitsford until 8th, after which one remained into the latter part of the week. One was also present at Naseby Res on 9th and 12th.

Curlew, Lilbourne Meadows NR, 9th September 2025 (Phil West)

Juvenile Black-tailed Godwit, Pitsford Res, 6th September 2025 (Bob Bullock)

Ruffs, too, were present at four localities with numbers at Pitsford all week increasing from three to six on 11th. Elsewhere, Clifford Hill GP produced two on 11th following one there on 9th and singles were found at Summer Leys LNR on 6th, 9th and 11th and at Naseby on 8th and 12th. Wader of the week – and a first for the year in the county – was Curlew Sandpiper, two juveniles of which dropped in at Daventry on 7th but, alas, failed to stick around and had departed by the following morning.

Juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, Daventry CP, 7th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)

Juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, Daventry CP, 7th September 2025 (Bob Bullock)

And while Wood Sandpiper was back on the menu, with one at Naseby Res on 12th, Greenshanks hit their highest single site total in recent years when numbers rose to fifteen at Pitsford on 7th, dropping down to a mere three there by the end of the week. Smaller numbers elsewhere included five at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on 10th, three flying east over Oundle on 7th and singles at Boddington Res on 8th and at Naseby on 8th-9th and 12th.

Greenshank, Earls Barton GP, 10th September 2025 (Leslie Fox)

Naseby also held on to its near-resident German-ringed adult Caspian Gull throughout the period, while a juvenile visited Hollowell and Ravensthorpe on 8th and 9th, respectively, and a second-winter was found at Wicksteed Park Lakes, Kettering on 12th. Single Yellow-legged Gulls were duly logged at both Pitsford and Stanford on 6th, also at both Boddington and Priors Hall Quarry Lake, Corby on 7th and at Thrapston GP on 10th.

Daventry continued its decent run of autumn migrants this week with a juvenile Arctic Tern, briefly, on 10th, plus a Black Tern on the same date. More were to follow with, out east, two at Thrapston on the latter date and one at Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows NR on 12th, while Ravensthorpe laid claim to four on 11th, the latter moving across to nearby Hollowell the following day.

Adult Black Tern, Daventry CP, 10th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)

And, given the record-breaking influx currently under way, enter stage left, another Glossy Ibis – this time a juvenile –found on day one of the period at Pitsford where it was still in residence at the week’s end. Meanwhile, the Summer Leys bird remained settled there throughout the week. With numbers estimated to be in excess of six hundred across the UK, including a jaw-dropping ninety-two at one site in Cornwall on 8th, it seems likely we could be in for a few more in our own fair county …

Juvenile Glossy Ibis, Pitsford Res, 6th September 2025 (Bob Bullock)

Causing less of a stir, a Bittern was seen again at Summer Leys on 11th and a Cattle Egret spent a short time at Boddington Res before moving off north on 7th.

On the raptor front, up to two Ospreys were present throughout the week at Pitsford and singles elsewhere included one flying west over Northampton’s Abington Park on 6th, at Stanford Res on 7th, Boddington on 8th, Hollowell on 8th and 12th and at both Earls Barton and Summer Leys on 11th.

Osprey, Earls Barton GP, 11th September 2025 (Leslie Fox)

Taking a bit of a slide, though, Marsh Harrier numbers were down a little on last week with one at Pitsford seen on 9th, 11th and 12th, one in the Blueberry Farm/Brampton Valley area on 9th and 11th and one at Summer Leys on 11th doubling to two there the following day. Last week’s ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier remained in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton until at least 9th.

A Merlin provided an unusually striking sight in suburbia when one flew over Abington Park on 8th.

Juvenile Merlin, Abington Park, Northampton, 8th September 2025 (Tyler Atkinson)

And then there were passerines. The continual run of Common Redstarts we have become used to took a tumble this week with numbers down to just single birds at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 9th and in the Brampton Valley on 10th. The same could not be said for Whinchats, with the increasingly popular locality of the Brampton Valley holding good and producing small numbers daily, peaking at five there from 8th to 11th. Nearby Blueberry Farm also held up to three between 6th and 9th and singles were found at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on 6th-7th and at Hollowell Res on 9th.

Moving further into autumn, Stonechats are beginning to creep in with two in the Brampton Valley on 9th and one at Boddington on 10th.

Stonechat, Boddington Res, 10th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)

There were fewer Northern Wheatears reported during the period – just one at Hollowell on 8th, two at Blueberry Farm on 9th and two in the Brampton Valley on 10th-11th.

And Crossbill movements have also continued to slow to a trickle with Wakerley Great Wood producing at least two on 6th, while four were at Gamboro Plantation in the Brampton Valley on 9th.

Newsround 30th August to 5th September 2025

Posted on September 6, 2025September 6, 2025 by Mike Alibone

A hefty westerly blow across the UK also included some southerlies on the back of it which may have influenced the birds found in this week’s mix …

Apart from the female Ruddy Shelduck, which jumped ship from Naseby Res and moved to nearby Stanford Res by the week’s end, there were no other ducks to elicit any serious interest.

It was a different matter with regard to waders, though, and, with this summer’s drought-induced multiple muddy margins to choose from, they were well scattered. Proving prime in this respect, Pitsford Res continued to deliver the goods with five Black-tailed Godwits from 30th to 1st, dwindling to three by the end of the week. Elsewhere, Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR also produced a juvenile on 5th, this site already having held a short-staying flock of 5 Knots on 3rd.

Black-tailed Godwits, Pitsford Res, 30th August 2025 (Tyler Atkinson)

Continuing their respectable autumn run, Ruffs were found at seven localities, the highest count being five at Stanford on 4th. Pitsford came second with three between 3rd and 5th, Summer Leys LNR was home to one between 30th and 4th, with two present there on 1st and singles were at Hollowell Res on 31st, Naseby on 1st, Titchmarsh NR on 5th and at Daventry CP all week.

Hot on the heels of the year’s first Little Stint at Clifford Hill GP on 22nd, two more juveniles arrived on 30th – one at Boddington Res, the other at Pitsford – both proving to be short-stayers.

And numbers of Greenshanks remained solid, Pitsford producing the week’s top site total of nine between 31st and 4th. Elsewhere, three were found at Ditchford on 2nd, Boddington held two between 30th and 4th and singles were at Naseby between 1st and 5th, Summer Leys on 30th and 2nd, Hollowell on 2nd and Daventry on 3rd.

Stanford scored on the larid front with, on 3rd, a smart juvenile Little Gull, as well as a juvenile Mediterranean Gull – both in the vicinity of the dam there. Another juvenile Mediterranean Gull dropped into Daventry on 30th.

Juvenile Little Gull, Stanford Res, 3rd September 2025 (Chris Hubbard)

Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Daventry CP, 30th August 2025 (Gary Pullan)

Remaining faithful to Naseby, the German-ringed adult male Caspian Gull was present all week, while an adult visited Pitsford on 31st and a juvenile was at Daventry on 2nd. And the usual Yellow-legged Gulls were around at Pitsford, where there were three on 31st, four on 3rd and one on 4th, two were at Thrapston GP on 2nd and a juvenile was present Daventry from 1st to 3rd.

A single Black Tern stayed on from the previous week, remaining at Pitsford from 30th to 4th.

Following last week’s reappearance of a Glossy Ibis at two sites in the Nene Valley, this initially mobile individual finally settled at Summer Leys, where it showed nicely all week, after flipping back to Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows NR for a quick recce on 31st. This bird is seemingly an integral part of a mounting nationwide invasion, involving at least fifty birds, as far north as Lancashire, down to some far southwestern outposts, including multiples on the Isles of Scilly and double figures in Cornwall.

Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 2nd September 2025 (Bob Bullock)

Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 3rd September 2025 (Mike Alibone)

If your local wetland patch begins with an ‘S’ then it may only be a matter of time before a Bittern turns up, single birds being seen daily at Summer Leys between 2nd and 5th, at Stortons GP on 3rd and again at Stanford on 5th. The period’s Cattle Egret sightings were somewhat restricted this week, the 5th yielding three at Ringstead GP and one at Titchmarsh.

And the raptor draw continued to hold plenty. Pitsford was prime for Ospreys with two – possibly three – there on 30th, followed by singles on 31st-1st and 4th-5th. Elsewhere, singles were present at Thrapston/Titchmarsh on 1st-2nd and flying west over both Mears Ashby and suburban Northampton’s Abington Park on 4th.

Osprey, Abington Park, Northampton, 4th September 2025 (Tyler Atkinson)

Meanwhile, Marsh Harriers were still to be seen in reasonable numbers, with singles at Pitsford on 30th, Harrington AF on 31st and 2nd, Stanford on 31st and 4th, in the Brampton Valley on 1st, Summer Leys on 2nd and 4th and at Titchmarsh on 5th. Following recent occurrences of a ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier in the Brampton Valley/Blueberry Farm area, what was presumably the same individual was back quartering the arable fields and hedges there again on 30th and daily between 3rd and 5th.

And sticking with the same general area above, what was presumably the same Pied Flycatcher was again seen at Gamboro Plantation on 30th and 1st and, again, it remained highly elusive, with multiple would-be observers leaving empty-handed …

Keeping up appearances, Common Redstarts were seen at seven localities with, unsurprisingly, Stanford Res claiming the highest daily total of five trapped and ringed on 30th, followed by one there on 4th. Harrington laid claim to three on 31st and one on 2nd, up to two were at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell between 1st and 5th, Brampton Valley held two separate birds from 2nd to 5th, while further singles were present at Earls Barton GP’s Mary’s Lake on 30th and at both Lamport Hall and Nobottle Woods on 31st.

Common Redstart, Earls Barton GP, 30th August 2025 (Tyler Atkinson)

Rural Whinchat numbers dropped a little – the usual sites of Brampton Valley holding four between 1st and 5th, Blueberry Farm three on 2nd, Harrington one on 31st and 2nd and, off the regular Whinchat grid, Boddington one on 2nd.

Whinchat, Boddington Res, 2nd September 2025 (Gary Pullan)

Aside from two at Clifford Hill GP on 3rd, lone Northern Wheatears were to be found at Pitsford Res on 30th and 5th, Harrington AF on 31st and 2nd, in Brampton Valley on 1st-2nd and 5th, at Blueberry Farm on 2nd, at Hollowell Res on 4th-5th and at Thrapston on 5th.

Northern Wheatear, Stanford Res, 3rd September 2025 (Chris Hubbard)

A Tree Pipit touched down at Stanford, briefly, on 5th and, up in the north of the county, the Corby area produced single Crossbills at Corby Old Village on 30th and Brookfield Plantation on 31st.

Newsround 23rd to 29th August 2025

Posted on September 2, 2025 by Mike Alibone

Against a largely south-westerly airstream, migration continued apace, going on to deliver some more quality birds of which, so far this year, have been in short supply.

Excluded from the latter category, though, was the itinerant female Ruddy Shelduck, which ditched Hollowell Res for the more modest confines of Naseby Res, where it stayed until the week’s end. Conversely, Garganey, a duck we’ve not had the pleasure of easily connecting with this year, was found at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR on 27th, subsequently followed by another at Summer Leys LNR on 29th. These are only the fourth and fifth records of the year, following a rather lacklustre spring for this species in the county. Back on the agenda this week, three drake Red-crested Pochards appeared at Stanford Res on 28th, quickly followed by a female at Summer Leys the next day.

Eclipse drake Red-crested Pochards, Stanford Res, 28th August 2025 (Chris Hubbard)

For once seen and not heard, a Quail in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 29th was only the third one for the year, following singing males at nearby Blueberry Farm in mid-July and at Stanford for three days in early June.

The period enjoyed another good run of waders with the 26th seeing a passage of Whimbrels at the select locations of Stanford Res – where a total of fifteen (twelve, two and one) flew south-west within a two-hour period – Clifford Hill GP, where two circled before moving on, and at Naseby, where a solitary individual flew south.

Whimbrel, Clifford Hill GP, 26th August 2025 (Tyler Atkinson)

A single Curlew flew south over Boddington Res on 24th. Black-tailed Godwits were still on the move, trickling through in small numbers with last week’s three remaining at Titchmarsh NR until 26th, two at Pitsford Res on 23rd and singles at Clifford Hill GP on 25th and 29th.

Following the year’s one and only Knot at Clifford Hill on 19th May, three more appeared there on 25th, after which two remained until 28th.

Juvenile Knot, Clifford Hill GP, 25th August 2025 (Mike Alibone)

And it was another decent week for Ruffs, the run of which continued with five remaining at Pitsford Res until 25th, with three thereafter until 28th and one on 29th. Last week’s two at Boddington Res remained on site until 28th and singles were present at Titchmarsh NR on 23rd and 28th, Summer Leys from 24th to 29th, Clifford Hill from 25th to 28th, Hollowell Res on 25th and Daventry CP from 27th to 29th.

Juvenile Ruff, Boddington Res, 26th August 2025 (Gary Pullan)

Pitsford and Summer Leys carved up the week’s Wood Sandpipers between them, singles of which were at the former site from 23rd until 25th and at the latter from 25th to 27th.

Following up to three at Barnwell Lock, Oundle between 5th and 7th April, the second and third Spotted Redshanks for the year were found at both Clifford Hill and Summer Leys on 25th, the latter individual seeing the day out.

Juvenile Spotted Redshank, Summer Leys LNR, 25th August 2025 (Alan Coles)

Juvenile Spotted Redshank, Summer Leys LNR, 25th August 2025 (Bob Bullock)

Meanwhile, Greenshanks continued to proliferate, being present throughout at Boddington, Ditchford GP, Earls Barton GP, Hollowell, Naseby, Pitsford and Summer Leys, the peak count of seven coming from Pitsford on 24th.

Greenshanks, Boddington Res, 29th August 2025 (Gary Pullan)

Taking the prime slots for the week’s larids were Caspian Gulls, the German-ringed adult male seeing another week out at Naseby, while Daventry produced a third-summer on 27th and a juvenile on 28th. Pitsford delivered the week’s highest count of six Yellow-legged Gulls on 25th, two were at Earls Barton on 27th and single adults were at Cransley Res and Stanford on 28th and 29th, respectively.

The week also saw small numbers of the county’s scarer terns, with a juvenile Arctic Tern flying west through Summer Leys on 27th, while single Black Terns visited both Stanford and Hollowell on 25th, two were at the latter site the following day and two were at Pitsford on 27th, followed by one there on 28th-29th.

It’s been a while since the long staying Glossy Ibis departed Summer Leys, with the last confirmed report there on 14th May, followed by what was presumably the same bird at Stanwick from 14th to 16th May. This week, both sites saw a return to form, with one flying south-west over Stanwick on 28th before being relocated at Summer Leys later in the day, set to hang out there over the coming days, no doubt.

This week’s two Bitterns were both seen in flight at Stanford on 23rd and at Stanwick on 29th and a more respectable showing of Cattle Egrets than of late included ten flying low north-west over Boddington on 27th, constituting only the third record for the site. Elsewhere, six were in a field adjoining Ringstead GP on 24th, five visited Stanwick GP on 27th and one was at Titchmarsh on 23rd and 25th.

We’ve being used to it for a while now and, throughout the period, the usual raptors abounded – Brampton Valley, Hollowell, Pitsford and Thrapston all providing this week’s locational mix for Osprey numbers of between one and two.

Osprey, Brampton Valley, 24th August 2025 (Tyler Atkinson)

Marsh Harriers followed suit, with singles reported from Blueberry Farm (Maidwell), Harrington AF, Hollowell, Pitsford, Stanford, Stanwick and Wellingborough. A Goshawk flew over the Brampton Valley, between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton, on 23rd.

Juvenile Marsh Harrier, Pitsford Res, 24th August 2025 (Steve Nichols)

And, once more from the nets of Stanford, another smart catch in the shape of a Pied Flycatcher on 25th – a great bird but rather sublime in comparison to last week’s top-notch rarities served up there. Much more elusive, though, was a male found the previous day at Gamboro Plantation in the Brampton Valley, north-east of Cottesbrooke. It was also present on 25th, remaining under the radar until the end of the week … and showy it wasn’t.

Pied Flycatcher, Stanford Res, 25th August 2025 (Stanford Ringing Group)

Present at seven sites, Common Redstarts retained their prominence, being seen with some regularity, with up to three at Blueberry Farm and Harrington and three being trapped and ringed at Stanford on 24th. Ones and twos were also seen in the Brampton Valley and at Lamport, Old and Yardley Chase throughout the period.

Common Redstart, Brampton Valley, 24th August 2025 (Tyler Atkinson)

Whinchat numbers were on the up, reaching double figures, with ten in the week’s most popular locality of the Brampton Valley on 28th. Top site totals elsewhere were twos at both Blueberry Farm on 25th and Harrington on 25th-27th and singles at Thrapston on 23rd and Earls Barton on 29th.

Whinchat, Brampton Valley, 24th August 2025 (Tyler Atkinson)

The third Stonechat of the autumn was a juvenile at Hollowell Res on 28th, while numbers of Northern Wheatears were up slightly on last week’s with the top total being four at Harrington AF on 27th, when three were also at Spanhoe AF. Elsewhere, singles were at Blueberry Farm on 23rd and 25th, Stanford on 23rd and 27th and in the Brampton Valley on 23rd and 28th-29th.

Northern Wheatear, Stanford Res, 27th August 2025 (Chris Hubbard)

And after none last week, Tree Pipits put in a further appearance when two flew south over Pitsford on 24th while, also still on the move, Crossbills numbered five at Gamboro Plantation on 25th with four there on 28th and six flew over Blueberry Farm on 25th.