August 2026 – Northants birds

Newsround 22nd to 28th August 2026

Posted on August 29, 2026August 29, 2026 by Mike Alibone

The long-running period of drought-induced conditions was significantly disrupted this week as a series of low-pressure systems rolled in off the Atlantic bringing, to some areas, prolonged spells of thick cloud and heavy rain. With it came more birds and it began to feel like autumn proper – waders aplenty, new birds for the year and record-breaking flock sizes were all in the week’s mix …

Quickly dispensing with ducks, Garganeys were found at three localities during the period and holding up as the top site was Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR, where one was still present on 22nd, followed by two there on 28th. The extended shoreline of Sulby Res produced one on 24th and Pitsford Res held two on 27th. Still to be found at Stanford Res was the female Ferruginous Duck, again present at the week’s end.

In the not so ‘new order’ of species these days, one bird slotting into the systematic list at this point has become a local ‘must see’ for many new age county birders. Enter, Nightjar – now a difficult bird to catch up with in Northants. Or is it? Rumours of its presence at a small number of localities over the past few years remain just that, but searching suitable habitats after dark is, these days, perhaps considered a risky business. Two localities produced churring birds in summer 2022 but there are also recent records of autumn migrants, stumbled across quite by chance. This week’s bird falls into the latter category, found sitting on a country road outside Yarwell, on the evening of 26th.

Nightjar, Yarwell, 26th August 2026 (Tracie Garratt)

The period’s waders moved up a notch in terms of numbers. Six Curlews – a ‘high’ count in current times – flew east over Clifford Hill GP on 27th and there was a wider scattering of Black-tailed Godwits. Boddington Res produced four on 22nd, when one was present at Titchmarsh and two were at Pitsford, numbers climbing at the latter site over the week, peaking at eight on 28th, when one was also found at Daventry CP.

Juvenile Black-tailed Godwit, Daventry CP, 28th August 2026 (Gary Pullan)

Titchmarsh also produced a Turnstone on 22nd, ahead of what is surely a record breaking-flock of thirteen in flight at Pitsford on 28th. Double-figure flocks are hitherto unheard of in Northamptonshire …

Turnstones, Pitsford Res, 28th August 2026 (Tony Stanford)

Ruffs were also on the up. Numbers at Pitsford rose from one on 22nd to four on 27th and eleven on 28th. Elsewhere, one was at Summer Leys on 22nd and from 26th to 28th, one was at Daventry between 24th and 28th, two remained at Naseby Res from 25th to 27th, two were also at Hollowell from 26th to 28th, one visited Clifford Hill on 26th and one was at Boddington on 26th-27th.

Juvenile Ruffs, Hollowell Res, 26th August 2026 (Jon Cook)

Juvenile Ruff and Greenshank, Daventry CP, 26th August 2026 (Gary Pullan)

Juvenile Ruff, Daventry CP, 27th August 2026 (Gary Pullan)

So far proving prime for scarce waders this autumn, Daventry pulled in three smart juvenile Curlew Sandpipers on the final day of the period – new for the year and perhaps the only ones we’ll see in 2026.

Juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, Daventry CP, 28th August 2026 (Gary Pullan)

Continuing to elicit interest, the adult Pectoral Sandpiper also remained at Daventry throughout the week.

Adult Pectoral Sandpiper, Daventry CP, 26th August 2026 (Gary Pullan)

Mirroring the occurrence of the solitary bird at Titchmarsh last week, there was just one Wood Sandpiper to be found during the period, that being a short-staying individual at Boddington on 27th. Back at Daventry, another Spotted Redshank put on a display daily following the two that were there for three days at the beginning of the month. One was also found at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (North) on 24th, remaining there the following day.

Juvenile Spotted Redshank, Earls Barton GP, 25th August 2026 (Leslie Fox)

Juvenile Spotted Redshank, Daventry CP, 26th August 2026 (Gary Pullan)

Greenshanks were found at eight localities throughout the week, including Clifford Hill, Daventry, Earls Barton, Hollowell, Pitsford, Stanwick GP, Summer Leys and Thrapston, with the highest site totals of ten at Stanwick on 27th and eight at Pitsford on 28th.

Homing in on gulls produced the only Mediterranean Gull of the period, a juvenile at Boddington on 23rd, while late news regarding the ringing data on the Polish-ringed juvenile at Daventry last week has identified it as a nestling ringed on 6th June 2026 at Rybical, Warminsko-Mazurskie, Poland, approximately 1,491 km distant.

Polish-ringed juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Daventry CP, 16th August 2026 (Gary Pullan)

The slot for the week’s only Caspian Gull was filled by the German-ringed adult male that remained at Naseby throughout, while Yellow-legged Gulls were represented by at least three settled adults at Pitsford, single birds at Thrapston on 22nd, 27th and 28th, with two there on 26th, singles at Cottingham on 22nd, Ravensthorpe on 25th and Earls Barton on 28th, while Daventry produced two on 27th and one on 28th.

Rarely seen away from water, and a bird which has not been easy to catch up with this year, is Little Tern, with three bucking the trend as they were picked up in flight over Wollaston on 26th. If they dropped in anywhere local, nobody was any the wiser.

A juvenile Arctic Tern was found at Ravensthorpe on 27th, the same locality and date pulling in seven Black Terns, while singles of the latter were present at Hollowell on 25th, Boddington and Pitsford on 26th, Thrapston on 27th and Daventry on 28th.

Seemingly having settled into a routine, last week’s Glossy Ibis at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (North) periodically commuted to Summer Leys and back throughout. But in terms of numbers, this week saw another record-breaker in the form of a flock of five flying south-west over Stanwick on 28th.

Glossy Ibis, Earls Barton GP, 25th August 2026 (Mike Alibone)

Breaking cover from the reeds every so often, a Bittern showed again at Summer Leys on 27th.

Bittern, Summer Leys LNR, 27th August 2026 (Bob Bullock)

Single Cattle Egrets flew over Stanford on 27th and Boddington on the following day.

On the raptor front, single Ospreys were at Pitsford on 22nd, 25th and 27th, Hollowell on 23rd and 28th and over Arthingworth on 26th, while two were present at Thrapston on 23rd.

Up to two Marsh Harriers were seen intermittently at Summer Leys between 23rd and 26th, while singles visited Harrington AF on 24th, Titchmarsh on 28th and the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on the same date.

Heading down the passerine road, the week experienced a bit of a shake-up when the hallowed nets of the Stanford Ringing Group delivered a Wryneck on 22nd – another first for the year. Are we on for a sibe there later in the autumn …?

Wryneck, Stanford Res, 22nd August 2026 (Chris Hubbard)

Meanwhile, Lamport Hall landed a touch of class with an adult male Pied Flycatcher found on 26th amongst the annual gathering of Spotted Flycatchers along the footpath there at this time of the year. This was followed by a first-winter male at the same location the next day. Isn’t it about time this run along the side of the estate took on an appropriate name? ‘Flycatcher Footpath’, anybody?

First-winter male Pied Flycatcher, Lamport, 27th August 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)

The number of sites producing Common Redstarts remained healthily in double figures – eleven, to be precise. Blueberry Farm, Boddington Res, Brampton Valley, Brixworth, Clifford Hill, Harrington, Lamport, Lilbourne Meadows NR, Old/Walgrave, Stanford and Upper Heyford all delivered between one and three birds throughout the period.

There was a notable uptick in Whinchat numbers this week, with birds found at eight localities, the highest site total being four at Clifford Hill GP on 25th. Between one and two were also present at each of the remaining seven sites, comprising Blueberry Farm, Borough Hill, Brampton Valley, Harrington, Hollowell, Pitsford and Stanford.

Whinchat, Clifford Hill GP, 24th August 2026 (Tony Stanford)

Whinchat, Clifford Hill GP, 25th August 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)

Whinchat, Hollowell Res, 28th August 2026 (Jon Cook)

Following a similar pattern, Northern Wheatears also occurred more widely, with single birds at seven sites which included Aston le Walls, Brackley, Brampton Valley, Harrington, Lilbourne Meadows, Naseby, Stanford and Thrapston, while twos were seen at both Clifford Hill and Lamport.

Northern Wheatear, Stanford Res, 24th August 2026 (Steve Nichols)

Northern Wheatear, Clifford Hill GP, 25th August 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)

Hot on the heels of last week’s first Tree Pipit of 2026 came three more. Single birds were noted in flight over Harrington on 22nd and Clifford Hill on 27th while, on 23rd, one was trapped and ringed at Stanford.

Tree Pipit, Stanford Res, 23rd August 2026 (Chris Hubbard)

And thrown in for good measure, a Corn Bunting in the Brampton Valley on 22nd rounds off what was clearly a decent week for passerines, as well as other birds, in the county.

Newsround 15th to 21st August 2026

Posted on August 23, 2026August 24, 2026 by Mike Alibone

A settled period with average temperatures, brought on by a northerly airstream in the latter part of the week, saw migrational momentum on the up and delivering a now expected American wader to the shoreline of Daventry Country Park …

But running conventionally through the list, Garganey is a duck which has been rather scarce in the county this year, although this autumn’s few birds have been hanging around, thereby making themselves readily available to anyone intent on catching up after the dearth of spring records. Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR continued to feature daily in this respect, with one on 15th-16 and three from 18th until 21st. One was also found at Pitsford Res on 18th. The now settled female Ferruginous Duck at Stanford Res also saw another week out.

Just up the road from Summer Leys on the wider periphery of Great Doddington, however, came an intriguing report of a Turtle Dove ‘on the road’ during the late afternoon of 16th, although there was no sight nor sound thereafter. A bit of a head-scratcher, that.

Not so with waders, though, and two with curves were a Whimbrel at Pitsford on 20th, following a Curlew at Clifford Hill GP the day before. Following one at Summer Leys LNR on 15th, Pitsford gave rise to a healthy count of sixteen Black-tailed Godwits on 18th, while numbers varying between one and three continued to be seen there up until 20th. Titchmarsh also held on to one from 19th until 21st and five were found at Hollowell Res on the latter date.

Juvenile Black-tailed Godwits, Pitsford Res, 19th August 2026 (Alan Coles)

Juvenile Black-tailed Godwit, Pitsford Res, 19th August 2026 (Alan Coles)

And hot on the heels of only the third for the county this year, two more Turnstones were found – one at Pitsford on 18th and the other at Titchmarsh on 21st. Only the latter remained on view for any length of time …

As wader passage continued to beef up, three sites gave rise to Ruffs, with Boddington Res kicking off with one from 18th to 20th, two at Pitsford on 18th-19th and one on 20th-21st, followed by two at Clifford Hill on the latter date.

Juvenile Ruff, Boddington Res, 18th August 2026 (Gary Pullan)

But this year it was Daventry’s turn to host what’s now again become a regular Americano – and right on cue came a fine adult Pectoral Sandpiper, clearly in a nod to the newly-constructed viewing platform overlooking the site’s West Bay. Found on 17th, it remained on view throughout the period. This wader has been of annual occurrence over the past four years but, prior to 2022, there was a big, 11-year gap in records between then and 2011.

Adult Pectoral Sandpiper, Daventry CP, 17th August 2026 (Gary Pullan)

Adult Pectoral Sandpiper, Daventry CP, 17th August 2026 (Bob Bullock)

Adult Pectoral Sandpiper, Daventry CP, 17th August 2026 (Mike Alibone)

Last week’s Wood Sandpiper was still to be found at Titchmarsh until 19th but not subsequently. Greenshanks, however, continued to pour in and were present all week at Pitsford, where numbers rose from four on 15th to between seven and ten on 18th, before falling back to three on 21st. Elsewhere, one remained at Titchmarsh all week, two were at Hollowell Res on 15th with one there on 21st, one visited Ecton SF on 17th, two were at Summer Leys on 19th-20th, and singles were at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (North) on 20th-21st and at Clifford Hill on 21st.

Greenshank, Ecton SF, 17th August 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)

On the larid front, two juvenile Mediterranean Gulls – including last week’s with a Polish colour ring – were at Daventry on 16th after just the one there the previous day. Also, the German-ringed adult male Caspian Gull was still at Naseby Res on 18th and another adult visited Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) at the week’s end. Yellow-legged Gulls were down a little on last week’s numbers with six at Priors Hall Quarry Lake on 16th, one at Daventry on 17th and up to two at Pitsford from the latter date until the period’s end.

Adult Yellow-legged Gull, Pitsford Res, 18th August 2026 (Mike Alibone)

Following last week’s Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys, one appeared at Titchmarsh on 15th, then going AWOL before showing up there again on 18th. One was also reported again at Summer Leys on 18th before being relocated at nearby Earls Barton GP the next day, remaining there until 21st as well as being seen at Summer Leys again on the same date.

Glossy Ibis, Earls Barton GP, 19th August 2026 (Leslie Fox)

Summer Leys also produced 2 Cattle Egrets on 15th followed by a Bittern there the next day.

And then there were Ospreys. One at Thrapston GP on 17th and one or two over Brixworth on 18th, with two at Pitsford on 18th and 20th. Apart from two at Summer Leys on 15th, single Marsh Harriers were clocked at Titchmarsh on 15th, Stanford on 16th, Summer Leys again on 16th, at both Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and Pitsford on 18th and at Earls Barton on 21st.

Heading up the week’s passerines was a class act in the shape of a bright and shiny Wood Warbler. Encountered on the move at Wicken Wood on 15th, it was duly photographed by the finder who, coincidentally, was also the finder of this year’s only previous record, at Clifford Hill back in May. Nowadays in the county, they’re fast heading down the road to becoming as rare as hen’s teeth …

Wood Warbler, Wicken Wood, 15th August 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)

Seemingly moving in the opposite direction, the number of localities at which Common Redstarts continued to be found remained firmly in double figures, the thirteen localities producing them being Blueberry Farm (Maidwell), Boughton, Brampton Valley, Brixworth, Clifford Hill, Denton Wood, Great Brington, Harrington AF, Honey Hill, Lamport, Old/Walgrave, Pitsford and Stanford. The highest counts of three were at Harrington on 15th and Old/Walgrave on 19th and singles were trapped and ringed on 16th at both Brixworth and Stanford.

Male Common Redstart, Denton Wood, 15th August 2026 (Steve Brayshaw)

The number of Whinchats was limited to two, with single birds in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 18th and one at Borough Hill on 21st, while two Stonechats were also at the latter locality on the same date.

The 18th saw single Northern Wheatears in both the Brampton Valley and at Pitsford, while what would appear to be the first Tree Pipit of the year was seen at Hollowell on 15th.

A Crossbill was at Wicken Wood on 16th.

Newsround 8th to 14th August 2026

Posted on August 16, 2026August 16, 2026 by Mike Alibone

With local temperatures peaking at 35°C on the penultimate day, another dry week ensued, weatherwise – but not so on the birding front, which reached a climax on the last day of the period when the cream rose to the top …

While the regular female Ruddy Shelduck remained seemingly settled at Stanford Res in the early part of the week, it subsequently defected to Hollowell Res on 12th, where it was still to be found on 14th. The same cannot be said for Stanford’s female Ferruginous Duck which, obviously having taken a shine to the place, extended its stay there by another the week.

Female Ferruginous Duck, Stanford Res, 14th August 2026 (Chris Hubbard)

Two Garganeys were present at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR from 10th to 12th, with at least one remaining subsequently.

A Quail was reported in flight between Greatworth and Helmdon on 12th.

Also in flight was a Whimbrel, south over Pitsford Res on 12th, the same locality and date seeing a Curlew over north-west, with likely the same individual over Stanford some 25 minutes later. Three Black-tailed Godwits were on the ground at Clifford Hill GP on 10th, with one in flight there the following day, while two were found at Daventry CP on 12th.

Black-tailed Godwits, Daventry CP, 12th August 2026 (Gary Pullan)

Two ‘firsts’ for our autumn wader passage materialised in the form of a Turnstone in flight over Pitsford on 12th – only the third record of the year so far, following a disappointingly lean spring showing – and a Ruff at the same locality the day prior.

A Wood Sandpiper appeared at Titchmarsh on 9th, remaining on site all week and, following last week’s much-admired Spotted Redshanks at Daventry CP, three more duly obliged – this time for one day only, at Summer Leys LNR on 14th. The number of Greenshanks continued to rise with up to four at Pitsford throughout the week, up to two at Hollowell between 12th and 14th and singles at Titchmarsh all week and Summer Leys on 14th.

Greenshank, Pitsford Res, 14th August 2026 (Tony Stanford)

And while sifting through flocks of gulls for something spicy might not be everyone’s cup of tea, on the larid front, juvenile Mediterranean Gulls continued to feature with one at Stanford on 8th and a Polish-ringed individual at Daventry from 8th until at least 13th.

Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Daventry CP, 13th August 2026 (Gary Pullan)

Also, the German-ringed adult male Caspian Gull remained throughout at Naseby Res, being joined by a second-summer there on 13th, while another was found at Priors Hall Quarry Lake on 9th. At the same time, the latter site also produced the highest count of Yellow-legged Gulls, with seven there, while single juveniles visited Sywell CP on 8th and Daventry on 13th and one was at Thrapston GP on 10th.

Yellow-legged Gull, Priors Hall Quarry Lake, 9th August 2026 (James Underwood)

Leaving everything else in the shade, though, was the jewel in this week’s birding crown, found at Summer Leys on the final day. Initially flagged up as a Black Tern, the bird’s identification was nippily corrected as the county’s eighteenth White-winged Black Tern, feeding over the Main Lake there throughout the morning and well into the early evening. A moulting adult, it was one of four to be found in the UK during the week, hot on the heels of the last individual at the same locality during May 2025. Prior to that, we have to go back ten years to July 2015, when one was at Stanwick GP.

Adult White-winged Black Tern, Summer Leys LNR, 14th August 2026 (Kyle Smith)

Almost ironically, the last day of the week also produced two Black Terns at Clifford Hill GP.

Juvenile Black Tern, Clifford Hill GP, 14th August 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)

Back at Summer Leys, a Glossy Ibis appeared on 12th, remaining there until 14th. We’ve been spoiled rotten with them from last autumn and well into the spring so this bird did not emerge as a crowd-puller.

Single Bitterns were seen at Titchmarsh on 12th and at Summer Leys on 14th, while 2 Cattle Egrets visited the latter site on 9th and four appeared at Clifford Hill early doors on 14th.

With plenty still floating around, the 10th saw single Ospreys at Blatherwycke Lake, Hollowell, Pitsford and Thrapston, with Pitsford producing further sightings on 11th, 12th and 14th and one was again at Hollowell on the latter date. And early autumn traditionally sees a rise in the number of Marsh Harriers, exemplified perfectly by sightings coming from nine localities. Single birds were seen over Blueberry Farm (Maidwell), Byfield, Harrington AF, Lamport Hall, Pitsford, Ringstead GP, Summer Leys and Titchmarsh, while the Brampton Valley held two on 8th and 12th.

Juvenile Marsh Harrier, Summer Leys LNR, 10th August 2026 (Paul Crotty)

On the passerine front, Common Redstarts were again leading the way in terms of numbers. The ten localities producing them were Blueberry Farm (Maidwell), Brampton Valley, Clifford Hill, Cold Ashby, Great Oxendon, Harrington, Honey Hill, Lamport, Old/Walgrave and Stanford. Up to four at Harrington on 11th was the highest single site count and two were trapped and ringed at Stanford on 14th.

Common Redstart, Honey Hill, 10th August 2026 (Paul Young)

Common Redstart, Honey Hill, 12th August 2026 (Paul Young)

Whinchats were clearly on the up, this week, with twos in the Brampton Valley between Hanging Houghton and Brixworth and between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton, while singles were also present at Blueberry Farm, Harrington, Naseby and Titchmarsh. Single Northern Wheatears were found at Harrington on 11th and 13th, in the Brampton Valley on 11th, 13th and 14th, between Stony Stratford and Wolverton on 12th and at Orlingbury on 14th.

A lone Crossbill was seen near Lyveden New Bield on 9th.

Newsround 1st to 7th August 2026

Posted on August 8, 2026 by Mike Alibone

While the warm, dry weather continued, the first week of August saw mounting expectations of good things to come – particularly with regard to waders, numbers of which rose a little, with the quality moving up a notch …

Ducking and diving was the female Ferruginous Duck seen daily at Stanford Res until 5th, the same site continuing to host the regular female Ruddy Shelduck throughout the period.

Female Ferruginous Duck, Stanford Res, 3rd August 2026 (Chris Hubbard)

Meanwhile, at Summer Leys LNR, the two Garganeys remained present on the Scrape until at least 5th, while one was also found at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR on the last day of the week.

Eclipse drake Garganey, Summer Leys LNR, 2nd August 2026 (Alan Coles)

Eclipse drake Garganey, Summer Leys LNR, 5th August 2026 (Alan Coles)

Now into its fourth week, the remarkable run of Black-necked Grebes continued with two at Stanford on 1st, at least one of which remained until 3rd, while one was reported at Daventry CP on 1st.

Black-necked Grebes, Stanford Res, 1st August 2026 (Barry Silverman)

With the water level dropping nicely, Daventry also gave rise to a Whimbrel on 4th but stealing the show there were two crisp, juvenile Spotted Redshanks from 1st until 3rd, this duo attracting a lot of attention, being only the second record of the year after one at Earls Barton GP on 23rd-24th April.

Juvenile Spotted Redshanks, Daventry CP, 2nd August 2026 (Gary Pullan)

Juvenile Spotted Redshank, Daventry CP, 2nd August 2026 (Jim Urwin)

Juvenile Spotted Redshank, Daventry CP, 3rd August 2026 (Gary Pullan)

Following just one bird last week, Greenshanks were up in the closing two days, the 6th seeing singles at Boddington Res and Summer Leys, followed the next day by two at Sulby Res and further singles at Hollowell Res, Pitsford Res, Stanford and Titchmarsh.

Four sites produced Black-tailed Godwits, Daventry leading with five on 1st, followed by two at Clifford Hill GP on 2nd, where one was to be found between 4th and 7th. Sulby hung on to one between 4th and 6th, with one visiting Summer Leys on the latter date.

Black-tailed Godwit, Sulby Res, 6th August 2026 (Mike Alibone)

Like last week, just the one Mediterranean Gull – again a juvenile – appeared, this time at Hollowell Res on 4th. And sticking with the reservoirs, single first-summer Caspian Gulls visited Boddington and Daventry on 3rd and 6th, respectively, while Naseby retained its German-ringed adult male throughout the period. Juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls were present at Daventry on 1st and 3rd and adults were seen at Thrapston/Titchmarsh on 2nd, 4th and 7th and at Pitsford on 4th and Hollowell on 5th.

Summer Leys’ Scrape gave rise to a Bittern on 3rd, following a Cattle Egret there the previous day, while another Cattle Egret flew over Woodford Halse on 7th.

Cattle Egret, Summer Leys LNR, 2nd August 2026 (Alan Coles)

And this week’s raptors were last week’s raptors, with Ospreys and Marsh Harriers once more filling the category between them. Singles of the former flew over Stanford on 1st and 2nd and three whirled over Hollowell together before drifting off south-east on 4th, followed again by one there the next day. Apart from one at Stanford on 1st, Marsh Harriers were largely restricted to the Brampton Valley/Blueberry Farm area, where they were seen almost daily and three were present together on 3rd. Only a stone’s throw away, one visited Harrington AF on 4th.

On the passerine front, Common Redstarts were once again dominant, eleven localities producing decent numbers. These comprised Blueberry Farm (Maidwell), Borough Hill, Brampton Valley, Clifford Hill, Cosgrove, Harrington, Honey Hill, Kislingbury GP, Lamport, Old/Walgrave and Upper Heyford. Five at Blueberry Farm on 3rd was the highest single site count.

Common Redstart, Glassthorpe Hill, 7th August 2026 (Jon Cook)

Two Whinchats were in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 2nd with one again in the same area on 5th and two were found at Harrington AF on the last day of the period.

Not to be outdone, Northern Wheatears kept up appearances, with single birds at Upton CP on 1st, in the Brampton Valley on 3rd and at Harrington AF on 4th.

Newsround 25th to 31st July 2026

Posted on August 1, 2026August 1, 2026 by Mike Alibone

Another dry week, weatherwise, but not so in terms of the local birding scene, which saw a number of new arrivals, the best of which vanished within minutes of being found …

The same cannot be said with regard to ducks, however, with the ageing female Ruddy Shelduck seeing out another week at Stanford Res and sharing the water with the female Ferruginous Duck of unknown origin, which appeared there once more on 27th. A repeat performance from the first week in July saw a female Red-crested Pochard again at Ravensthorpe Res on 27th and 28th in company with the female Red-crested Pochard x Mallard hybrid on the first of these two dates. The latter is best swept under the carpet. We’ll say no more …

As well as the two Garganeys extending their stay by another week at Summer Leys LNR, two more were present at Daventry CP on 30th.

Eclipse drake Garganey, Summer Leys LNR, 28th July 2026 (Mike Alibone)

Female and eclipse drake Garganey, Summer Leys LNR, 28th July 2026 (Mike Alibone)

Female and eclipse drake Garganey, Daventry CP, 30th July 2026 (Gary Pullan)

And we were reminded of the good year for Quail this week when another singing male was heard, this time near Mawsley, on 26th.

Black-necked Grebes were again very much in the spotlight during the period, with an adult from last week remaining at Daventry until 29th, a juvenile appearing at Ravensthorpe on 26th, followed by two juveniles at Stanford on 27th and one there on 31st.

Black-necked Grebes, Stanford Res, 27th July 2026 (Chris Hubbard)

There was no change in the week’s offering of waders, with the 27th seeing two Black-tailed Godwits at Earls Barton GP and singles at Boddington Res and Sulby Res, followed by another at Daventry on 31st.

Black-tailed Godwit, Boddington Res, 27th July 2026 (Gary Pullan)

Last week’s Wood Sandpiper at Daventry was also reportedly present there on the first day of this week, while a Greenshank appeared at Pitsford Res on 28th.

And it was the turn of Stanford to dish up the period’s only Mediterranean Gull with a juvenile present on the dam there on 27th.

Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Stanford Res, 27th July 2026 (Chris Hubbard)

Back this week for its sixth year, the German-ringed ‘XLVH’ adult male Caspian Gull returned to Naseby Res where it was to be found on 27th and 31st. This individual is now at least ten years old.

German-ringed adult male Caspian Gull, Naseby Res, 27th July 2026 (Mike Alibone)

Single Yellow-legged Gulls were at Daventry on 26th, Pitsford on 27th, 29th and 30th and at Thrapston GP on the latter date.

Echoing last week, a first-summer Arctic Tern was again present at Daventry on 30th.

A Cattle Egret was an unusual visitor for Hollowell Res on 30th.

The period experienced a paucity in Osprey sightings with just single birds at Hollowell on 27th and at Pitsford the following day. The same cannot be said for Marsh Harriers, though, with one in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 25th, 28th, 30th and 31st, with likely the same individual at nearby Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 29th. Singles were also seen at Harrington AF on 28th and at Stanford on 31st.

Had it stuck around, bird of the week, by a long chalk, would have been the Red-backed Shrike found in the Brampton Valley on 25th. Said to have been a juvenile, it was discovered appropriately on the so-called ‘shrike hedge’ between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton before being flushed by one of the above Marsh Harriers, after which it was not relocated, despite searches conducted by multiple observers. Now, had it been akin to a certain shrike currently residing on the Gloucestershire/Oxfordshire border, pandemonium would have no doubt broken out …

Thirteen localities produced Common Redstarts this week, including Barton Seagrave, Blueberry Farm (Maidwell), Brampton Valley (between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton), Clifford Hill GP, Daventry CP, Harrington AF, Honey Hill, Lilbourne Meadows NR, Long Buckby, Old, Pitsford Res, Stanford Res and Upper Heyford.

Male Common Redstart, Clifford Hill GP, 26th July 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)

Juvenile Common Redstart, Stanford Res, 30th July 2026 (Chris Hubbard)

Following the autumn’s first last week, the period’s Whinchats comprised one at Honey Hill on 26th and two in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton.