Currently considered a national rarity based on statistics, a Treecreeper showing characteristics of the northern European race familiaris – more commonly known as ‘Northern Treecreeper’ was found, photographed, and subsequently identified, by Julie Roe at Summer Leys LNR on 20th March. It was present in trees on the west side of the path between the Feeding Station and Screen Hide.
The bird, first noticed by its ‘frosty’ appearance, exhibited all the key identification features including the obvious white spots on the mantle, pale scapular feathers with white shafts and a warmer rump.
Northern Treecreeper, Summer Leys LNR, 20th March 2025 (Julie Roe)
Its broad and startlingly white supercilium extended and flared into the upperparts as well as extending in front of the eye and over the lores. The underparts were gleamingly snow-white with only a slight buff tinge limited to rear flanks and undertail coverts.
Northern Treecreeper, Summer Leys LNR, 20th March 2025 (Julie Roe)Northern Treecreeper, Summer Leys LNR, 20th March 2025 (Julie Roe)
The above features are spot-on for this race which occurs in Fennoscandia, eastern Europe and northern Russia as far east as western Siberia, while our own race britannica is restricted to Britain & Ireland.
One further feature outlined by the late, great Martin Garner in his Birding Frontiers Challenge Series – Autumn (2014) is that the forward-pointing claws of Northern Treecreeper are wholly pale/translucent compared to the usually slightly darker sides to the same claws on britannica. This feature is clearly evident in the images captured by Julie.
With only 36 accepted UK records up to 2022 and a further 11 in 2023 – deemed a bumper year for the occurrence of this race in the UK – records of Northern Treecreeper are currently considered by the British Birds Rarities Committee, although its national status is recognised as uncertain but possibly more common than statistics suggest.
The Northern Isles have accounted for the majority of records but they have also occurred further south along the east coast. Our bird in Northants is likely to be the only one to have knowingly occurred this far inland. The record will be submitted to BBRC in due course.
Suggested reading for further information on Northern Treecreeper identification and status
The week just gone saw a flip back to warmer conditions as a southerly airmass moved in from the continent, giving rise to the UK’s warmest day of the year so far, with local temperatures reaching 18°C, while the wind took on an easterly vector during the final two days. Perfect conditions for northbound migrants … and in they came.
There were, however, some winter visitors that were simply refusing to budge and we’re referring here to the Pink-footed Goose, still with the Nene Valley Greylags in the Cogenhoe Mill/Earls Barton GP area all week, although there were no further reports of the two at Thrapston GP/Titchmarsh NR beyond 15th.
Pink-footed Goose, Earls Barton GP, 15th March 2025 (Leslie Fox)Pink-footed Goose, Thrapston GP, 15th March 2025 (James Underwood)
Also seeing the week out were the seven (eight on 18th) White-fronted Geese with the above Greylags, as did the two at Ravensthorpe Res, while last week’s three remained at Titchmarsh until at least 17th.
White-fronted Geese, Ravensthorpe Res, 20th March 2025 (Jon Cook)
Seemingly settled, too, was the drake Red-crested Pochard at Earls Barton GP and on the River Nene between Cogenhoe and Whiston Lock, where it was still to be found at the period’s end.
Greater Scaup was still on the radar this week, with the first-winter female remaining at Blatherwycke Lake until at least 15th and the drake continued to rub along with the Tufted Ducks on Mary’s Lake at Earls Barton throughout.
First-winter female Greater Scaup, Blatherwycke Lake, 15th March 2025 (James Underwood)Drake Greater Scaup, Earls Barton GP, 17th March 2025 (Mike Alibone)Drake Greater Scaup, Earls Barton GP, 19th March 2025 (Bob Bullock)
Perhaps having now vacated the area, the drake Smew was still to be seen at Clifford Hill GP until 19th, after which there were no further reports.
Following three in flight over Stanford Res the previous week, a Crane was reported flying west at Titchmarsh NR on 16th, although no further details were forthcoming.
However, the waders on offer during the period served to lift the spirits, underlining that spring is now firmly established, if not yet in full flow. Four Avocets dropped into Clifford Hill early in the morning of 18th before swiftly moving east, after which they also paid a brief visit to Summer Leys LNR, some fifteen minutes later. For those – and that’s nigh on everyone – unable to catch up with them, two more were found on floodwater at Lower Barnwell Lock, Oundle, where they spent at least two and a half hours on 20th. More were still to follow, two subsequently being located at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South), mid-afternoon on 21st, seeing the rest of the day out asleep and choosing to extend their roost there. These are, so far, only the second, third and fourth records of the year, following one at Summer Leys on the unusually early date of 26th February.
Avocets, Clifford Hill GP, 18th March 2025 (Tyler Atkinson)Avocets, Lower Barnwell Lock, 20th March 2025 (Bob Bullock)Avocets, Earls Barton GP, 21st March 2025 (Mike Alibone)
Other waders were, of course, available and three Black-tailed Godwits dropped in at Summer Leys for a brief spell on 20th, followed by two at Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes & Meadows NR the next day.
Black-tailed Godwit, Summer Leys LNR, 20th March 2025 (Clive Bowley)
Summer Leys also produced a couple of Ruffs – one on 17th-18th, joined by a second bird on 19th-20th.
Ruff, Summer Leys LNR, 18th March 2025 (Bob Bullock)Ruff, Summer Leys LNR, 18th March 2025 (Clive Bowley)Ruff, Summer Leys LNR, 19th March 2025 (Mike Alibone)
Aside from up to three Jack Snipes seeing out the back end of winter at Hollowell this week, two additional localities produced further singles, these being at Pitsford Res on 16th and Summer Leys on 19th.
And we were to be treated to a new wave of Little Gulls as the week drew to a close on 21st. Ditchford produced at least three, while a respectable six turned up at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South), mid-afternoon, providing some prime viewing opportunities before choosing to roost there.
Little Gull, Ditchford GP, 21st March 2025 (Tony Vials)Little Gull, Ditchford GP, 21st March 2025 (Tony Vials)Little Gulls, Earls Barton GP, 21st March 2025 (Bob Bullock)
Though arguably less entertaining, other scarce larids showed up in the form of four transient adult Caspian Gulls – considered two be two pairs – at Ravensthorpe on 17th, followed by another adult at Summer Leys the following day. And aside from a first-summer at Hollowell on 21st, Yellow-legged Gulls were down to just the one adult at Pitsford between 17th and 20th.
Pitsford also continued to play host to the wintering Great Northern Diver, the latter clearly in no hurry to move on.
And the same applied to the Summer Leys Glossy Ibis … still there at the week’s end.
Bitterns are booming, or so it seems, with one heard on several days at an undisclosed locality and one was seen again at Hollowell Res, where it’s clearly keeping a low profile, on 17th. The same cannot be said for Cattle Egrets, numbers of which remain low in comparison to a couple of years ago. Aside from singles extending their stays at Blatherwycke and Clifford Hill, until at least 15th and 21st, respectively, up to four were seen exiting a roost site at Stanwick GP, early doors on 15th and on 19th-21st.
What was set to have been the county’s first Osprey of the year, at Pitsford on 17th, was superseded by belated news of an earlier one at Fawsley Park Lakes on 11th. One was also seen at Hollowell on 18th and on 20th-21st.
The period’s Marsh Harriers were limited to localities beginning with ‘S’, with one at Stortons GP on 15th, what was presumably last week’s individual continuing to put in appearances at Stanwick on 17th and 21st, and one also visiting Summer Leys on the last of these dates.
And another summer visitor crossed the line to become the first of its kind to enter the county this year in the shape of a Swallow at Hollowell on 21st.
The year’s second Northern Wheatear was also found on the same date at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South), a location which has more than proven itself attractive to wetland species of late and is becoming increasingly popular with birds and birders alike.
And in common with many of the winter visitors stubbornly refusing to up sticks and go, two Hawfinches remained in Cottesbrooke until at least 16th.
In a striking about-turn, the week’s main weather feature consisted of a considerable drop in temperature, the wind direction doing a one-eighty as a significantly cold airstream slid down from the high Arctic in a bid to engulf the country. While this did not completely put the mockers on migration, there were no new summer visitors and although Sand Martins and Little Ringed Plovers continued to trickle through in small numbers, two much larger birds were to make the week’s headlines …
The regular collection of wildfowl remained in place and their numbers swelled this week, commencing with Pink-footed Geese, which saw two new individuals arrive on the scene – one at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR on 8th, remaining throughout the period and the other at Stanford Res on 8th-10th.
Pink-footed Goose, Stanford Res, 8th March 2025 (Chris Hubbard)Pink-footed Goose, Whiston Lock, 8th March 2025 (Alan Coles)Pink-footed Goose, Earls Barton GP, 8th March 2025 (Leslie Fox)
The long-staying individual saw another week out in the Cogenhoe Mill/Whiston/Earls Barton GP area, alongside the seven White-fronted Geese amid the local Greylag flock there. Three new Whitefronts were also found at Titchmarsh on 13th and were still present the following day, while the Ravensthorpe Res duo extended their stay there by another week.
White-fronted Geese, Earls Barton GP, 8th March 2025 (Leslie Fox)White-fronted Goose, Earls Barton GP, 9th March 2025 (Phil West)
While the drake Red-crested Pochard from the previous week spent most of its time on the River Nene between Cogenhoe and Whiston Lock throughout, another drake turned up at Daventry CP on 10th.
Drake Red-crested Pochard, Earls Barton GP, 8th March 2025 (Leslie Fox)Drake Red-crested Pochard, Earls Barton GP, 9th March 2025 (Phil West)Drake Red-crested Pochard, Daventry CP, 10th March 2025 (Gary Pullan)
The drake Ring-necked Duck again remained at Titchmarsh until the period’s end, while the ever-popular drake Smew extended its stay by another week at Clifford Hill GP.
Drake Ring-necked Duck, Thrapston GP, 9th March 2025 (Phil West)Drake Smew, Clifford Hill GP, 14th March 2025 (Tony Stanford)
Eclipsing all of the above by size alone, though, were the three Cranes (no, not the pub in Cransley) that flew low over Stanford Res during the late morning of 9th. A subsequent search of the surrounding area unfortunately drew a blank. These were the first to be recorded since 2023, a year when there were three records, including two very accommodating birds at Summer Leys LNR.
Aside from a further dusting of migrant Little Ringed Plovers, waders were limited to up to four Jack Snipes at Hollowell Res between 10th and 14th and the wintering Common Sandpiper that remained at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (North), where it was seen on 8th, 9th and 14th.
March is traditionally the month in spring for Mediterranean Gulls moving through the county, as exemplified this week by birds found at three localities. Boddington Res produced the biggest haul with an adult on 10th, 12th and 13th, joined by a first-winter on 10th and a second-summer on 12th, while an adult visited Pitsford Res on 11th and a first-winter was at Hollowell on 14th.
First-winter Mediterranean Gull, Boddington Res, 10th March 2025 (Gary Pullan)Second-summer Mediterranean Gull, Boddington Res, 12th March 2025 (Gary Pullan)Adult Mediterranean Gull, Boddington Res, 13th March 2025 (Gary Pullan)
Aside from a first-winter in the Boddington gull roost on 12th, the week’s Yellow-legged Gulls were restricted to Pitsford Res, where there was one on 9th, five in the gull roost there on 10th, three on 11th, four on 12th and two on 14th.
Pitsford also continued to hang on to its Great Northern Diver until at least 11th.
Seeing out yet another week at Summer Leys, the Glossy Ibis appeared to be in no hurry to move on, yet …
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 12th March 2025 (Mike Alibone)
The period’s Cattle Egrets included last week’s individual at Clifford Hill extending its stay there for a further seven days, while two flew north-east over Stanwick GP in the early mornings of 11th and 13th.
Cattle Egret, Clifford Hill GP, 14th March 2025 (Tony Stanford)
Stanwick also appeared to be the place of choice for a roosting Marsh Harrier, first seen on 11th and again leaving the reedbed there first thing in the morning on the following day. Another was again seen further up the Nene Valley as it flew south across the A45 toward the Cogenhoe/Whiston area on 8th.
Marsh Harrier, Stanwick GP, 12th March 2025 (Steve Fisher)
Expanding the harrier tally, a ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier was present briefly at Hollowell on 13th.
And then things went decidedly large on the raptor front …
Although not 100% wild, a British born and bred White-tailed Eagle was GPS-tracked in flight over Hollowell Res on the afternoon of 10th, after having visited Rutland Water and roosting near Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire, 20 km to the north-east, the previous night. It was identified as ‘G602’, a second calendar year male translocated from a nest in the Isle of Skye to the Isle of Wight as a pullus last summer. Not travelling overly far, it subsequently roosted near Church Brampton and was seen early on 11th between there and Althorp before flying over north Northampton and then south-east to Yardley Chase, where it chose to linger for several hours. Further tracking indicated that it then left Northamptonshire and was south of Milton Keynes by early afternoon on 12th.
Second calendar year White-tailed Eagle, Althorp/Church Brampton, 11th March 2025 (Adey Greeno)
With very little new on offer, passerines took very much a back seat in the week’s proceedings and were limited to a single Hawfinch at Blisworth on 9th and two in the established environs of Cottesbrooke on 9th-10th, while just the one Crossbill was seen at Bucknell Wood on 9th.
A high pressure system over eastern Europe and a low over the North Atlanticbetween them delivered a substantial and sustained, warm southerly airstream, providing what was no doubt a considerable catalyst for northward migration. No less than three summer visitors opened the gates of spring and set the clock ticking for more to follow as we headed into March …
Before the first of these though, the usual scattering of wildfowl served as a reminder that we’re not quite done with winter, yet. All present and correct, then, were the geese we have been lucky to pull in and retain over the past few months, starting with the Pink-footed Goose with Greylags in the Cogenhoe Mill/Earls Barton GP area, which saw another week out there, along with the seven White-fronted Geese – the latter still present on 7th. The two longest staying Whitefronts also remained at Ravensthorpe Res until at least 5th.
Pink-footed Goose, Earls Barton GP, 4th March 2025 (Leslie Fox)White-fronted Geese, Earls Barton GP, 2nd March 2025 (Bob Bullock)White-fronted Geese, Earls Barton GP, 2nd March 2025 (Bob Bullock)
Remaining all week within spitting distance of the of the Cogenhoe cluster, the week’s sole Red-crested Pochard – a fine drake – was mobile along the River Nene as well as on the adjacent Earls Barton GP New Workings (South). More upmarket diving ducks were still to be had throughout the week in the shape of the drake Ring-necked Duck, seemingly now settled at Titchmarsh NR, and the drake Smew tucked in at the western end of Clifford Hill GP’s Main Barrage Lake.
Drake Smew, Clifford Hill GP, 6th March 2025 (Tyler Atkinson)
And now the first of those summer visitors to get a mention in this week’s lineup is Little Ringed Plover, one of which dropped into Clifford Hill GP. Its visit was brief, however, moving on shortly after its discovery there on 6th. Other waders were also available and included up to three Jack Snipes at Hollowell Res between 3rd and 7th and singles at Harrington AF on 4th and Stanford Res on 7th. The wintering Common Sandpiper was also still mobile around Earls Barton GP’s New Workings, being seen there on 4th and 7th.
Common Sandpiper, Earls Barton GP, 4th March 2025 (Leslie Fox)
A Yellow-legged Gull at Clifford Hill on 5th was the sole representative of its kind during the period.
And the Pitsford Great Northern Diver? Still there until at least 6th.
Meanwhile, back in the Nene Valley, the Glossy Ibis notched up another week at Summer Leys LNR. Its days on site must now surely be numbered …
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 4th March 2025 (Bob Bullock)Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 4th March 2025 (Bob Bullock)
A Bittern was an unusual site record – but not the first – for Ravensthorpe Res on 3rd. Leaning toward standard patter, though, was a Cattle Egret at Clifford Hill on 6th and 7th.
Cattle Egret, Clifford Hill GP, 6th March 2025 (Mike Alibone)
The week’s Marsh Harriers were widely spread, with single birds at Cransley Res on 6th and at both Earls Barton and Thrapston on the following day. Harrington AF delivered the week’s only Short-eared Owl on 4th and a Merlin was clocked in hot pursuit of Goldfinches over Sixfields, Northampton on 2nd.
The second of the period’s summer visitors appeared in the shape of two Sand Martins at Quarry Hall Lake, Priors Hall, Corby on 5th. There will no doubt be many more to come over the following weeks …
And with singles at Clifford Hill on 3rd and Earls Barton on 7th, Stonechats are seemingly melting away, being replaced by one of the most iconic of summer visitors, Northern Wheatear, a male of which was found at Clifford Hill on 6th. Like the Little Ringed Plover at the same site on the same date, its stay there was, however, somewhat short-lived …
Male Northern Wheatear, Clifford Hill GP, 6th March 2025 (Tyler Atkinson)
And, as a final reminder of the winter’s Hawfinch invasion, at least one was still in and around Cottesbrooke on 1st.
February, now done and dusted, ended cleanly on the last day of the review period. But even before the first day of meteorological spring was upon us, the county notched up two new spring migrants for the year – well ahead of when we would normally expect to see them …
Aside from these, all of the winter wildfowl appeared to remain settled throughout the week and, although the Pink-footed Goose in the vicinity of Cogenhoe Mill was reported only on day one, the seven White-fronted Geese in the same area were seen almost daily. Away to the north, the county’s other two wintering whitefronts saw another week out at Ravensthorpe Res.
Pink-footed Goose and White-fronted Goose, Cogenhoe Mill, 22nd February 2025 (James Underwood)White-fronted Geese, Cogenhoe Mill, 24th February 2025 (William Miller)White-fronted Geese, Earls Barton GP, 27th February 2025 (Leslie Fox)
A mere stone’s throw away from the latter locality, the long-standing female Ruddy Shelduck was still present at Winwick Pools on 27th and, as the week progressed, it appears we became awash with Red-crested Pochards. Two made a short stopover at Ravensthorpe on 24th, the same date on which two were also seen at Clifford Hill GP and a drake appeared on the River Nene between Cogenhoe and Whiston on 25th, moving to Earls Barton GP on 27th. Meanwhile, the long-staying female remained at Daventry CP until at least 26th.
With no sign last week of the drake Ring-necked Duck at Thrapston GP – or anywhere else, for that matter – it was back there at Heronry Lake on the last day of the period. Further up the Nene Valley, the year’s third Greater Scaup, an advanced first-winter drake, was found at Summer Leys LNR on 23rd before relocating to adjacent Mary’s Lake on 25th, where it remained until at least the following day. Further north, the first-winter female remained at Blatherwycke Lake until at least 23rd.
The drake Smew chose to bide its time all week at Clifford Hill GP.
Fronting this week’s waders was a first for the year in the shape of a very early migrant Avocet at Summer Leys, first thing on 26th. But its stay was brief, moving on in haste as soon as the rainclouds lifted … Aside from this, two Jack Snipes were at Barnes Meadow NR on 22nd followed by up to two at Hollowell Res between 25th and 27th, while the wintering Common Sandpiper once more raised its head at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on the last of these two dates.
Another early bird – and the second new one for the year this week – was an adult Little Gull that clearly found Ravensthorpe to its liking, making an extended stay of five days between 23rd and 27th, during which it proved a popular draw.
Adult Little Gull, Ravensthorpe Res, 23rd February 2025 (Jon Cook)Adult Little Gull, Ravensthorpe Res, 23rd February 2025 (Jon Cook)Adult Little Gull, Ravensthorpe Res, 23rd February 2025 (Bob Bullock)Adult Little Gull, Ravensthorpe Res, 23rd February 2025 (Bob Bullock)Adult Little Gull, Ravensthorpe Res, 24th February 2025 (Jon Cook)Adult Little Gull, Ravensthorpe Res, 25th February 2025 (Phil West)
Otherwise, scarce larids were well down in numbers with just two adult Mediterranean Gulls appearing in the gull roost at Boddington Res on 28th – another sure sign of spring movement – and a first-winter Caspian Gull at Hollowell Res on 25th.
Adult Mediterranean Gull, Boddington Res, 28th February 2025 (John Friendship-Taylor)
Meanwhile, the Summer Leys Glossy Ibis extended its five-month stay by another week …
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 28th February 2025 (Leslie Fox)
A Cattle Egret also appeared at Summer Leys on 23rd and three were again in the vicinity of Stanwick GP’s North Lake two days later, on 25th.
With nothing to shout about on the raptor front, single Short-eared Owls – most likely just the one – were again on private land near Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 22nd-23rd and at the adjacent site that is the Brampton Valley, between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton, on 27th-28th, where a Merlin was also reported on 27th.
And it was left to Stonechats to prop up this week’s passerines, with Earls Barton producing the highest count of six on 27th, while Hollowell mustered five, Borough Hill two and Harrington AF one.
Temperatures had leapt up to a balmy 15°C by the week’s end – the result of a south to south-westerly airstream off the near continent and, with the UK’s first Northern Wheatear of the year appearing in Avon on 18th, it appears that we are well and truly on the cusp of spring.
While the aforementioned wheatear seems, and is, early, in 2023 we went one better in our own good county when one put in an appearance near Lyveden New Bield on 15th February, the earliest-ever county record. In the meantime, we’ll just have to be content with the usual array of winter birds as the wait goes on for the first summer visitor to arrive locally …
And that array includes what has become part of the furniture of late: grey geese. For another week the Earls Barton GP/Cogenhoe Greylags held on to the visiting Pink-footed Goose, along with the seven White-fronted Geese which allow easy viewing in the riverside fields in this small area of the Nene Valley. Following an absence of reports the previous week, the two long-staying White-fronted Geese were still to be found at and around Ravensthorpe Res until at least 18th.
White-fronted Geese, Earls Barton GP, 21st February 2025 (Leslie Fox)White-fronted Goose, Earls Barton GP, 21st February 2025 (Leslie Fox)
Still in place this week was the female Red-crested Pochard at Daventry CP, remaining there throughout the period.
Female Red-crested Pochard, Daventry CP, 21st February 2025 (Gary Pullan)
With the trail for last week’s Ring-necked Duck now having gone cold, we were left with the first-winter female Greater Scaup at Blatherwycke Lake on 16th and the drake Smew at Clifford Hill GP throughout to keep the best of the wildfowl afloat.
And this week’s waders appeared in the same guise as last week’s, with two Black-tailed Godwits visiting Summer Leys LNR on 15th and Jack Snipes again at Hollowell Res, where there were two on 17th and three on 19th, while two were at Ditchford GP on 18th.
An adult Caspian Gull at Hollowell Res on 17th was the only one of its kind during the period, while Yellow-legged Gulls were present at Summer Leys, where there were singles on 15th and 21st, Earls Barton GP with an adult on 18th, Pitsford Res where there were two adults on 20th and Daventry CP, where there was a third-winter on 21st.
The juvenile Great Northern Diver continued its stay at Pitsford until at least 17th.
And what more can we say about the Glossy Ibis, other than it saw out another week at Summer Leys.
New in during the period, though, was a couple of Bitterns – one at Summer Leys on 17th and the other at Daventry CP, showing well for one day only, on 19th. The latter has the prestigious honour of being the first record for the site.
Bittern, Daventry CP, 19th February 2025 (Gary Pullan)Bittern, Daventry CP, 19th February 2025 (Gary Pullan)Bittern, Daventry CP, 19th February 2025 (Bob Bullock)
The Blatherwycke Lake Cattle Egret remained until at least 16th, constituting the sole representative of its tribe this week.
Raptors fared a little better with at least two Marsh Harriers on show – one still roaming Titchmarsh NR and the wider environs of Thrapston GP until 19th, the other at Summer Leys on 18th, with likely the same individual close by at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on 20th.
Marsh Harrier, Summer Leys LNR, 18th February 2025 (Clive Bowley)
A ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier was at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell before flying toward nearby Cottesbrooke on 19th and the week’s only Short-eared Owl was seen at one of the species’ favoured localities, Harrington AF, on the same date.
On the passerine front, new in this week was Siberian Chiffchaff, found where else but at the famous ‘Bridge of Sibes’ – more formally known as bridge K121 – which runs over the processed sewage outflow from Ecton SF into the River Nene. Two were present on 16th with at least one remaining from 17th to 19th.
Siberian Chiffchaff, Ecton SF, 16th February 2025 (Bob Bullock)Siberian Chiffchaff, Ecton SF, 19th February 2025 (Leslie Fox)
Adding further spice to the passerine mix, a male Black Redstart found on farm buildings near Creaton on 20th was the second of the year and, like the first, was at a location with no public access. This week’s Stonechats were to be found at Barnes Meadow NR, Borough Hill, Cogenhoe, Ditchford, Earls Barton, Hollowell and Stanford Res, with a maximum of five at Borough Hill on 15th.
Male Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 18th February 2025 (Leslie Fox)
As we entered the second week of February, the cool, easterly influence carried over from the week before continued to keep temperatures low, while rain remained never too far away, with frequent, sporadic showers. Just what influence this had on the period’s avian mix may well remain the subject of conjecture but, whatever it was, the week kicked off nicely with the discovery of a splendid drake Red-breasted Merganser in the north of the county.
And it would seem that the focus this week was very much on wildfowl, whichever way you cut it, kicking off again with the lone Pink-footed Goose remaining in the thick of it among the sizeable Greylag and Canada Goose flock in the Cogenhoe Mill/Earls Barton GP area.
Pink-footed Goose, Cogenhoe Mill, 14th February 2025 (Mike Alibone)
The same flock clearly proved attractive to more White-fronted Geese, numbers of which had increased to eight by the week’s end, although there were no reports of the previously long-staying two at Ravensthorpe Res during the period.
White-fronted Geese, Earls Barton GP, 14th February 2025 (Leslie Fox)White-fronted Geese, Cogenhoe Mill, 14th February 2025 (Mike Alibone)White-fronted Goose, Cogenhoe Mill, 14th February 2025 (Mike Alibone)White-fronted Goose, Cogenhoe Mill, 14th February 2025 (Mike Alibone)
At Winwick Pools, the female Ruddy Shelduck was still present on 9th but there were no subsequent reports, while the county’s only known Red-crested Pochard, the female at Daventry CP, extended its presence there until at least 12th. And after appearing settled at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR through until the end of the previous week, the drake Ring-necked Duck was nowhere to be seen as the week opened on 8th. It subsequently resurfaced there on 12th, before moving up the Nene Valley to nearby Ringstead GP the following day – after which it again disappeared …
Drake Ring-necked Duck, Ringstead GP, 13th February 2025 (Nick Parker)
There were no reports of the first-winter female Greater Scaup at Blatherwycke Lake during the previous week but there she was again on 9th, remaining on site throughout the period.
First-winter female Scaup, Blatherwycke Lake, 8th February 2025 (James Underwood)First-winter female Scaup, Blatherwycke Lake, 12th February 2025 (Mike Alibone)
And we’re not done with ducks just yet – far from it, in fact – as down in the Nene Valley it was the turn of Clifford Hill GP to offer up something new. Discovered first thing in the morning, the year’s first Common Scoters – three of them – spent the greater part of the day on 9th asleep on the Main Barrage Lake, clearly a short stopover before having moved on by the next day.
Common Scoters, Clifford Hill GP, 9th February 2025 (Mike Alibone)
Clifford Hill also continued to host last week’s drake Smew throughout the period but, saving the best until last, it was a bird which is, arguably, the most flamboyant of its tribe, that left all others in the shade this week. Conjuring up thoughts of a daft punk, a drake Red-breasted Merganser found at Blatherwycke on 9th put on the best show in recent history for this dapper duck in the county. Seemingly oblivious to its many observers, it remained throughout the week, sometimes showing at point-blank range. With just six records over the past five years (none in both 2020 and 2022), Red-breasted Merganser remains a scarce visitor to the county.
Drake Red-breasted Merganser, Blatherwycke Lake, 9th February 2025 (James Underwood)Drake Red-breasted Merganser, Blatherwycke Lake, 9th February 2025 (Phil West)Drake Red-breasted Merganser, Blatherwycke Lake, 9th February 2025 (Bob Bullock)Drake Red-breasted Merganser, Blatherwycke Lake, 9th February 2025 (Bob Bullock)Drake Red-breasted Merganser, Blatherwycke Lake, 9th February 2025 (Alan Coles)Drake Red-breasted Merganser, Blatherwycke Lake, 9th February 2025 (Alan Coles)
The week’s waders comprised a Black-tailed Godwit at Clifford Hill GP on 12th and single Jack Snipes at both Hollowell Res and Stanford Res on 9th, followed by four at the first of these two sites on 11th and two-three at Pitsford Res on 12th.
Scarce gulls remained just that, with an adult Caspian Gull at Clifford Hill on 10th and an adult plus a third-winter at Hollowell the following day. Yellow-legged Gulls were down to single adults at Clifford Hill on 9th-10th, Stanford on 11th and Pitsford on 12th.
Meanwhile, Pitsford retained its long-staying Great Northern Diver throughout the period.
Juvenile Great Northern Diver, Pitsford Res, 14th February 2025 (Tony Stanford)
Summer Leys, too, held on to its Glossy Ibis …
Also hanging on were our now depressed numbers of Cattle Egrets, with single birds at Blatherwycke Lake throughout the week, Ditchford GP on 10th and Stanwick GP the next day, the latter site hosting three on 14th.
Cattle Egret, Blatherwycke Lake, 12th February 2025 (Mike Alibone)
Thrapston GP’s Marsh Harrier continued to be seen intermittently during the period while, similarly, a single Short-eared Owl remained on private land near Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.
Marsh Harrier, Titchmarsh NR, 9th February 2025 (James Underwood)
Passerines continued their backseat ride with two Stonechats apiece at Earls Barton GP on 8th, Hollowell on 9th and Clifford Hill on 11th, while Earls Barton produced three on 14th.
Female Stonechat, Clifford Hill GP, 9th February 2025 (Mike Alibone)
And a single Hawfinch remained at Cottesbrooke on 8th.
A moist and mild, westerly airstream had flipped to a cold easterly by the week’s end but it was the early part of the week that produced the goods, in the shape of a fine drake Ring-necked Duck …
This was, of course, in addition to the ongoing supporting cast of wildfowl we have become familiar with and grown accustomed to seeing since the turn of the year. There was little change in this respect, with the mobile Pink-footed Goose now seemingly more settled in the Cogenhoe Mill/Earls Barton GP area, where the adult White-fronted Goose also saw another week out with the local Greylags. The two long-staying Whitefronts at Ravensthorpe Res also put in another seven days on site.
Pink-footed Goose, Earls Barton GP, 6th February 2025 (Leslie Fox)Adult White-fronted Goose, Cogenhoe, 2nd February 2025 (Leslie Fox)White-fronted Geese, Ravensthorpe Res, 2nd February 2025 (Phil West)Adult White-fronted Goose, Earls Barton GP, 6th February 2025 (Leslie Fox)White-fronted Geese, Ravensthorpe Res, 7th February 2025 (Jon Cook)
Likewise, the female Ruddy Shelduck did another week at Winwick Pools, as did the female Red-crested Pochard at Daventry CP.
Ruddy Shelduck, Winwick Pools, 2nd February 2025 (Phill West)Female Red-crested Pochard, Daventry CP, 3rd February 2025 (Gary Pullan)
Thrapston GP’s reputation for delivering Ring-necked Ducks was upheld and brought into sharp focus this week, though, with the discovery of a splendid drake showing nicely there on 3rd. Bizarrely, despite a thorough search, it was nowhere to be seen the following day but it reappeared on 5th, favouring Heronry Lake until the end of the period.
Drake Ring-necked Duck, Thrapston GP, 3rd February 2025 (Nick Parker)Drake Ring-necked Duck, Thrapston GP, 3rd February 2025 (Bob Bullock)Drake Ring-necked Duck, Thrapston GP, 5th February 2025 (Mike Alibone)Drake Ring-necked Duck, Thrapston GP, 5th February 2025 (Mike Alibone)
Allowing for highly mobile individuals – particularly along the chain of Nene Valley wetlands – this bird would appear to be the 14th county record, Thrapston laying claim to at least four, if not five, of these, including a run of four consecutive years between 2021 and 2024. With some forty individuals currently present across Britain and Ireland, this species has shed its former rarity status, now having been replaced by Lesser Scaup – seen as the ‘new Ring-necked Duck’ – the first of which is eagerly awaited in Northants …
Not as rare but a whole lot smarter, drake Smews were available for the second week running, although with a pronounced tendency to be mobile they were not easy to catch up with. Ravensthorpe again produced one on 1st and one was at Clifford Hill GP on 2nd and 7th. Conceivably, only one bird may have accounted for all three sightings.
Drake Smew, Ravensthorpe Res, 1st February 2025 (Jon Cook)Drake Smew, Clifford Hill GP, 2nd February 2025 (Phil West)
And things were looking up for waders this week with the pick of them coming from Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South), where a Black-tailed Godwit and an unseasonal Common Sandpiper were photographed on 1st and a Greenshank was heard calling in flight on 2nd. As ever, Jack Snipes were also to be found during the period, including one at Stanford Res on 2nd, while twos were at Hollowell Res on 3rd and 6th, at Stanwick GP on 4th and Barnes Meadow NR (Northampton) on 7th.
Numbers of the scarcer gulls were also up, with an adult Caspian Gull at Ravensthorpe, briefly, on 4th, one at Boddington Res the next day and a first-winter at Daventry CP on 7th. Meanwhile, the Yellow-legged Gull collective comprised an adult at Hardingstone GP on 4th, two at Pitsford Res on 5th and a single adult there on 6th-7th.
Pitsford also retained its wintering juvenile Great Northern Diver throughout, interestingly being joined by another, with both birds seen together in Catwalk Bay on 5th.
Juvenile Great Northern Diver, Pitsford Res, 5th February 2025 (Phil West)
Northamptonshire’s longest ever staying Glossy Ibis remained at and around Summer Leys LNR until at least 5th.
The period’s Cattle Egrets were restricted to the one remaining from last week at Blatherwycke Lake on 2nd and two at Stanwick on the same date, followed by three there on 3rd.
And a ‘new’ Marsh Harrier was seemingly taking up temporary residence at Thrapston, where it was present between 4th and 7th, while the one floating around the Summer Leys/Earls Barton area was again seen on the latter date.
Those Short-eared Owls whose whereabouts were disclosed this week included the two on private land near Blueberry Farm, Maidwell between 1st and 5th and one at Harrington AF on 6th – the latter believed to be one of the Blueberry birds, this being based upon a plumage anomaly visible in one of its wings.
With passerines few and far between, Stonechats were seen at Earls Barton, Hollowell, Pitsford and Towcester, with a maximum of four present at the first of these localities on 2nd, while Hawfinches were down to the bare minimum of one, at Cottesbrooke on 5th.
Female Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 5th February 2025 (Leslie Fox)
Well, that’s January done and dusted and, with the birds it produced, as well as the hangers-on, it can be argued that it wasn’t a bad start to the year. The concluding week, while not explosively exciting, did deliver some class birds … in black and white.
There was little change when it came to the week’s geese, all of which appear to be steadfastly tucked in for the winter. At Clifford Hill GP, the Pink-footed Goose extended its stay until at least 29th, as did the two White-fronted Geese at Ravensthorpe Res and the lone adult at Cogenhoe Mill/Earls Barton GP.
White-fronted Geese, Ravensthorpe Res, 29th January 2025 (Jon Cook)Adult White-fronted Goose, Cogenhoe, 29th January 2025 (Leslie Fox)
And let’s not forget the now vintage female Ruddy Shelduck, still at Winwick Pools this week. It has evoked much discussion regarding its origin since its pattern of disappearing in spring and returning in autumn has become established over the last five years or so. While some thoughts on the status of Ruddy Shelduck in Northants and the UK in general are given here, we await the final conclusion from what seems to have become a rather long-winded, ongoing national review, after which birds from the large feral population in central Europe could become acceptable as vagrants from an external established population and added to Category C. We’ll see …
Female Ruddy Shelduck, Winwick Pools, 26th January 2025 (Jim Urwin)
Not batting any eyelids anytime soon, the female Red-crested Pochard remained at Daventry CP until at least 29th. Also making it into the week once again was the first-winter female Greater Scaup, still present at Blatherwycke Lake on 26th, while an adult drake put in a brief appearance at Pitsford Res on 30th but was no longer on offer to those who looked the following day.
First-winter female Greater Scaup, Blatherwycke Lake, 26th January 2025 (James Underwood)
Indisputably topping the charts this week, though, were the two drake Smews found at Ravensthorpe on 29th. After one there on 12th, which had gone in a flash, found in the morning, this dynamic duo saw the day out, providing more than ample views and the opportunity for those with time on their hands to catch up with them. Alas, they had departed by the following day. Back in the day – and we’re talking ‘70s and 80’s – Ravensthorpe was the place for Smew, uncannily always turning up on the north-west side of the causeway in the same manner as this week’s birds.
Drake Smew, Ravensthorpe Res, 29th January 2025 (Jon Cook)Drake Smew, Ravensthorpe Res, 29th January 2025 (Bob Bullock)Drake Smew, Ravensthorpe Res, 29th January 2025 (Bob Bullock)Drake Smew, Ravensthorpe Res, 29th January 2025 (Mike Alibone)Drake Smew, Ravensthorpe Res, 29th January 2025 (Mike Alibone)
A single Jack Snipe in the same place at Stanford Res on 28th and 31st served to keep this week’s waders afloat.
And the same can be said with regard to gulls – a single adult Yellow-legged Gull at Clifford Hill GP on 25th was the sole representative of their type during the period.
Once again, Pitsford retained its long-staying Great Northern Diver throughout.
The Summer Leys Glossy Ibis, too, remained in place, frequently commuting between the reserve and nearby fields close to the River Nene.
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 28th January 2025 (Leslie Fox)
Cattle Egrets continued to be seen, this week branching out to Blatherwycke Lake, where one – likely to be a site first – was present on 26th. Two remained faithful to the sheep field and surrounding area close to Stanwick GP’s North Lake until at least 29th and one flew west over the A45 toward this area on the latter date.
Cattle Egret, Blatherwycke Lake, 26th January 2025 (James Underwood)
The mid-Nene Marsh Harrier was again seen over Summer Leys on 27th.
So far this winter, Short-eared Owls have not been as easy to connect with as they have been in the past. A combination of some observers keeping shtum and others playing the ‘private land’ card continues to contribute to this, understandably so in the light of increasing disturbance to this hugely popular species by those keen to get up close and personal. So, like last week and the week before, they were again to be found in the Maidwell locale with two to the west, on private land near Blueberry Farm on 29th-31st, and one to the east, at Harrington AF on 25th-28th. One flew over the A45 Wilby roundabout on 26th and three were also at an undisclosed locality in the north of the county, apparently having been regularly present in recent weeks.
The period’s only Merlin was a female in flight over Milton Malsor on 31st.
And Stonechats were seemingly reduced to singles at Clifford Hill on 25th, Ditchford GP on 26th and Hollowell Res on 30th, while two were still at Earls Barton GP on the first of these dates.
Female Stonechat, Hollowell Res, 30th January 2025 (Jon Cook)
After a lull in records, Hawfinches were back on this week, with one at Holy Trinity Churchyard, Blatherwycke on 25th and two at Cottesbrooke on 29th and 31st.
January was deemed, back in the day, to be the only ‘migration-free’ month of the year and this third week reflected just that. With very little winter movement evident, the focus was as much on the long-stayers as on anything else and new birds were at a premium …
Continuing to sit tight at Clifford Hill GP, the Pink-footed Goose remained throughout while, just down the Nene Valley, the single adult White-fronted Goose also extended its stay with the growing gaggle of Greylags between Cogenhoe and Earls Barton GP until at least 22nd.
Pink-footed Goose, Clifford Hill GP, 23rd January 2025 (Mike Alibone)Adult White-fronted Goose, Earls Barton GP, 21st January 2025 (Leslie Fox)
Now occurring with increasing frequency, Whooper Swan again made it onto the week’s menu on 18th, when two flew west over Greens Norton, followed by one on 21st at Summer Leys, the latter rapidly moving on to the adjacent waters of Earls Barton GP’s Hardwater Lake.
It seems hard to believe that, given it’s mid-winter, numbers of scarce ducks are at rock bottom – the best on offer being the female Red-crested Pochard at Daventry CP and the first-winter female Greater Scaup at Blatherwycke Lake, both still present on 20th. A hybrid adult drake Pochard x Tufted Duck provided some passing interest at Clifford Hill on 21st.
First-winter female Greater Scaup, Blatherwycke Lake, 18th January 2025 (James Underwood)
On the wader front, single Jack Snipes were at Barnes Meadow LNR on 19th and 22nd and at Ditchford GP on 21st, while two were at Pitsford Res on 20th.
And gulls included the usual suspects: an adult Caspian Gull in the roost at Stanford Res between 18th and 23rd and two adults at Clifford Hill on 19th, while the only Yellow-legged Gull to be had was an adult at Pitsford on 19th.
Pitsford also retained its long-staying Great Northern Diver until at least 22nd.
Also hanging on, the Summer Leys Glossy Ibis chalked up another week at and around the reserve. A little less easy to pin down, though, were the week’s Cattle Egrets, one of which flew west over Ditchford GP on 21st, while two were in and around a sheep field next to Stanwick GP’s North Lake the following day.
Cattle Egret, Stanwick GP, 22nd January 2025 (Mike Alibone)
A Marsh Harrier seen at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on 18th seems likely to have accounted for the subsequent appearance of one at Summer Leys on 22nd-23rd.
And, just like last week, Short-eared Owls remained the preserve of the Maidwell locale with one to the west, on private land near Blueberry Farm on 20th, and the other to the east, at Harrington AF on 22nd.
The period’s Merlins were limited to a female reported between Abthorpe and Wappenham on 18th and a male in the seemingly regular site that is the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton, on 22nd.
The latter site, along with Clifford Hill, Ditchford, Earls Barton, Harrington, Pitsford and Sulby all produced the week’s run of Stonechats, the maximum count of which was four at Pitsford on 20th.
Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 21st January 2025 (Leslie Fox)
Northants birds 