The week kicked off with Storm Bert, which effectively put paid to any local birding for two days, as well as failing to deliver any much anticipated wrecked seabirds. But with the appearance of a showy Great Northern Diver and the first – and likely last – Bewick’s Swan of the year, the week certainly did not fall flat.
Pink-footed Geese continued to feature, too, with single birds accompanying local Greylags at Wicksteed Park Lake on 25th and at Pitsford Res on 27th-29th.
Pink-footed Goose, Pitsford Res, 29th November 2024 (James Underwood)
With no Whooper Swans for the first time in a while, the slot was filled with the welcome sight of a Bewick’s Swan at Stanford Res on the afternoon of 28th. Located only an hour before darkness fell, it provided little opportunity to connect with, having departed by the following morning.
Adult Bewick’s Swan, Stanford Res, 28th November 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
The majority of last week’s Red-crested Pochards appeared to have melted away, leaving just two at Stanford Res on 26th.
And the highlight of the week’s waders was a locally unseasonal Bar-tailed Godwit that paid a brief visit to Summer Leys LNR on 29th, while two Jack Snipes at Daventry CP on 26th were the only ones of their kind during the period.
Gulls formed another group significantly down in numbers, with just one Mediterranean Gull – a first-winter – in the Stanford roost on 27th. Caspian Gulls consisted of an adult at Hollowell Res on 25th, a first-winter at Daventry on 26th and an adult in the gull roost at Pitsford, along with the regular adult Yellow-legged Gull, on 28th.
Adult Caspian Gull, Pitsford Res, 28th November 2024 (Mike Alibone)
Following one at Clifford Hill GP, present on the Main Barrage Lake only in the early mornings of 25th and 26th before flying off, a Great Northern Diver was found on the latter date at Pitsford. Considered to be a different bird, it remained to see the week out, providing all comers with some splendidly rewarding views. November has proven to be a classic month for arrivals and these are only the second and third of the year, the first also having been at Pitsford between November 2023 and January 2024.
Great Northern Diver, Clifford Hill GP, 26th November 2024 (Tyler Atkinson)Great Northern Diver, Clifford Hill GP, 26th November 2024 (Tyler Atkinson)Great Northern Diver, Clifford Hill GP, 26th November 2024 (Tyler Atkinson)Juvenile Great Northern Diver, Pitsford Res, 28th November 2024 (Mike Alibone)Juvenile Great Northern Diver, Pitsford Res, 28th November 2024 (Mike Alibone)Juvenile Great Northern Diver, Pitsford Res, 28th November 2024 (Mike Alibone)
Slipping well down from its once headline-making position, the Summer Leys Glossy Ibis saw out another week on the reserve, having now chalked up 70 days on site. Summer Leys also produced a Cattle Egret on 28th, while up to three remained on the farm immediately north-east of Ringstead GP at the week’s end.
And raptors? A ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier in flight over Gleneagles, Wellingborough on 29th was all the period could muster, unfortunately.
But things looked a little better as far as Short-eared Owls were concerned with, up on last week’s total, two near Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 26th and one there on 27th, followed by singles in the Brampton Valley on the latter date and at Harrington AF on 29th.
The female Bearded Tit remained at Stanwick GP and was still present on 29th.
Stonechats were present Duston, Earls Barton GP, Harrington, Hollowell, Pitsford, Summer Leys and Upton CP with no more than two at any one site.
Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 29th November 2024 (Leslie Fox)
And Hawfinches continued to be seen at last week’s two key localities of Blatherwycke and Cottesbrooke, with the first of these holding four on 26th and one on 28th and the latter with three on 26th and two on 29th.
A substantial freezing air mass sliding down from the Arctic brought us the first taste of winter this week, delivering sub-zero temperatures and snow showers which, although settling in some areas, were mercifully short-lived. And riding the wave of all this came the first Kittiwakes of the year …
Continuing the trend in their increase in occurrence, however, were Pink-footed Geese. Although not matching last week’s impressive numbers, eighteen flew east over Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh LNR on 16th, the same date on which one dropped in briefly at Deene Lake, while seven flew east over Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 20th.
Pink-footed Goose, Deene Lake, 16th November 2024 (James Underwood)
Whooper Swans also continued to move through with a small herd of two adults and four juveniles flying north along the Nene Valley at Oundle on 17th.
The same four localities as last week produced the period’s Red-crested Pochards, the maximum number being four at Blatherwycke Lake on 16th. Stanford Res held on to at least two throughout, while Kislingbury GP’s female also remained settled and the Pitsford Res drake was still present on 19th. Blatherwycke also retained its first-winter female Greater Scaup until at least 16th.
This week’s waders were limited to just one Jack Snipe, at Summer Leys, on 16th.
A first-winter Kittiwake off the dam at Pitsford on the afternoon of 18th, quickly joined by another and then a further five was, surprisingly, the first of the year so far in the county. All seven left high to the south in the fading light but Pitsford’s exclusivity for this species was short-lived as, away to the north-west, Stanford was enjoying its own first-winter which dropped into the gull roost before similarly disappearing.
Adult Kittiwake, Pitsford Res, 18th November 2024 (Bob Bullock)First-winter Kittiwake, Pitsford Res, 18th November 2024 (Bob Bullock)
The following evening saw an adult visiting the Boddington roost, further adding to the week’s total, all of which played their part in a wider influx across England, including birds in the neighbouring counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire.
Adult Kittiwake, Boddington Res, 19th November 2024 (Gary Pullan)
While Kittiwakes are no strangers to Northamptonshire in November, they are far more frequently encountered on passage in early spring, most records in that period being of single birds.
Flocks, on the other hand, are more likely in autumn, the largest of which was in excess of twenty at Ditchford GP way back on 12th November 1972 and, more recently, approximately twenty at Pitsford on 13th October 2014.
With the above having provided a momentary, though welcome, distraction for regular gull roost watchers, more standard fare was on offer in the form Mediterranean Gulls at Stanford, where a second-winter was present on 17th and 20th plus a first-winter on 19th, while Boddington Res dished up an adult on 22nd. These two bodies of water also produced all but one of the week’s Caspian Gulls, with an adult and a second-winter at Stanford on 16th and an adult there on 17th and 20th-21st. Boddington’s roost also held an adult on 19th. Bucking the trend, however, was an adult found on the small lake at Cottesbrooke Hall on 16th.
Adult Caspian Gull, Cottesbrooke, 16th November 2024 (Tyler Atkinson)
Small numbers of Yellow-legged Gulls across the board included an adult at Sywell CP on 16th, two in the Boddington roost on 19th and 22nd and single adults at Pitsford on 19th and at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on 21st.
After going unreported since 13th, the Glossy Ibis was back at Summer Leys on 22nd, while this week’s Bitterns were the preserve of Titchmarsh LNR, where one was seen on 16th and 19th. Cattle Egrets maintained a low profile with single birds at Titchmarsh 16th, Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows LNR on 18th and seven in a cattle field immediately north-east of, and viewable from, Kinewell Lake at Ringstead GP on 19th.
And as for raptors, they were in short supply during the period. After an impressive showing last week, Hen Harriers were off the scene completely, while a single Marsh Harrier continued to visit Summer Leys between 17th and 22nd after what was presumably the same individual seen at adjacent Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on 16th.
Marsh Harrier Summer Leys LNR, 20th November 2024 (Alan Coles)
Single Short-eared Owls were seen just prior to dusk at Nobottle on 16th and at Harrington AF on 18th.
After no reports since 10th, the female Bearded Tit at least appeared still to be present on site at Stanwick on 19th.
Female Bearded Tit, Stanwick GP, 19th November 2024 (Steve Fisher)
Seen only at four sites compared to nine last week, another species seeing a drop in numbers over the period was Stonechat, of which three were at Earls Barton on 16th and Pitsford on 20th, while singles were also present at Summer Leys and Upton CP.
Male Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 22nd November 2024 (Leslie Fox)
Following the county’s first of the year last week, another ‘in flight’ Rock Pipit was seen and heard over Daventry on 22nd, constituting another bizarrely late record.
And even though they were still out there to be found, the level of attention given to Hawfinches waned markedly during the period, compared to that of the previous week.
Hawfinch, Cottesbrooke, 16th November 2024 (Tyler Atkinson)
Just the two key localities of Blatherwycke and Cottesbrooke produced all of this week’s birds with the first of the these holding eight on 16th, five on 18th and 20th and two on 22nd, while the latter held three on 16th, five on 17th and one on 18th.
An area of high pressure sitting over the country provided a little light relief, weatherwise, helping to lift the birding spirits somewhat. An upturn in the numbers of larger wildfowl, a late trickle of interesting waders and the continued presence of local Hen Harriers ensured there was enough out there to be going on with. But the week belonged to Hawfinches. They were out there to be both found and savoured at a number of sites for anyone willing to invest a little time and effort watching and waiting …
But we kick off first and foremost with some impressive numbers of Pink-footed Geese moving through the county during the period. Aside from one found with Greylags at Earls Barton GP on 10th, approximately thirty were watched flying north-east over Deene on 12th, the same date seeing sixty moving north-west over Moulton, while a skein of sixty-three flew high east over Oundle on 15th. And the chances are we could be seeing more of these relatively large flocks in the future as figures published by the BTO reveal that the UK wintering population has been steadily growing, having almost doubled during the 25-year period 1997 to 2022.
More Whooper Swans were on the week’s menu with the 9th seeing eight adults at Blatherwycke Lake and a single adult flying east over Earls Barton GP and, minutes later, over Summer Leys. Four were subsequently found at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh LNR on 14th. In common with Pink-footed Goose, the wintering population in the UK has increased significantly, having more than tripled during the aforementioned quarter century, this being reflected in the number being found locally in recent years.
Whooper Swans, Blatherwycke Lake, 10th November 2024 (James Underwood)
The itinerant female Ruddy Shelduck was seen in flight over Stanford Res on 11th and back at Winwick Pools on 13th, while numbers of, and localities for, Red-crested Pochards diminished this week. Stanford held on to two until at least 12th, two drakes visited Blatherwycke Lake on 9th, one was at Pitsford on 11th and the female remained at Kislingbury GP until at least 12th.
Red-crested Pochards, Blatherwycke Lake, 10th November 2024 (James Underwood)
Last week’s first-winter female Greater Scaup was seen again at Blatherwycke Lake on 13th and 15th following an unconfirmed report of a Common Scoter there on 9th.
First-winter female Greater Scaup, Blatherwycke Lake, 13th November 2024 (Mike Alibone)
The week proved surprisingly good for waders. Are we really on the cusp of mid-November? First up was a Grey Plover found with the small Golden Plover flock at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on 9th. Only the fifth record for the year following spring birds at Clifford Hill GP, Stanwick GP and Summer Leys. It did not stay. A Turnstone spent the afternoon at Summer Leys on 10th, similarly having moved on by the next day and a Knot dropped in at Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes & Meadows NR, also on 10th. Ditchford also produced a Jack Snipe on 12th and two were located via thermal imaging at Stanford on the same date.
Jack Snipe, Stanford Res, 12th November 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
In the same vein as in recent weeks it was local gull roosts which produced the vast majority of the period’s scarce gulls. Mediterranean Gulls were down to an adult and a first-winter at Daventry CP on 9th and an adult at Stanford on the same date, followed by a first-winter there the next day. The Boddington roost produced an apparent adult Mediterranean Gull x Common Gull hybrid on 12th.
Apart from an adult at Hollowell Res on 12th, Boddington and Stanford carved up the week’s Caspian Gulls between them, the first-named holding an adult and a first-winter on 12th-13th and two adults and a first-winter on 14th. Stanford produced single adults on 9th and 13th, two adults on 12th, a second-winter on 10th and a first-winter on 14th.
First-winter Caspian Gull, Stanford Res, 14th November 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
With regard to Yellow-legged Gulls, Boddington held at least five between 12th and 14th, while daytime singles were found at Ditchford GP on 10th, Summer Leys on 11th, Earls Barton GP on 12th, Clifford Hill GP on 13th and the regular Pitsford adult remained throughout the week.
An interesting week for the Summer Leys Glossy Ibis. It was seen only until 13th, after which there were no further reports. Single Bitterns were again present at Stanwick on 9th and 14th and at Titchmarsh LNR on 10th and 14th, while Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows was responsible for producing the week’s only Cattle Egrets, with eight there on 10th.
Marsh Harriers continued to be seen at Summer Leys and within the Earls Barton GP complex generally, with at least two individuals present on 9th-10th. However, they were considerably outnumbered by Hen Harriers – some apparently new birds making their debut on the scene while others were clearly hanging on from last week. Falling into the latter category, the popular ‘ringtail’ continued to hunt the New Workings (South) area of Earls Barton GP daily until 12th, after which there were no further reports. Last week’s male at Bozenham Mill also remained until 10th, while ‘new’ males appeared near Staverton on 10th and over Summer Leys on 14th and another ‘ringtail’ was seen in the Brampton Valley/Blueberry Farm area on 11th. It would be tempting to believe we are in for a good winter for this iconic raptor.
Hen Harrier, Earls Barton GP, 10th November 2024 (Adrian Leybourne)
Merlins remained scarce, however, with a female/immature seen in flight over Lilbourne Meadows NR on 11th and a male in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 13th.
Last week’s two Bearded Tits remained at Stanwick until 10th, when they were last seen departing high to the east.
Female Bearded Tit, Stanwick GP, 9th November 2024 (Paul Young)
Stonechats were found at nine localities which included Clifford Hill GP, Earls Barton GP, Hollowell Res, Kislingbury GP, Lilbourne Meadows, Pitsford, Stanford, Sywell CP and Towcester – with the highest counts of five at Earls Barton GP on 10th and four at Sywell CP on 15th.
Male Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 14th November 2024 (Leslie Fox)
The penultimate day of the period produced a Rock Pipit – albeit only in flight – over Stanford’s dam. Thin on the ground in Northamptonshire these days, it comes as almost no surprise that this is the only record for the year in the county.
But attracting the most attention by a country mile this week were those big-billed bruisers of the finch world … Yes, Hawfinches were clocked at a good nine locations with, as last week, Cottesbrooke as the standout site, pulling the punters daily throughout the period. Two to three birds were very much the norm per diem but eight on 13th proved the highest total.
Hawfinch, Cottesbrooke, 14th November 2024 (Mike Alibone)Hawfinch, Cottesbrooke, 15th November 2024 (Leslie Fox)
So, how did the other sites match up? The churchyard at Blatherwycke was another productive viewing point with birds present on three dates, which included a respectable maximum of six on 14th.
Male Hawfinch, Blatherwycke, 14th November 2024 (Howard Butler)
A few miles to the east, Southwick Hall grounds produced at least five on 15th, with Short Wood just along the road holding four on 13th. Four were also still to be found in St Peter’s Churchyard at Deene on 12th, dropping to two there the following day, while twos were seen over Stanford Res on 13th, and at both Long Croft Road, Corby and St Peter’s Churchyard, Oundle on 14th. Singles were seen at Lamport Hall on 9th and at Eurohub, Corby on 13th.
Dull, dreary and leniently mild, with light winds off the continent and temperatures above average for the time of year, this week’s weather was anything but inspiring. But it was far from doom and gloom on the birding front as November began to shape up nicely from the get-go, kicking off with some select species which had, to date, managed to evade all but the lucky few earlier in the year.
The first of these was a Dark-bellied Brent Goose found on 4th at Clifford Hill GP, the same site laying claim to the year’s only previous record of a decently-sized flock of sixteen – albeit very briefly – on 12th March. In a similar vein, this week’s bird chose not to stick around and had departed by the following day.
Adult Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Clifford Hill GP, 4th November 2024 (Mike Alibone)
Clifford Hill GP, also known latterly as ‘Northampton Washlands’, has established a knack for pulling them in and, offering the largest slice of the Brent Goose pie, is the best place by far for a chance encounter in early spring or late autumn.
Other geese were, of course, available and a respectable skein of approximately twenty Pink-footed Geese was watched flying north over Pitsford Res on 2nd, while singles included one in flight with Greylags over Stanwick GP on 3rd and the sporadic visitor to Stanford Res there again on 8th.
Stanford’s admirable run of Whooper Swans extended to another week when three adults and four juveniles dropped in together on 2nd. Staying long enough for a photoshoot, they departed shortly after being found. Coincidentally, or not, seven were seen flying east over Clifford Hill just under an hour later.
Whooper Swans, Stanford Res, 2nd November 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
The female Ruddy Shelduck remained at Winwick Pools, where it was seen on 4th and 8th, while Red-crested Pochards became more widespread this week with the largest number of six remaining at Stanford throughout. Nine further localities produced smaller numbers which included five at Stortons GP on 7th, single drakes at Blatherwycke Lake from 2nd until at least 5th, Thrapston GP on 2nd and Pitsford on 5th, the first-winter drake still at Boddington Res until at least 7th, twos at Clifford Hill on 5th, Stanwick on 7th and Ditchford GP on 8th and a female at Kislingbury GP on the last of these dates.
Red-crested Pochards, Stortons GP, 7th November 2024 (Tony Stanford)
A female Greater Scaup visited Blatherwycke Lake on 5th.
Proving its worth once again, Clifford Hill attracted five Avocets which, although seemingly unsettled, remained throughout the day on 4th. This was only the sixth county record of the year and a decent flock size to boot, following four there on 7th September.
Avocets, Clifford Hill GP, 4th November 2024 (Mike Alibone)Avocets, Clifford Hill GP, 4th November 2024 (Tyler Atkinson)
And sealing its eminence as this week’s standout locality, Clifford Hill went on to produce a Knot, also on 4th. This was only the third for the county in 2024 after the first – a one-day bird which also turned up there in March – and the second, which circled Stanford Res without landing, the previous morning of the 3rd. The Clifford Hill individual was still present on 6th and another, or the same, visited Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes & Meadows NR briefly on 7th.
Knot, Clifford Hill GP, 4th November 2024 (Mike Alibone)
Four sites produced Mediterranean Gulls, Boddington Res holding the maximum of three (an adult and two first-winters) in its roost on 4th and an adult only on 6th-7th. The Stanford roost produced an adult and a first-winter on 2nd, a second-winter on 3rd and an adult again on 8th, while a first-winter visited Hollowell Res on 4th and two first-winters were in a pre-roost at Daventry CP the following day.
Adult Mediterranean Gull, Stanford Res, 8th November 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
Caspian Gulls were also found at four localities with, again, the Boddington roost producing the highest numbers of five on 6th, three on 4th and two on 7th. Stanford’s roost held an adult on 3rd and a second-winter on 8th and single adults were found at Wicksteed Park Lakes on 3rd and at Hollowell on 4th and 8th. Similarly, Boddington pulled in double figures of Yellow-legged Gulls, the roost count maxing out with at least twelve on 4th and 7th, while smaller numbers included two at Winwick Pools on 4th and singles on various dates throughout the period at Clifford Hill, Pitsford and Stanford.
Adult Yellow-legged Gull, Clifford Hill GP, 4th November 2024 (Mike Alibone)
There’s little to be said about the Summer Leys Glossy Ibis, which remained on site for another full week, while Bitterns and Cattle Egrets were the sole preserve of Stanwick, with two of the former on 4th and eight of the latter on 3rd and 7th.
Just one, or maybe two, Marsh Harrier(s) were seen during the period with sightings almost daily from the Summer Leys enclave and the wider area of Earls Barton GP. However, it turned out to be another good seven days for Hen Harriers, the previous week’s ‘ringtail’ at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) now appearing settled, regularly showing well to all comers, daily, throughout the week. The same locality produced a fly-through male on 5th and another male was seen at Ashton and over fields south of nearby Bozenham Mill on 7th, while the latter date also saw another ‘ringtail’ at Harrington AF.
Hen Harrier, Earls Barton GP, 4th November 2024 (Alan Coles)Hen Harrier, Earls Barton GP, 4th November 2024 (Alan Coles)Hen Harrier, Earls Barton GP, 4th November 2024 (Tyler Atkinson)
The number of Short-eared Owls also increased with single birds at Harrington on 2nd and 5th-7th and at both Clifford Hill GP and Stanford Res on 5th.
A male Merlin was found at Harrington on 4th.
And, surprisingly, the first 2024 Bearded Tits appeared at Stanwick GP, where two were first seen on 5th and remained until the week’s end.
Male Bearded Tit, Stanwick GP, 5th November (Bob Bullock)
The run of Yellow-browed Warblers continued with one briefly in a Kettering garden on 5th and another – or the same – reported between Wicksteed Park Lakes and Barton Seagrave two days later, on 7th.
In the west of the county, proving its worth not just for gulls, Boddington produced a first-winter Ring Ouzel in an off-site adjacent hedgerow on 6th, while a Black Redstart spent at least three days in Braunston, at a site with no public access, between 4th and 6th. Stonechats were recorded from Earls Barton, Hollowell, Lilbourne Meadows NR, Pitsford, Stanford and Summer Leys, with a maximum site count of four at Hollowell on 4th.
Male Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 4th November 2024 (Tyler Atkinson)Female Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 5th November 2024 (Alan Coles)
And Hawfinches continued to be found at various sites across the county, with Cottesbrooke proving the most reliable location for catching up with them. Here they were recorded on a daily basis with a maximum of three or four present on 6th. Elsewhere, from high to low, nine flew south-south-east over Boddington on 4th, five were mobile around Welton on 8th, three were again in Thenford Churchyard on 2nd and the same number flew south over Hanging Houghton on 5th and three were also in St Peter’s Churchyard, Deene on 7th. Blatherwycke churchyard produced two on 3rd and one on 5th and two were found at Lamport Hall on 8th.
Hawfinch, Blatherwycke, 3rd November 2024 (James Underwood)
Single Crossbills flew over both Hollowell and Cottesbrooke on 3rd.
The week’s weather, being somewhat bland, appeared to have little influence on the birds turning up during the period but that’s not to say it was uneventful. Quite the contrary, in fact, with the first Red-throated Diver for sixteen years stealing the show, one or two more Yellow-browed Warblers – now seemingly attracting scant attention – and a trickle of Hawfinches beginning to elicit interest as a national ‘invasion’ appears to be well underway …
There was little new on the wildfowl front, however, with the Pink-footed Goose continuing to visit Stanford Res, where it was seen on 26th-27th and again on 30th. Last week’s adult Whooper Swan also remained there, visiting surrounding farmland, until 30th, while two more dropped in briefly on 27th. Pitsford Res also got in on the act, producing a single bird north of the causeway on 28th, followed by four flying north on 1st.
Adult Whooper Swan, Stanford Res 26th October 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
The Ruddy Shelduck also reappeared at Stanford on 26th before moving back to Winwick Pools on 28th-29th.
Female Ruddy Shelduck, Winwick Pools, 28th October 2024 (James Urwin)
Stanford continued to produce the largest share of the period’s Red-crested Pochards, the week opening with seven and closing on six, while the first-winter drake remained at Boddington Res until at least 31st and two were found at Pitsford the next day, on 1st.
In the absence of any notable waders, numbers of the scarcer gulls were about par for the course, with an adult Mediterranean Gull in the roost at Boddington on 31st and a first-winter joining the Stanford roost on 1st. Caspian Gulls widened their reach to four reservoirs, the roost at Boddington holding an adult on 31st and two adults the following evening. Two adults were again at Hollowell on 31st, while single adults were found at both Pitsford and Stanford on 1st. Once again, Boddington produced the week’s highest numbers of Yellow-legged Gulls in its roost, seven on 31st rising to nine the following evening. Elsewhere, singles visited Clifford Hill GP and Summer Leys LNR on 26th and 27th, respectively, two were found at Winwick Pools on 29th, one was at Pitsford on 31st-1st and Stanford held one on 31st and two on 1st.
And just to prove that autumn is far from running out of steam, a smart juvenile Red-throated Diver surfaced at Boddington on the last day of October. It remained for barely five hours following its discovery, having upped sticks and left well before the afternoon was out. Being the first one in Northamptonshire for sixteen years, this species is now verging on mega status in the county, following a short-term run of records in 2002, 2005, 2006-07 and 2008.
Juvenile Red-throated Diver, Boddington Res, 31st October 2024 (Gary Pullan)Juvenile Red-throated Diver, Boddington Res, 31st October 2024 (Gary Pullan)Juvenile Red-throated Diver, Boddington Res, 31st October 2024 (Bob Bullock)Juvenile Red-throated Diver, Boddington Res, 31st October 2024 (Bob Bullock)Juvenile Red-throated Diver, Boddington Res, 31st October 2024 (Mike Alibone)Juvenile Red-throated Diver, Boddington Res, 31st October 2024 (Mike Alibone)
Looking like it’s in for the long haul and continuing to offer interest and delight, the Summer Leys Glossy Ibis had notched up six full weeks by the end of the period.
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 27th October 2024 (Bob Bullock)Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 29th October 2024 (Mike Alibone)
Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh LNR produced the week’s only Bittern on 26th and Stanwick GP the only Cattle Egrets, with eight there on 1st.
While single Marsh Harriers continued to be seen in the Nene Valley – at Titchmarsh LNR on 26th and at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on 30th, it was the latter locality that delivered a ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier, seemingly having taken a liking to the area, being seen there on the afternoons of 28th, 30th and 1st. An adult male Hen Harrier was present briefly in the Brampton Valley, between Brixworth and Cottesbrooke, before flying north-west on 1st.
A Short-eared Owl was found at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 30th.
And records continue to be broken as far as Yellow-browed Warblers are concerned, with one reported again at Stanford Res on 26th, while another was found in an area of willows along the Grand Union Canal, between Grafton Regis and Bozenham Mill, on 30th-31st. Perhaps we will be in line for more wintering birds over the next few months …
With no more than two at any one location, Stonechats continued to be seen across the county at Clifford Hill GP, Earls Barton GP, Grafton Regis, Pitsford, Stanford and Thrapston GP.
Stonechat, Deenethorpe AF, 28th October 2024 (James Underwood)Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 1st November 2024 (Leslie Fox)
And as we leave October behind and thoughts turn to what the last month of autumn and the forthcoming winter may bring, it has been widely recognised that we are now well into an invasion of Hawfinches at a national level. Events now unfolding show a marked similarity to the historic influx of 2017-18, with records during the last half of October coming from nudging two hundred sites across England. Following one at Dallington Cemetery, Northampton on 5th October, the week just gone saw a trickle of birds with one flying over Byfield on 30th and, on 1st, five over Harrington AF, three in Thenford churchyard and two or three at Cottesbrooke. These last two sites proved reliable for connecting with long-stayers during the last influx.
Hawfinch, Cottesbrooke, 1st November 2024 (Jon Cook)
So, when will the trickle develop into a torrent? Checking out a churchyard or two could prove fruitful if, as they so often are, planted with Yew trees, a favoured food source. As a heads up, here’s a list of locations they were seen at during the last autumn/winter invasion in 2017-18.
Not quite falling into the same iconic category as the above, but a smart finch, nonetheless, is Crossbill – some twenty of which flew over Brackmills Industrial Estate, Northampton on 30th, while three briefly visited Cottesbrooke churchyard on 1st.
A Corn Bunting – only the second of the year, following one in the Brampton Valley in August – was seen between Grafton Regis and Bozenham Mill on 30th.
The week kicked off with Storm Ashley, of which we were on the periphery and, while hopes were high for a wrecked seabird or two, there was no such luck, with the short term occurrence of a Shag the day after seemingly coincidental. Otherwise, it was down to another Yellow-browed Warbler – amongst other fare – to keep the autumn pot bubbling …
Stanford Res was the locality for producing the majority of this week’s wildfowl with, once again, what was presumably the same bird as last week’s Pink-footed Goose dropping in on 19th-20th. A new adult Whooper Swan also appeared there on 21st remaining until 25th, although it was not seen on 23rd.
Adult Whooper Swan, Stanford Res, 22nd October 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
Following its absence from Stanford, where it was last seen on 9th September, the female Ruddy Shelduck was relocated at its recently favoured winter haunt, Winwick Pools on 24th, after having visited Ravensthorpe Res on 15th and 22nd September.
Female Ruddy Shelduck, Winwick Pools, 24th October 2024 (James Urwin)
Aside from the first-winter drake at Boddington Res, where it remained until at least 24th and a drake at Pitsford Res on 21st, the period’s Red-crested Pochards had peaked at no more than five at Stanford by the week’s end.
After some absence, waders were back on the menu – albeit on a very short term basis – with a Black-tailed Godwit at Elton GP and a fleetingly late Wood Sandpiper at Summer Leys LNR, both on 23rd. Prime wader habitat remains at a premium, however.
More Mediterranean Gulls appeared on the scene during the period, doubling last week’s total (which wasn’t difficult). Boddington’s first-winter continued to appear there in the roost intermittently until 22nd, with an adult gracing the Stanford roost on the latter date, while Summer Leys delivered a second-winter on 23rd and a first-winter on 25th.
Numbers of Caspian Gulls were limited to an adult and a first-winter in the Boddington roost on 22nd-23rd and two adults at Hollowell Res on 24th. Yellow-legged Gulls fared better, pushing into double figures at Boddington where the roost produced up to twelve on 22nd-23rd. Elsewhere, three were at Summer Leys on 23rd, followed by two there on 25th, while single adults were seen at Pitsford Res on 21st and Clifford Hill GP on 24th.
Adult Yellow-legged Gull, Pitsford Res, 21st October 2024 (Mike Alibone)
Often turning up in remarkably calm conditions, so unlikely to be weather-related, new in for 2024 was a juvenile Shag at Ravensthorpe on 21st. Unfortunately, it failed to stick and show, being subjected to disturbance by fishing boats shortly after its discovery. Shag is a near-annual visitor having been recorded in fourteen out of the last twenty years.
The same cannot be said with regard to Glossy Ibis, for which the opposite applies in both instances. It’s still a local and national rarity but in the current circumstances the Summer Leys bird has further extended its stay by another seven days to five weeks, frequently showing well to all comers.
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 24th October 2024 (Alan Coles)
This week it was the turn of Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh LNR to produce the period’s Bittern sightings, with one on 21st and 23rd and two on 24th. A cattle field adjacent to nearby Ringstead GP continued to prove attractive to Cattle Egrets, the week starting with two there on 19th, increasing to six on 20th and finishing with two again on 25th. Three were also found in a field west of Chacombe in south-west Northants on 19th.
Back at Titchmarsh, one of the week’s two Marsh Harriers was seen on 21st, Summer Leys enjoying one on the same date, while last week’s Hen Harrier at Stanford also made it into this week on 19th.
Juvenile female Hen Harrier, Stanford Res, 19th October 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
It’s been quiet at Harrington AF for some time now but, following the autumn’s first Short-eared Owl there on 3rd, another – or perhaps the same – was present this week on 19th. October is a prime month for the movement of this species through the UK.
Short-eared Owl, Harrington AF, 19th October 2024 (Steve Pugh)
And as for passerines? Stanford, ever effervescent as Northamptonshire’s premier ringing site – and thank the gods it’s on our side of the county boundary – did it again this week with another Yellow-browed Warbler out of the nets on 23rd, quickly followed by a Firecrest the next day. What else might be in the offing there before the autumn’s out?
Yellow-browed Warbler, Stanford Res, 23rd October 2024 (Chris Hubbard)Male Firecrest, Stanford Res, 24th October 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
Stonechats continued to be seen across the county at Boddington, Earls Barton GP, Elton, Hollowell, Orlingbury, Stanford and Warmington with a maximum of four at Hollowell on 24th.
Edging that little bit closer to late autumn saw the arrival of large waves of winter thrushes pushing through the county, as well as the first Whooper Swans this side of the last winter period. Reluctant to move on, the Glossy Ibis dug its heels in, while yet more Yellow-browed Warblers seemed intent on making further advances on their already record high numbers.
Stanford was the top performing reservoir this week, with the birds on offer there including the locally roaming Pink-footed Goose again dropping in on 17th. Prior to this, four Whooper Swans flew east early on 13th, followed by what was believed to be a different quartet on the water there later in the afternoon. This latter herd remained overnight and was seen to depart to the east early the next day. Thrapston GP also got in on the action with four on Titchmarsh LNR on 13th, one of which bore rings – a white ‘65L’ on its right leg and a metal ring on its left. Observer research revealed it had been ringed as an adult male at Lake Sandvatn, Iceland on 8th August this year and that the Titchmarsh sighting was the first anywhere since this date.
Whooper Swan, Stanford Res, 13th October 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
Back at Stanford, Red-crested Pochard numbers fell from seven to four, all of which were still present at the week’s end. Elsewhere, the first-winter drake remained settled at Boddington Res throughout the period and two were present at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on 13th.
Red-crested Pochards, Earls Barton GP, 13th October 2024 (Bob Bullock)
With waders well and truly off the radar, it fell to gulls to provide a little waterfront entertainment. Boddington Res and Stanwick GP were to carve up the Mediterranean Gulls between them, Boddington regularly producing a first-winter between 14th and 18th and Stanwick a second-winter on 14th-15th.
First-winter Mediterranean Gull, Boddington Res, 15th October 2024 (Gary Pullan)
Stanwick also produced a first-winter Caspian Gull on 12th, while single adults visited both Boddington and Stanford on 15th and Hollowell Res held two adults on the latter date and one on 17th. The week’s Yellow-legged Gulls were found at three widely separated localities with singles at Stanwick on 12th, Boddington on 12th and 14th and Ravensthorpe Res on 17th, while five joined the roost at Boddington on 15th.
A late Black Tern was found at Pitsford Res, also on 15th.
Continuing its protracted stay, the Glossy Ibis notched up another week at Summer Leys LNR and surrounding area, where it has now been present for a solid 28 days. Interestingly, one was reported by a biodiversity survey team at Stanwick on 13th, which seems likely to be a different individual as the Summer Leys bird was being reported at, or about, the same time.
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 15th October 2024 (Paul Young)Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 17th October 2024 (Mike Alibone)
Stanwick was also the only site to record Bittern this week, with one there on 14th, while the same location saw three Cattle Egrets fly over on 12th and four on the ground there the following day. Further down the valley, fields immediately north-east of Ringstead GP produced the highest counts of the week, though, with one on 12th, eight on 15th and six on 18th, while one turning up to roost at Boddington on 14th was only the second record for the site.
Meanwhile, raptors were up on the last period with sightings of Marsh Harriers dominating. Seemingly now part of the Summer Leys furniture, one remained there throughout the week, also being seen in the wider area of the Earls Barton GP complex on 15th and 18th, while further reports came from Titchmarsh on 14th, Stanwick on 15th and Ditchford GP on 18th.
Marsh Harrier, Summer Leys LNR, 17th October 2024 (Clive Bowley)Marsh Harrier, Summer Leys LNR, 17th October 2024 (Clive Bowley)
A Hen Harrier – the fifth of the autumn, so far – was present at Stanford on 17th-18th but was not seen thereafter and a Merlin stuck around in the Brampton Valley, between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton, on 14th-15th.
Juvenile female Hen Harrier, Stanford Res, 18th October 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
After the last fortnight’s record-breaking four Yellow-browed Warblers, there was more to come and it seems we’re not done yet with this little Siberian gem. While the Ringstead bird was still to be had on the first day of the period, another was found at Stanford on 15th, followed by yet another at Earls Barton GP three days later, on 18th. And here’s the thing: over the last ten years (2014-2023) Yellow-broweds have outnumbered Wood Warblers in the county with a total of fourteen vs. thirteen of the latter. Throw in this year’s (2024) occurrences for both so far and Wood Warbler moves up one to fourteen, while Yellow-browed soars to nineteen – potentially twenty if this week’s individual at Stanford was indeed a new bird!
Rightly overshadowed, as well as likely overlooked, a Ring Ouzel at Harrington AF on 16th was about par for the autumn course as far as this species is concerned.
And as for other passerines, Stonechats were found in at least eight localities, comprising Brampton Valley, Ditchford, Earls Barton, Harrington, Hollowell, Pitsford, Stanford and Summer Leys, with maxima of six in the Brampton Valley and at Earls Barton.
Male Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 15th October 2024 (Leslie Fox)
It should be said that, given the numbers seen in the UK so far this autumn, ‘Eastern Stonechat’ is not impossible and, although it’s a bit of a long shot, inland records are not unprecedented …
We’re now well into October and sustained easterlies in the early part of the month have produced a veritable smorgasbord of Siberian vagrants along the eastern coast of Britain. Although situated far inland, we can’t really complain about the mid-autumn fare on offer locally. With a long-staying Glossy Ibis remaining throughout the period and a record number of Yellow-browed Warblers set to match that present on the Isles of Scilly (well, almost), there was enough out there to fuel enthusiasm and set local pulses racing.
With the provenance of a lone White-fronted Goose flying south-west over Stanford Res on 28th unestablished, it fell to the reservoir itself to produce the majority of this week’s more static wildfowl. Remaining there from the last full week of September was the flock of seven Red-crested Pochards, holding steady throughout the period, while the first-winter drake at Boddington Res also appeared similarly settled. Two more put in a one-day appearance at Daventry CP on 4th.
Red-crested Pochards, Stanford Res, 5th October 2024 (Barry Silverman)
After a visit on 3rd September, what was presumably the same female Ferruginous Duck was back again at Stanford on 11th. It seems likely this is one of the birds which has been frequenting Shawell Sandpit, Leicestershire, since early September. As the duck flies, this site is little more than 6 km from Stanford.
Ferruginous Duck, Stanford Res, 11trh October 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
And after what has turned out to be a decent year for Common Scoters in the county, three more were found at Daventry CP on 9th.
Common Scoters, Daventry CP, 9th October 2024 (Gary Pullan)
Summer Leys held the pick of the period’s meagre offering of waders, with a Black-tailed Godwit there on 3rd and a Ruff on 29th, 4th and 5th, while a Jack Snipe was found at Daventry CP on 7th.
The number of scarce gulls was down to just a first-winter Mediterranean Gull at Stanford on 9th-10th and single adult Caspian Gulls at Hollowell Res on 2nd and at Stanford on 5th. Yellow-legged Gulls did not fare much better, with a second-winter at Hollowell on 29th and a near-adult at Daventry on 9th.
First-winter Mediterranean Gull, Stanford Res, 9th October 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
And a late juvenile Arctic Tern at Thrapston GP’s Town Lake, from 30th until 2nd, was about par for the course for local records at this time of the year. Black Terns continued to appear throughout the period, though, with the four late September juveniles lingering at Clifford Hill GP until 1st and new birds turning up at Thrapston GP’s Town Lake, where there were three on 29th, followed by singles at Ravensthorpe Res on 30th, Hollowell from 10th to 11th and at Pitsford Res on the latter date.
Juvenile Black Tern, Hollowell Res, 11th October 2024 (Jon Cook)
And sticking more or less with seabirds, it’s been a while since the last Gannet was recorded in the county – 7th October 2021, to be precise – so two together in flight over Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes & Meadows LNR on 2nd was a boon for one local observer. They flew south-west but, perhaps surprisingly, they were not picked up by any other observers further up the Nene Valley in the same way that some have been in previous years.
Now seemingly settled, the Glossy Ibis, first found on 21st September, was seen daily on and around Summer Leys, although it was mobile between Earls Barton GP’s Hardwater Lake area and, at one point, Wellingborough Embankment. Not the crowd-puller it once was, we can no doubt expect more to come as ‘Cambridgeshire overspill’ following recent breeding in that county, where the species seems nigh on gaining residential status.
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 6th October 2024 (Ricky Sinfield)Glossy Ibis, Earls Barton GP, 10th October 2024 (Leslie Fox)Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 11th October 2024 (Clive Bowley)
While Summer Leys held on to its Bittern, which was seen sporadically up until 9th, there was neither sight nor sound of the one at Stanford after 28th.
Bittern, Summer Leys LNR, 29th September 2024 (Aamir Aziz Mughal)
The number of Cattle Egrets in the Nene Valley looked like it was beginning, once again, to approach double figures when eight were located in water meadows immediately east of Woodford on 4th. At least seven were still present the following day. One also visited Irthlingborough Lakes & Meadows LNR on 3rd.
Cattle Egret, Woodford, 5th October 2024 (Nick Parker)
And have we now seen the last of this year’s Ospreys? Single birds were watched flying purposefully over Stanford on 3rd and south-east over Lowick on 9th. To demonstrate just how quickly they make tracks for their winter quarters, a ringed individual that was present at Belvide Res, Staffordshire on the 25th September was back at the Palmarin Reserve in Senegal 14 days later, on 9th October (per Tim Mackrill).
Other raptors were also available – namely Marsh Harriers. As well as being seen almost daily at Summer Leys, singles appeared at Pitsford Res on 28th, in the River Tove Valley below Grafton Regis, on 4th and at Thrapston on 7th-8th.
Also out quartering rough ground was the autumn’s first Short-eared Owl, at Harrington AF on 3rd.
But the classic jewel in the autumn crown for many of us is Yellow-browed Warbler and with another major UK influx underway it would have been surprising if we had not picked up at least one. And so it came as no surprise when one was pulled from the hallowed nets of the Stanford Ringing Group on 28th, when it was ringed and immediately released it back into the nearby scrub from whence it came.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Stanford Res, 28th September 2024 (Barry Silverman)
What was a surprise, though, was the trapping of a second Yellow-browed at the same site the following day! Could things get any better? Well, in fact, yes. A third, unringed, individual was found only a few hundred metres away along the reservoir periphery, on 30th, this third bird remaining in the area until 4th.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Stanford Res, 29th September 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
Meanwhile, the individual trapped and ringed on 29th was retrapped on 3rd and upon weighing, it was discovered that it had increased its weight from 7.1 grams to 7.8 grams – a weight gain of almost 10%.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Stanford Res, 3rd October 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
Before the period was out, though, another was discovered at Ringstead GP, alongside Kinewell Lake, on 11th, giving rise to a record four Yellow-broweds in one Northamptonshire autumn – and it’s not over yet …
Other passerines were available, of course, and a late Common Redstart was trapped and ringed at Pitsford Res on 4th, while Stonechats were found at Earls Barton, Grafton Regis, Hollowell and Stanford, with no more than two at each locality.
In Northampton, a Hawfinch was reported briefly at Dallington Cemetery on 5th.
The last full week of September kicked off nicely with a Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys and ended on the same note. However, from the get-go, heavy downpours off the near continent and in from the Atlantic persisted throughout the period, resulting in all-out flooding of the Nene Valley, considerably widening the choice of wetlands for any visiting birds associated with them. Conversely, the choice for birders became more limited as rising water levels effectively cut off access to a number of favoured areas.
Despite being nice weather for ducks, as they say, there was little new in the way of dabblers and divers this week and it’s overwhelmingly likely that the Pink-footed Goose found with Greylags, at Hollowell Res on 24th, was last week’s bird from not-too-distant Naseby Res. Once again, the female Ruddy Shelduck was seen on the dam at Ravensthorpe Res on 22nd and, at Stanford Res, the number of Red-crested Pochards had nudged up to seven well before the end of the week. A new Red-crested Pochard appeared at Boddington Res on 26th and was still present the next day.
Red-crested Pochard, Boddington Res, 26th September 2024 (Gary Pullan)
Sticking with Boddington, the reservoir was added to the list of sites producing Black-necked Grebes this autumn when one was found there on 24th. Like last week’s bird, though, it had disappeared by the following day.
Black-necked Grebe, Boddington Res, 24th September 2024 (Gary Pullan)
It’s late September and we’re now seeing a wind-down in wader passage with just two species featuring in the week’s tally. Two Black-tailed Godwits visited Stanwick GP on 22nd, the same date seeing two Ruffs fly over Stanford, followed by one discovered at an extensively flooded Summer Leys on 27th.
More was to unfold at Stanwick where, as we moved into day 2 of the period, a gull passing through, initially identified as a first-winter Kittiwake, is now believed more likely to have been a juvenile Sabine’s Gull. With one in Leicestershire on the same date and another in Derbyshire two days later, it would seem in all probability that this was, frustratingly, the one that got away …
Not quite measuring up to the above but certainly in no shadow of a doubt, a first-winter Little Gull visited Boddington on 23rd. Two first-winter Mediterranean Gulls also appeared this week, although both moved quickly on. The first was at Stanford on 22nd, the second at Daventry CP three days later, on 25th. The period’s Caspian Gulls comprised a first-winter and near-adult at Daventry on 23rd and two adults – including the regular, loitering, German-ringed individual – at Naseby Res on 24th, one of which remained the next day. Pitsford held up to two adult Yellow-legged Gulls between 21st and 24th, while a first-winter appeared at Boddington on 26th.
Following a recent run of records from several localities, including Clifford Hill GP, during the second week of September, Black Terns were back in the frame at the latter locality with three juveniles there on 24th being joined by a fourth individual from 25th to 27th.
Juvenile Black Tern, Clifford Hill GP, 25th September 2024 (Tyler Atkinson)Juvenile Black Tern, Clifford Hill GP, 25th September 2024 (Tyler Atkinson)Juvenile Black Tern, Clifford Hill GP, 26th September 2024 (Mike Alibone)Juvenile Black Tern, Clifford Hill GP, 26th September 2024 (Mike Alibone)
But the star prize was discovered further down the Nene Valley at Summer Leys, just as the week commenced, on 21st. Enter Northamptonshire’s eleventh-ever Glossy Ibis. After spending little more than three hours on the Scrape there, it flew off and that was that – or so it was believed. Early on 22nd, though, it was back for a matter of minutes before again vanishing and reappearing as a fly-past on 24th. Three more days elapsed before it was again seen there on the ground in a landscape drastically changed by extensive flooding. In the meantime, one was reported flying over the A5 north of Towcester at Foster’s Booth, on 23rd.
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 21st September 2024 (Aamir Aziz Mughal)Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 21st September 2024 (Ady Leybourne)
Far less rare nowadays, the period’s Bitterns were divvied up between Summer Leys, where there were up to two, and Stanford, which held on to its newly acquired individual found last week. All remained throughout. Continuing to maintain a low profile, Cattle Egrets were reduced to two at Stanwick on 21st.
Bittern, Summer Leys LNR, 22nd September 2024 (Bob Bullock)
And after none last week, an Osprey drifted over Stanford on 27th, while Marsh Harriers took a tumble down to just the one, regularly visiting Summer Leys throughout the period.
Marsh Harrier and Bittern, Summer Leys LNR, 27th September 2024 (Ricky Sinfield)
A Whinchat at Hollowell on 25th might well be the last we see of the species this year, having been replaced by Stonechats both moving through and moving in for the winter. Examples of the latter were singles at Summer Leys on 23rd and Boddington on 26th, while two were at Hollowell on 24th-25th.
Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 21st September 2024 (Leslie Fox)Stonechat, Boddington Res, 26th September 2024 (Gary Pullan)
Northern Wheatears were also on the wane, with up to two – possibly three – at Clifford Hill between 24th and 26th.
Northern Wheatear, Clifford Hill GP, 24th September 2024 (Tyler Atkinson)
A warm, southerly airstream in the early part of the week was followed by sustained, cool northeasterlies and easterlies in the latter part of the period, although the weather appeared to make little difference to what was on offer on this week’s birding platter …
New in for the back end of the year, though, was a Pink-footed Goose with Greylags at Naseby Res on 17th. It was not seen subsequently. There is always some doubt over the provenance of lone individuals in the county, so should it be considered a wild bird? Why not! With arrivals touching down in the UK as early as late August, Pinkfeet have been returning for the winter in considerable numbers over the past week or so, including some stragglers well inland. Birdtrack had also seen a big spike in reporting rates by mid-month.
Adult Pink-footed Goose, Naseby Res, 17th September 2024 (Mike Alibone)
Another bird frequently kicked into touch by some is the annually returning female Ruddy Shelduck – this week having now apparently vacated Stanford Res for Ravensthorpe Res, where it was seen on 15th. Stanford’s two Red-crested Pochards, found on the last day of the previous week, quickly tripled to six during the period, all of which remained until the week’s end.
Red-crested Pochards, Stanford Res, 18th September 2024 (Barry Silverman)
A Common Quail was reportedly flushed in a field west of the River Nene between Nassington and Elton on 14th.
Having notched up almost four weeks at Clifford Hill GP, the moulting adult Black-necked Grebe remained there until at least 15th. Another – in full winter plumage – was found at Daventry CP on 19th but was not seen thereafter.
This week’s waders were in short supply. Stanwick GP produced a Black-tailed Godwit from 15th until 19th, two being present on 18th. Further up the Nene Valley, three Greenshanks dropped into Summer Leys LNR on 15th.
With only five so far this autumn, Mediterranean Gulls have to date proven scarce, so one flying over Raunds on 16th was a welcome addition to the seasonal tally. Apart from that, the usual two larger larids continued to provide some interest. The week’s Caspian Gulls comprised a first-winter at Boddington Res on 16th, an adult at Stanwick on 17th, a juvenile at Daventry on 19th and the habitual German-ringed adult at Naseby on 17th and 20th. Easier to catch up with, Yellow-legged Gulls maxed out at nine in the roost at Boddington on 16th, while five were at Stanwick on 17th with just one there on 18th and Pitsford Res held up to four between 17th and 20th. Elsewhere, single adults visited Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh LNR on 17th-18th and Daventry on 19th.
Adult Yellow-legged Gull, Titchmarsh LNR, 18th September 2024 (Nick Parker)Adult Yellow-legged Gull, Pitsford Res, 20th September 2024 (Mike Alibone)
Compared to last week it was a different one altogether for Bitterns, with reports from three – dare we say ‘widely spread’ – localities. On 15th, two were together on Summer Leys’ Scrape while, four days later on 19th, one was found at Stanwick, followed by another at Stanford the next day – a ‘patch tick’ even for some seasoned birders over that way.
Bittern, Summer Leys LNR, 15th September 2024 (Ricky Sinfield)
Meanwhile, Cattle Egrets seem to have slumped back into their periodic low profile status, with one in flight over Raunds on 15th, followed by two at nearby Stanwick on 17th-18th.
And in the first week with no Ospreys for a long, long time, numbers of Marsh Harriers were also down. One flew over Titchmarsh LNR on 15th, Summer Leys hung on to one, seen on 15th and 20th, one was at Wadenhoe Water Meadows on 16th and another in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 16th and again on 18th. After one last week, sightings of Hen Harriers increased to three, with an adult male flying east at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 14th, a ‘ringtail’ west over Borough Hill on the same date and another ‘ringtail’ over Harrington AF on 16th.
The first Merlin of the autumn, a juvenile, was seen at Boddington on 16th.
On the passerine front, Common Redstarts continued to melt away steadily, with singles at Borough Hill on 15th, in the Brampton Valley on 16th and at Boddington on 17th. Whinchats were still very much in evidence, though, with six localities producing numbers between one and four during the period. Top sites in the latter respect were Borough Hill, where four were present on 16th and at least one the following day, and the Brampton Valley, which produced a maximum of four on two dates between 14th and 18th. Elsewhere, Clifford Hill GP held on to at least three from last week between 14th and 16th, two were at Harrington AF on 14th, two were found at Priors Hall, Corby on 16th and one was at Pitsford Res on 14th. The number of Stonechats continued to rise, although no more than two were seen at each of the six localities of Borough Hill, Brampton Valley, Clifford Hill, Harrington, Priors Hall and Summer Leys.
Stonechat, Clifford Hill GP, 16th September 2024 (Tyler Atkinson)
Northern Wheatears reverted to their former scarcity with one at Borough Hill on 15th and 16th and one at Harrington on the latter date.
Northern Wheatear, Harrington AF, 16th September 2024 (Leslie Fox)
Northants birds 