Northants birds

Storm Atiyah’s brush with the UK did little for Northants as the cold, bright conditions at the beginning of the period were subsequently replaced by more rain, bluster and ever-changing wind direction. A lingering Dark-bellied Brent Goose and the well-installed Great Grey Shrike continued to provide the main attractions.

Following its frustratingly fleeting appearances at the beginning and end of last week, the Stanford Dark-bellied Brent Goose was finally pinned down to a regular feeding area alongside the River Avon, at Stanford Hall, from 8th until at least 11th. However, it didn’t always play ball, more often than not choosing to remain on the Leicestershire side of the river. Although there are more records in spring and autumn, winter probably provides the best opportunity for catching up with this species as its stays tend to be much more protracted than in passage periods. All previous records assigned to race appear to have been of the nominate dark-bellied form bernicla from Siberia. A pale-bellied hrota from the east Canadian Arctic, or Svalbard, would likely constitute a ‘first’ for the county and in these days of surprise splits, would be a welcome insurance addition to many a county list.

In the east of the county, the adult Whooper Swan was still in place at Thrapston GP on 9th, while the female Ruddy Shelduck – seemingly absent for three weeks – again visited Ravensthorpe Res on 7th. At Summer Leys LNR, the drake Red-crested Pochard seemed settled throughout the period and the ‘redhead’ Smew was present until at least 7th, although there was a report of two there the following day.

Up to two Great Egrets were on site at Stanwick GP, Summer Leys and Thrapston and singles were seen at Ditchford GP, Hollowell Res, Pitsford Res and Stanford Res. Waders this week were limited to five Ruffs at Summer Leys on 13th – really quite unseasonal for Northamptonshire and winter gulls remained low in numbers, with Stanford again producing an adult Mediterranean Gull on 10th, while an adult Caspian Gull was at Sulby Res on 7th and an adult Yellow-legged Gull visited Hollowell Res on the same date.

Looking settled for the long term, the DIRFT 3 Great Grey Shrike was still present on 11th, remaining faithful to a remarkably small area of scrub.

The same site held at least three Stonechats, although four were at both Hollowell on 7th and Pitsford on 13th while, elsewhere, singles were seen at Stanford, Thrapston and Wicksteed Water Meadows (Kettering).

With the jet stream having slipped further south, the first half of the week was dominated by high pressure, bringing cold northerly winds and sub-zero overnight temperatures. The second half, though initially still cold, saw a change in wind direction, with westerlies bringing us back up to average temperatures with showers of rain. When all is said, though, this week’s weather appeared to have little influence on the birds occurring during the review period.

Reports of wildfowl were well down on those of previous weeks but a Dark-bellied Brent Goose heading east over Stanford Res on 1st, followed by a first-winter – presumably the same individual – present there again briefly on 6th at least delivered a reasonable level of quality. It is only the second record for the county this year, following the briefly staying individual at Stanwick GP on 6th October. Conversely and unsurprisingly, the adult Whooper Swan remained at Thrapston GP – now present for its ninth week and the drake Red-crested Pochard was still at Summer Leys LNR at the week’s end.

Between one and three Great Egrets remained ensconced at Ditchford GP, Pitsford Res, Stanford, Summer Leys LNR and Thrapston, with Daventry CP joining the list of localities hosting this species during the week.

December is traditionally quiet for waders and, so far, this one is no exception with just two Jack Snipe comprising singles at Stortons GP on 2nd and Neville’s Lodge (Finedon) on 4th-5th. Gulls, too, were thin on the ground, with Stanford producing an adult Mediterranean Gull on 2nd and two adult Yellow-legged Gulls on 30th, while one of the latter species was also present at Pitsford on 5th.

On dry land, single Short-eared Owls were seen at Stanford on 30th, Lilbourne Meadows LNR on 3rd and at both Neville’s Lodge (Finedon) and Borough Hill the following day, on 4th.

The week’s star bird – the DIRFT 3 Great Grey Shrike – for the third week running attracted a trickle of admirers and continued to perform for the duration of the period. Access to the site has, so far, been granted by the security guard manning the entrance to the development area, approached along the road running past Kinaxia Logistics.

Another week, another Firecrest: one was found in the last hour of daylight at the village institute in Upper Harlestone on 6th.

Stonechats continued to be seen at DIRFT 3, Earls Barton, Lilbourne Meadows, Stanford and Pitsford, with a maximum of four at the latter site on 30th and 3rd.

Dull, dank, murky drizzle dominated the week’s weather as low pressure once again dragged in copious moisture off the Atlantic. Notable wildfowl were back on the menu, while scarce passerines maintained their prominence.

The first Bewick’s Swans to occur at Stanford Res since 2007 arrived on the afternoon of 24th. The herd, comprising five adults and four juveniles, was still present at lights out but they were nowhere to be seen first thing the following morning. This is the only record of this species in the current year, so far, in Northamptonshire.

More of a fixture, the adult Whooper Swan remained at Thrapston GP on 23rd and the drake Red-crested Pochard at Summer Leys LNR maintained its presence all week. The latter locality also continued to host the ‘redhead’ Smew, now enjoying the beginning of its 5th week on site. Snatching the ducks deluxe award this week, on 24th, was a Red-breasted Merganser – a fine, spiky-haired drake, which was initially found off the dam before quickly relocating to the vicinity of Catwalk Bay, prior to equally quickly flying off, never to be seen again. Formerly seen virtually annually, this species has become scarce and much sought after in the county, the last being seen at Stanwick GP in January 2016.

Narrowly preserving its weekly appearance in these summaries, just one Cattle Egret was logged at Stanwick GP, on 24th, while Great Egrets maintained their presence in ones and twos at Ditchford GP, Pitsford Res, Stanwick, Summer Leys and Thrapston, with Stanford hosting three on 27th.

Just about keeping raptors afloat, a ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier was hunting over fields between Scaldwell and Old on 28th while similarly, on the wader front, the sole representative this week was again a Black-tailed Godwit – this time at Stanwick on 24th and 27th.

We’re not quite in season with true winter gulls yet but a third-winter Caspian Gull was on the flood pools at DIRFT 3 on 28th, along with an adult Yellow-legged Gull. Up to two of the latter species were also present at Pitsford between 24th and 28th, the same site continuing to play host to the long-staying adult Mediterranean Gull, looking fit and healthy apart from a gammy right leg and foot.

Fifty shades of grey may be more than apt to describe the past week’s weather but it’s equally applicable to the bird topping the bill for the second week running, the Great Grey Shrike at DIRFT 3. Appearing to have done a bunk by 25th, it was back on station, large as life – minus its parasitic friend – on 28th. DIRFT 3 also retained its Short-eared Owls, with three still present on 25th, while another was seen flying over the A510 and across allotments between Wellingborough and Finedon on 29th.

A Firecrest showed well, if only briefly, to members of the Peterborough Bird Club on an awayday to Summer Leys on 24th. There must surely be more of these little gems just waiting to be found wintering in the extensive river valley scrub along the Nene. Meanwhile, Stonechats were reduced to just singles seen at Stanford, Summer Leys, Thrapston and Wicksteed Water Meadows (Kettering) and Hawfinch once again made it into the week’s round-up, with one in flight at Salcey Forest on 27th.

Although the weather was again largely dominated by Atlantic low pressure systems, last week’s heavy rain subsided, allowing local floodwater a chance to drain away – at least in part. The end of the period saw milder conditions resulting from a warmer, continental airstream from the south-east. This week’s top birds were again all based on terra firma, further extending this great autumn’s run of passerines.

Not always readily viewable, the adult Whooper Swan remained at Thrapston GP throughout and three adults were logged flying east over Summer Leys on 17th. The long-staying and highly mobile female Ruddy Shelduck, which turned up at Foxholes Fisheries, near Crick, last week, remained until at least 16th and reports of  Red-crested Pochards dwindled to two at Thrapston between 18th and 21st and a single drake at Summer Leys LNR from 19th until the week’s end. The ‘redhead’ Smew, found at Pitsford Res on 13th, was still present on 17th while the Summer Leys ‘redhead’ also remained throughout the period.

Back on the menu this week … Cattle Egrets at Stanwick GP. Three were present daily between 17th and 19th but four assembled in the small cattle field between Roadside Lake and the Fishing Lakes on 20th. There was also a better showing of Great Egrets this week, with twos at both Pitsford and Summer Leys and singles, on and off, at Ditchford GP, Foxholes Fisheries (Crick), Stanford Res and Stanwick. Last but not least, the only other wetland bird of the week was a Black-tailed Godwit at Summer Leys on 22nd.

Raptors were thin on the ground and in the air but the ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier was still present in the DIRFT 3/Lilbourne Meadows area on 17th, as were up to three Short-eared Owls throughout the period, and two – possibly three – were still at Neville’s Lodge (Finedon) between 16th and 18th. Merlins continued to be seen, with singles at Pitsford Res on 16th, Croughton Quarry on 17th and in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton on 19th.

Bird of the week, at least for some, was a crisp and charismatic adult Great Grey Shrike at DIRFT 3 development area, between Lilbourne and Crick, from 17th until the week’s end. This is only the second in the county this year, following one near Scaldwell in December 2018 and the long-staying and well-watched bird in the Brampton Valley during winter 2018-2019. Prior that, the last was in February 2015.

Stealing a march on said shrike – but only in terms of tonal palette – a smart male Bearded Tit was discovered close to the Visitor Centre at Stanwick on 16th, remaining there until the following morning to demonstrate its flamboyance before heading off east, never to be seen again. It’s early days as far as winter is concerned so there’s a high likelihood of more appearing over the forthcoming weeks.

For the third week running, a Siberian Chiffchaff was discovered – this time at Ringstead GP. Unfortunately, like the other three, it quickly melted away into the scrub, eluding even those who were quick off the mark. Scrub, farmland and wetlands continued to produce Stonechats, which were seen in the Brampton Valley, at DIRFT 3, Stanford and Pitsford Res, with a maximum of four at the latter site on 16th. Back to brute and charisma now, with two Hawfinches frequenting the trees by the track along the north side of Fotheringhay Castle on 21st. Despite the recent winter invasion, this is a species which never fails to impress and delight.

Low pressure dominated the period, bringing significantly heavy rain which, backed principally by north-easterlies, resulted in considerable flooding of low-lying areas. The Nene Valley bore the brunt but arguably produced the best birds of the week.

Clearly spoilt for choice with the availability of the expanding floodwater, commoner wildfowl appeared in areas that would normally see none. Immediately west of Northampton, for example, the extensively flooded Kislingbury Meadows, at its aqua alta, played host to a couple of Shelducks, as well as to small numbers of Tufted Ducks and even Pochard. At the other end of the county, at Thrapston GP, the adult Whooper Swan was still present until at least 11th, while back over to the west, the female Ruddy Shelduck, which went unreported last week, popped up at Foxholes Fisheries, near Crick, on 12th where, it emerged, she had been holed up for a good few days. North of the causeway at Pitsford Res, Red-crested Pochard numbers increased to six on 12th, while three visited Thrapston on 11th and the Clifford Hill GP drake was joined by a second one from 9th until at least 12th. The juvenile drake Greater Scaup remained at Daventry CP all week and Pitsford’s Pintail Bay was the venue for the discovery of a female Common Scoter on 10th, before two more were found in close proximity the following day.

The latter location also produced the second ‘redhead’ Smew of the autumn, on 13th, while Summer Leys retained its own ‘redhead’ until at least 11th, before it was relocated on Mary’s Lake, across the lane of the same name, at Earls Barton GP.

Also at Summer Leys, sporadic in-flight appearances of Bittern continued with one there on 12th, while another was also seen flying between Fawsley and Everdon on 9th. Reports of Great Egrets were down on recent weeks, with up to two at Pitsford between 10th and 13th and singles at Thrapston on 9th, Summer Leys between 10th and 13th and at Stanwick GP on 12th.

On the raptor front, another Marsh Harrier was found – this time flying west at Oundle on 12th and a ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier was hunting over DIRFT 3 and adjacent Lilbourne Meadows LNR on 9th-10th, while a ‘ringtail’ harrier sp. was reported from the Brampton Valley, near Cottesbrooke, on 14th.

The Pitsford adult Mediterranean Gull was again in the roost there on 11th and 14th and just one Yellow-legged Gull was reported this week – an adult at Stanford Res on 10th.

Short-eared Owls were found at three localities – one, a presumed migrant, at Stanford Res on 9th, while last week’s DIRFT 3 two were quartering the adjacent Lilbourne Meadows area on 13th and one was still at Neville’s Lodge (Finedon) on 13th and 15th. The Harrington AF Merlin was seen there again on 10th and singles were also in the Brampton Valley and at Stanford Res on 15th.

Following last week’s Siberian Chiffchaff, trapped and ringed at Stanford, two more were discovered in willows at a heavily waterlogged Ditchford GP on 15th – as ‘half-predicted’ in the last round-up – while just across the A6, at Stanwick, a Firecrest was trapped and ringed on 10th.

Lastly, Stonechats continued to be seen in twos in the Brampton Valley, at DIRFT 3 and Clifford Hill GP with three at Pitsford Res and one at Stanford.

An unsettled week with a variable wind direction, sporadic heavy showers, low cloud and drizzle. Against a backcloth of visible passerine migration, a Siberian Chiffchaff at Stanford Reservoir was arguably the week’s highlight.

This week’s wintering wildfowl numbers were on the up but unevenly distributed with, for example, Pitsford Res and Summer Leys LNR holding relatively good numbers, while in stark contrast the reservoirs at Ravensthorpe and Hollowell barely mustered a handful of common ducks between them. The adult Whooper Swan remained on Thrapston GP’s Town Lake and six flew north over Stanford Res on 8th, the latter site seeing the reappearance of the drake Ruddy Shelduck for one day only, on 6th, although the more regularly encountered female in the Hollowell/Ravensthorpe area failed to materialise this week.

Up to four Red-crested Pochards continued to favour the northern section of Pitsford Res, three visited Stanford on 3rd and the Clifford Hill GP drake was still present on 7th.

In the west of the county, at Daventry CP, an adult female and juvenile drake Greater Scaup were present on 4th-5th, the juvenile remaining until 7th, while the Summer Leys ‘redhead’ Smew remained on 2nd and then went missing before its reappearance there on 7th-8th.

Also at Summer Leys, what was presumably last week’s Bittern was again seen briefly in flight on 8th and further down the Nene Valley, at Stanwick GP, the five Cattle Egrets materialised once more on 4th. Stanwick again produced the week’s highest count of Great Egrets with three on 6th, while two were seen at both Pitsford and Thrapston and singles were at  Ditchford GP, Stanford, Summer Leys and Maidwell.

Last week’s Marsh Harrier reappeared at Stanford Res on 3rd, another flew west over Summer Leys’ scrape on 8th and for the second week running, a Jack Snipe at Hollowell on 7th was again the period’s only notable wader.

Just three Mediterranean Gulls included the Pitsford adult on 2nd, 4th-5th and 8th, a second-winter in the gull roost at Boddington Res on 5th and another adult in the roost at Stanford on 5th and 7th-8th. A third-winter Caspian Gull visited Daventry CP on 5th and a thin scattering of Yellow-legged Gulls included a third-winter and the usual one or two adults at Pitsford, single adults at Stanford on 3rd and Daventry on 5th and three adults in the roost at Boddington, also on 5th.

With numerous migrant ‘shorties’ recently logged ‘in-off’ on the east coast, more Short-eared Owls were found this week, with at least two at DIRFT 3 on 6th and one at the more traditional wintering site of Neville’s Lodge (Finedon) on the same date, followed by two there the following evening.

The lengthy North Sea crossings between Norway, Britain and Eire made by a satellite-tagged individual over two years, documented here, outlines just what an amazing traveller this species can be. One of last week’s Merlins was again at Harrington AF on 4th and 8th.

Another scarce late autumn migrant coming through on the east coast at present is Siberian Chiffchaff, one of which was trapped and ringed at Stanford on 6th. Hopefully one or two will be discovered locally as winter progresses. The Stanford ringers also trapped a very late Willow Warbler on the same date. This is probably the latest recorded in autumn in the county, notwithstanding three seen in December 1974, at Pitsford Res (2 on 15th) and Duston (one on 20th) which were considered to have been wintering.

Lastly, Stonechats continued to be seen in ones and twos at DIRFT 3, Pitsford, Summer Leys and Thrapston, while four were at Hollowell on 7th.

A change of month, a change of clocks and a change of wind direction back to easterlies resulted in a few new birds, the first autumnal frost on 28th and the arrival of the county’s first Smew of the ‘winter’ at Summer Leys on the last day of the week.

The adult Whooper Swan remained all week on Thrapston GP’s Town Lake and a juvenile was found in the Tove Valley, east of Grafton Regis, on 29th, although it did not linger.

At Hollowell Res, the female Ruddy Shelduck put in an appearance on 27th before moving to nearby Ravensthorpe Res later in the day, while the three Red-crested Pochards at Pitsford Res had become four by 29th and the Clifford Hill GP bird was still present on 30th. In the west of the county, last week’s juvenile Greater Scaup remained at Daventry CP until at least 31st, while the juvenile at Pitsford was still present off the sailing club on 26th – the same date a female was reported at Summer Leys LNR.

Summer Leys also produced the first Smew of the back end of the year, a ‘redhead’, on 1st, serving as a reminder that winter proper is only a few weeks away.

Here for the winter or simply in transit, only time will tell on the two Black-necked Grebes which found their way to Pitsford and made their way to Pintail Bay on 1st. The same could well apply to the Bittern seen briefly but ridiculously well in flight at Summer Leys on 27th.

This species replaces Cattle Egret in a week during which none of the latter was seen for the first time since the spring. By contrast, Great Egrets consolidated their hold, being reported in ones and twos from all of last week’s localities, including Hollowell, Pitsford, Stanford, Summer Leys and Thrapston with three at Stanwick on 1st.

Two Marsh Harriers appeared this week, one of which showed signs of lingering at Summer Leys on 30th-31st, while the other flew over Stanford Res and into Leicestershire on 29th. A Jack Snipe at Hollowell on 27th was the week’s only notable wader.

Just that bit too early for any truly winter visiting gulls, roost-watchers managed to eke out possibly up to two Mediterranean Gulls at Pitsford between 26th and 1st and another at Boddington Res on 31st. All birds concerned were adults. Along with Neville’s Lodge (Finedon) and Hollowell, the same two localities also produced Yellow-legged Gulls, with a maximum of eleven at Boddington on 31st.

Following the first Short-eared Owls of the autumn/winter period last week, Borough Hill again produced three on 27th, while single Merlins were seen at Stanford on 30th and at Harrington AF the following day.

In stark contrast to last week, passerines were in short supply and following that week’s Waxwings at Stanford Res on 25th, ten were reported in flight over the same locality two days later, on 27th. Other than that, Stonechats continued and extended their recent abundance, being seen at Borough Hill, Clifford Hill, DIRFT 3, Ditchford GP, Earls Barton GP, Hollowell, Pitsford, Stanford and Thrapston, with a maximum of four at Borough Hill on 27th and the same number at Pitsford on 29th.

Also notably lacking in records this autumn, a Rock Pipit was a welcome visitor to the dam at Pitsford on 31st-1st.

With more unsettled weather afoot, chilly northerlies swung quickly to south-westerlies, bringing rain, bluster and birds. In the last week before taking the unwelcome plunge into late afternoon darkness for the next few months, leaf-fall accelerated and migration continued apace – especially where passerines were concerned – with the reservoirs at Pitsford and Stanford again delivering the best in class.

Looking set for the long haul, the adult Whooper Swan remained all week at Thrapston GP, while four adults flew north over Pitsford Res on 21st and another adult was found at Summer Leys LNR on 25th. The female Ruddy Shelduck was still at Ravensthorpe Res on 19th and the continued presence of one Red-crested Pochard at Clifford Hill GP was eclipsed by three at Pitsford on 25th. More Greater Scaup arrived this week and included three at Daventry CP on 22nd, one of which – a juvenile – remained until 25th, while the juvenile at Pitsford on 13th reappeared there on 24th.

The number of Cattle Egrets present at Stanwick varied by the day and included a maximum of six on 21st, while Great Egrets were reported from the usual localities, including reservoirs at Hollowell, Pitsford and Stanford and gravel pits at Stanwick, Summer Leys and Thrapston, with no more than two at any locality.

Waders were understandably thin on the ground. With the recognised passage period now over and water levels at local reservoirs unseasonally high after the past few weeks’ persistent rain, it is, after all, hardly surprising. So a Ruff at Stanwick on 23rd and a Jack Snipe at Ditchford GP on 22nd, were all local observers were able to squeeze out of this week’s birding.

Just one Mediterranean Gull – a first-winter – found its way to the county this week, when a first-winter appeared in the roost at Boddington Res on 22nd, this date also producing a respectable site total of ten Yellow-legged Gulls at the same locality. Singles of the latter were also seen at Hollowell, Pitsford and Thrapston.

The first Short-eared Owl of the autumn/winter period was found on Borough Hill on 19th, quickly followed the next day by another at Harrington AF, where a Merlin was seen also on 19th, the same individual possibly accounting for one reported in the nearby Brampton Valley during the week.

Following small numbers Waxwings turning up in Orkney and Shetland as early as 2nd October and with many localities on the east coast and across the Midlands (and even Scilly) pulling in the odd bird, three making a five-minute stopover at Stanford on 25th is perhaps not as surprising as it may at first seem. Are we in for a Waxwing Winter? When and where will the next ones be in the county and who will be the claimant? The bets are on …

Much rarer locally than those jingling, colourful and charismatic berry-gobblers and altogether much less flamboyant, Woodlark remains highly prized in Northamptonshire. On 23rd, two circled Pitsford’s Scaldwell Bay before flying north. With just three previous records this century (2001, 2014, 2016) and ten in the last fifty years, it’s a puzzle as to why we don’t see more. The above two, along with earlier reports of singles at Woodford on 1st January and Pitsford on 15th April, will give us our best-ever year for this species, assuming all records are formally submitted and subsequently accepted by the local records committee.

There were no more Yellow-broweds this week but continuing the rare warblers theme was an ‘eastern’ Lesser Whitethroat at Stanwick on 21st. With the east coast – particularly East Yorkshire – having produced a number of candidates for Siberian blythi and a possible Turkestan halimodendri in the past couple of weeks, its occurrence comes as no real surprise. Siberian Lesser Whitethroat has already occurred in Northants in recent years – the first, a wintering bird, in 2014 (1, 2, 3) and the second, trapped and ringed in 2015.

Stanford scored another ‘back of the net’ with a Firecrest trapped and ringed on 25th. More good stuff from the Stanford Ringing Group before the autumn’s out, I’ll wager! Stonechats continued to be seen at Borough Hill, Clifford Hill, Pitsford Res, in the Brampton Valley and at Harrington AF, where vizmig fly-overs included the hunky Anthus duo of Rock Pipit and Water Pipit on 19th and 20th respectively. With five Common Crossbills flying over Stanwick on 20th, this week the passerines have it, the passerines have it!

The weather remained largely unsettled, with heavy rain and sporadic showers, backed by blustery south to south-westerly winds during the early part of the week. The period’s highlight was a Yellow-browed Warbler, trapped and ringed … where else other than at Stanford Reservoir.

Last week’s adult Whooper Swan was present all week at Thrapston GP, where hopefully it will remain for the winter. Also remaining – though highly mobile – was at least one Ruddy Shelduck, a female having been seen at Foxholes Fisheries (Crick) on 12th and it seems likely this was the same individual seen briefly at Stanford Res later the same day and again at Ravensthorpe Res on 18th.

A juvenile drake Red-crested Pochard visited Clifford Hill GP on 12th and two were present there on 15th but it was Pitsford Res which produced the best diving ducks this week, with a juvenile Greater Scaup on 13th followed by five Common Scoters two days later, on 15th. Unfortunately, this was the best we could manage during a week when, just over the county boundary in Leicestershire, Rutland Water pulled in a fine drake Lesser Scaup. Spitting distance from Northants, again, as we remain the only Midlands county to have missed out on adding this species to our list. One day, maybe, one day …

Up to six Cattle Egrets remained at Stanwick throughout, as did up to two Great Egrets with more of the latter including singles at Ditchford GP, Thrapston and Summer Leys, Two at Pitsford and three at Stanford. On 17th, Stanford also produced a Marsh Harrier, which drifted away toward the reservoir’s namesake, Stanford on Avon, in the latter half of the morning.

Wader-wise, it was again slim pickings, which consisted of a late Whimbrel flying west over Grafton Regis on 15th and a Ruff at Stanwick the following day, on 16th.

With most of them long gone, any report of a Common Sandpiper at this time of the year is guaranteed to quicken the pulse. How well was it seen? Spotted Sandpiper ruled out? So, the chances of the late example of the aforementioned Common, which turned up on the dam at Pitsford on 17th, being one of the latter surely had to be higher than normal. But no such luck. Well, this is Northamptonshire, don’t forget and, just like Lesser Scaup, we’re still owed one – big time!

And so to gulls, with Mediterranean Gull topping the bill and kicking off with a first-winter on land cleared for housing at Upton Park (Northampton) on 12th and an adult in the roost at Boddington Res on the same date, plus a second-winter there on 18th. The roost off the sailing club at Pitsford then produced an adult and a second-winter on 13th, a second-winter on 16th, an adult again on 17th and an adult plus a first-winter on 18th, while the maximum counts of Yellow-legged Gulls were nine in the roost at Pitsford on 16th and six at Boddington on 12th and 18th. Surprisingly, last week’s juvenile Arctic Tern lingered, still being at Hollowell Res on 16th.

Thanks to the IOC, ‘new order’ raptors appeared in the shape of a Merlin or two – at Harrington AF on 16th and 18th.

Once again, those hallowed nets of the Stanford Ringing Group delivered Northamptonshire’s fourteenth Yellow-browed Warbler on 12th. With more than four hundred on the east coast during the past week (and six hundred the week before that) it came as no real surprise – especially when the group’s track record is taken into consideration.

With Northern Willow Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff, Dusky Warbler, Marsh Warbler, Icterine Warbler and Siberian Lesser Whitethroat all ‘back of the net’ in recent years, the group is almost duty-bound to trap the obligatory Yellow-browed every year. This one is their fifth (including one at nearby Naseby Res) in addition to one which managed to avoid the nets altogether in October 2016!

Also at Stanford, a Ring Ouzel was discovered near the dam on 15th, remaining there until the next day, when one was also found in a Spratton garden.

Stonechat numbers dwindled to ones and twos at Stanford Res, Harrington AF and in the Brampton Valley, while what seems highly likely to be the last Northern Wheatear was the bird lingering on the dam at Pitsford Res from last week until 15th.

An unsettled week with a strong, predominantly westerly airflow saw a couple of potentially weather-related arrivals in the respective shapes of Dark-bellied Brent Goose and Gannet, amid more winter thrushes and the autumn’s first Bramblings.

At least some reward for a seemingly endless succession of early morning visits by one observer to Stanwick GP appeared in the form of a Dark-bellied Brent Goose on the Main Lake there, albeit briefly, on 6th. Further down the valley, at Thrapston GP, there was speculation that the adult Whooper Swan there on 7th-8th was last winter’s ‘ugly duckling’ all grown up and back for the winter. Let’s see if it stays. Meanwhile, in the north of the county, the roving Ruddy Shelducks were still making sporadic appearances – the drake at Stanford Res on 8th and the female returning to Hollowell Res on 10th.

Up to six Cattle Egrets remained at Stanwick until at least 10th, the same site being visited by a Great Egret on 5th and again on 10th. Great Egrets were also at Ditchford GP on 5th, Stanford on 6th and 8th, Thrapston on 6th-7th, Pitsford Res on 7th and 9th and Summer Leys LNR on 9th-10th. Two were also at the latter locality on 5th and 7th and at Pitsford on 5th and 6th, while three visited Stanford on 11th.

It would have been surprising if we hadn’t had at least one seabird in the county over the past couple of weeks, so the juvenile Gannet found grounded at Gretton Weir on 8th was not entirely unexpected, even if the locality in which it occurred was. Discovered shortly before midday, it had disappeared when the observer returned later in the day. September is the peak month in Northants but early October has also produced numerous records.

And by the time we hit October it’s usually all over for the waders – this year so far proving to be no exception. A Ruff at Stanwick on 6th and the two Greenshanks remaining at Pitsford until the same date constituted this week’s meagre tally.

Conversely, Mediterranean Gull was well represented by a mix of ages, primarily at the Pitsford gull roost, where two first-winters and a second-winter were present on 5th, single second-winters on 6th and 8th, an adult and three first-winters on 7th and an adult on 10th. Elsewhere, a first-winter was at Panattoni Park (Northampton) on 7th and the gull roost at Boddington Res produced an adult on 10th, as well as an adult hybrid Mediterranean Gull x Black-headed Gull on 8th.

Hollowell Res produced the only Caspian Gull of the week, a first-winter on 10th, while the maximum count of Yellow-legged Gulls was ten in the roost at Pitsford on 5th and single-figure counts came from Boddington and Hollowell. A juvenile Arctic Tern, typically late, was found at the latter locality on 10th.

Passerine migrants were unsurprisingly on the wane this week although, in the wake of hundreds of recent east coast records, a Yellow-browed Warbler was reported in flight in a Duston (Northampton) garden on 7th. Common Redstarts hung on with one in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton on 5th, while Stonechats were seen in ones

and twos at Brampton Valley, Harrington AF, Panattoni Park and Pitsford, although four were at Hollowell on 10th. Northern Wheatears were still represented by singles at Panattoni Park on 5th-6th, Harrington on 6th and Pitsford from 6th to 10th.