The seemingly relentless summer heat wavered somewhat this week as the winds turned north-easterly toward the end of the period and the arrival of a fresh quota of migrants, large and small, hinted at autumn …
Now on tour, last week’s female Ruddy Shelduck vacated Winwick Pools and it was the turn of Stanford Res to play host throughout the period.
Ruddy Shelduck, Stanford Res, 12th July 2026 (Barry Silverman)
And a moult migration stopover was made by two Common Scoters at Clifford Hill GP on 12th.
On dry land, things went all quiet on the Quail front, the male near Blueberry Farm, Maidwell heard only on day one, after which … silence.
New in this week were four Black-necked Grebes – three adults together at Daventry CP on 14th, remaining there until 16th, after which one stayed on until 17th. Meanwhile, another adult arrived at Stanford on 15th, where it was still present at the week’s end. These represent only the fifth and sixth records for the year, so far.
Black-necked Grebes, Daventry CP, 14th July 2026 (Gary Pullan)Black-necked Grebe, Daventry CP, 14th July 2026 (Gary Pullan)Black-necked Grebe, Stanford Res, 15th July 2026 (Chris Hubbard)
Four sites produced Black-tailed Godwits, commencing with a flock of thirteen adults, unlucky on the overgrown Scrape at Summer Leys LNR, early doors on 12th. These were followed by single birds at Clifford Hill on 13th, Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR on 16th-17th and Daventry CP on 17th.
Black-tailed Godwits, Summer Leys LNR, 12th July 2026 (Ricky Sinfield)
The only other wader deserving a mention was a Greenshank at a water-depleted Sywell CP on the last day of the period.
With regard to gulls, things perked up a bit this week with the arrival of the ‘autumn’s’ first Mediterranean Gulls, commencing with a second-summer at Daventry on 14th, quickly followed by a juvenile on 16th and an adult there the next day. A juvenile paid a brief visit to Summer Leys on 16th.
Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Daventry CP, 16th July 2026 (Gary Pullan)Adult Mediterranean Gull, Daventry CP, 17th July 2026 (Gary Pullan)
Daventry also produced an adult (or fourth-summer) Caspian Gull on 14th, while an adult was present at Clifford Hill, two days later, on 16th. Pitsford Res held up to three Yellow-legged Gulls between 13th and 17th and, elsewhere, single birds were to be found at Thrapston on 13th and at Clifford Hill the following day.
A report of two adult Arctic Terns at Daventry CP on 15th was unseasonal, to say the least.
Potentially dicing with death, a Bittern was videoed walking along Hardwater Road near Summer Leys on 14th, while the week’s only Cattle Egret was found at Titchmarsh NR before moving to Thrapston GP’s Town Lake.
Ever popular with Ospreys, the latter site’s Elinor Trout Lake produced one on 11th and 17th, and further reports involved two flying north-east over Stanford on 12th, one at Pitsford on 16th and one over Islip the following day. Meanwhile, Marsh Harrier sightings were ticking over with single birds at Harrington AF on 13th, Pitsford on 15th and Summer Leys on 16th-17th.
Having gained considerable momentum over the week, the early autumn Common Redstart rush delivered birds to eleven localities: two in the Brampton Valley, Blueberry Farm (Maidwell), Clifford Hill, Cold Ashby, Gretton, Harrington, Honey Hill, Lilbourne Meadows NR, Old and Summer Leys. Five of these sites produced at least two birds.
Male Common Redstart, Lilbourne Meadows NR, 14th July 2026 (Mike Alibone)Male Common Redstart, Lilbourne Meadows NR, 14th July 2026 (Mike Alibone)Male Common Redstart, Honey Hill, 16th July 2026 (Jon Cook)
In much shorter supply, however, was Northern Wheatear with just the one at Harrington on 11th, while the first of the season’s Stonechats appeared in the Brampton Valley, between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton, on 13th.
In a cooler week with a predominantly westerly airstream the transition from June to July wasn’t half bad, delivering more than expected for the time of year. Still, we’re now into July and migration is on the up, previous years having produced some class birds before the month is out.
But it wasn’t – and probably never will be – the best week for ducks, the last day of the period seeing a female Red-crested Pochard associating with a ‘female-type’ Mallard x Red-crestedPochard hybrid at Ravensthorpe Res on 3rd. Oh dear …
And the impressive Quail year steams on, the Brampton Valley holding at least two singing males during the week, while others were also heard near Weston on 27th and at Stanwick GP on 1st.
Amongst other things, Clifford Hill GP produced the best waders of the week with four Black-tailed Godwits on 29th, followed by five there on 1st.
Black-tailed Godwits, Clifford Hill GP, 29th June 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)
While the 29th and 3rd saw single Yellow-legged Gulls at Pitsford Res, Clifford Hill delivered a first for the year in the shape of two Little Terns, early in the morning on 27th. Sadly, the brief viewing window was limited to the finder and they moved on pretty sharpish …
Little Tern, Clifford Hill GP, 27th June 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)
After flyovers at Thrapston GP/Titchmarsh NR on 4th and 30th May, a White Stork flying south-east between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton was the third for the year. The wait goes on for one on the ground.
The week’s only Bittern was at Summer Leys LNR on 3rd and further dispersal of juvenile Cattle Egrets gave rise to four at Ringstead GP on 28th, two there on 3rd and three at Stanwick on 2nd.
Single Ospreys flew east over Brixworth on 29th and over Thrapston on 1st.
A Golden Oriole heard at Bucknell Wood on 27th remained in the shadows, subsequent to a rumoured, unconfirmed presence at the site since mid-May.
Somewhat more tangible, though, was a juvenile Common Redstart – the first of the ‘autumn’ – at Clifford Hill on 29th, followed by another at Borough Hill on 3rd.
Juvenile Common Redstart, Clifford Hill GP, 29th June 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)
And, most unusual for the time of year, was a male Channel Wagtail, also at Clifford Hill, on 3rd.
Male Channel Wagtail, Clifford Hill GP, 3rd July 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)
It is, of course, late May – historically the peak time for the cream of the spring crop to be produced and, with UK temperatures reaching a record-breaking 35.1°C for May, the heat was on, the week delivering big time with a bird not seen in Northamptonshire for thirty-four years …
But before all that, there is more standard fare – including a fine calibre rare – to go through. More Garganeys came our way, with a drake again at Stanford Res on 24th being quickly followed by a pair at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) the next day, the latter site producing three Red-crested Pochards on 29th.
And following the first of the year last week, another Quail broke silence – this time in the Brampton Valley near Blueberry Farm on 23rd, with likely the same bird again between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 29th.
After three records already this year, the fourth was to be added this week when two Common Cranes flew east from fields near Holcot on 25th. One on the ground would no doubt be much appreciated.
Unsurprisingly, given where we are on the calendar, the week’s waders were much reduced in numbers compared to those of previous weeks. Avocets were seen daily at Summer Leys LNR, peaking at four there on 28th, while one that turned up at Stanford Res on 26th was the first to be seen there since 2017.
Avocet, Stanford Res, 26th May 2026 (Chris Hubbard)
The only other noteworthy wader was a Sanderling at the now rapidly drying out Winter Flood Pools at Lilbourne Meadows NR on 25th.
Sanderling, Lilbourne Meadows NR, 25th May 2026 (Mike Alibone)
A first-summer Little Gull arrived at Summer Leys on 28th, being joined there by another on the following day.
The latter locality also produced a batch of Bittern sightings with singles on 23rd, 25th and 29th, while one was also seen at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR on 23rd and 27th. Cattle Egrets were also in evidence with one in flight over the River Nene at Denford on 23rd, three in fields between Aynho and Clifton on 24th, and one at Clifford Hill GP on 29th.
Fishing or on the fly, the week’s Ospreys were to be seen at Thrapston GP’s Elinor Trout Lake on 23rd and 27th, at Pitsford Res on 24th-25th and at Hollowell Res on 29th and, once again, Marsh Harriers were restricted to a lone male over Stortons GP on 26th-27th.
It’s not often that the period’s passerines knock everything else into a cocked hat but that was clearly the case this week … but it wasn’t all plain sailing from an observer’s point of view. Early morning on 29th gave rise to the discovery of a female Red-backed Shrike at Summer Leys. Seen only briefly, it did not linger, much to the disappointment of the many ready to scramble if the news came through that it was still present. There have been only seven previous county records so far this century, the most recent of which were in 2022 and 2024 and, prior to that, in 2015.
As nice as it might have been, its rarity was totally eclipsed by an entirely different animal altogether. Another early morning discovery in the shape of a singing male Savi’s Warbler was made at Stortons GP on 26th. Initially heard reeling in the reedbed, brown and dandy it made its way close to the top of the reeds on a number of occasions, much to the delight of an appreciative gathering of those who were on site in time to see it before it decided to lay low after mid to late morning. There was a repeat performance the following day but it failed to show to anything like the same extent. And after that? Gone.
Male Savi’s Warbler, Stortons GP, 26th May 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)
With only three previous records – including one present at two localities within the same area of the Nene Valley – this is only the fourth for Northamptonshire and the first for thirty-four years …
Numbers of breeding pairs of Savi’s Warblers in the UK hit thirty in the late 1970s but were running at possibly eight pairs in 2023 (British Birds Rare Breeding Birds Panel, 2024), while Keller et al (2020) showed how the range of Savi’s Warbler has shifted north and east in Europe since the 1980s, with considerable loss of range in western Europe, such as in France. What impact this will have for future records in Northamptonshire and the wider UK remains to be seen.
The week just gone saw a last-minute rise from below- to above-average temperatures as the wind direction swung from north-east to south-west at the end of the period. Spring migrants continued to move through, amongst which was another first for the year …
Not a record-breaker in terms of arrival date but with only three records in 2025, Quail has become somewhat scarce in the county in recent years.
With just three Garganeys to date in 2026, two more made a one-day stopover at Stanford Res on the first day of the week.
Drake Garganey, Stanford Res, 16th May 2026 (Phil West)
And a sprinkling of ‘noc mig’ went into the mix this week when two small groups of Common Scoters were heard in flight, after dark, over Kettering on 18th and at least two were heard over the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton, late on 22nd.
Avocets continued to be seen at Summer Leys, where up to four were present, and in the wider reaches of Earls Barton GP, where up to three were seen on the last day of the period. Passage waders included single Whimbrels at Summer Leys from 16th to 21st and at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (North) on 17th, a Ruff at Summer Leys on16th, five Sanderlings at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on 18th, followed on 20th by one at Clifford Hill GP, where two Wood Sandpipers flew east on 22nd. A Greenshank also visited Summer Leys on 19th.
Whimbrel, Earls Barton GP, 17th May 2026 (Leslie Fox)
The week’s gulls were restricted to a Mediterranean Gull at Summer Leys on 22nd and the usual adult Yellow-legged Gull at Pitsford Res on 16th.
A Glossy Ibis at Stanwick GP’s Main Lake on 16th flew off north-east and the long-stayer at Summer Leys was reported only on 19th, begging the question of both sightings relating to the same individual …
At least one Bittern was present throughout the period at Summer Leys, while one was seen in flight over Barnes Meadow Roundabout, Northampton on 19th. Up to two Cattle Egrets remained at Stanwick until at least 20th.
Fishing or on the fly, Ospreys were viewed over Earls Barton GP on 16th, near Naseby Res on 17th, Hollowell Res on 18th and at Summer Leys on 19th and 22nd while, keeping up weekly appearances, Marsh Harriers were restricted to a male over Stortons GP on 20th.
A Crossbill was at Gamboro Plantation, east of Cottesbrooke on 20th.
And belated news emerged this week of a Hoopoe photographed in a Woodford Halse Garden on 19th April. All three of last year’s records were in April but that’s not to say there won’t be another one before the year’s out …
In a week ending with cold northerlies and below average temperatures, migration took a further tumble and high expectations for a mid-May crowd-puller remained to be met. But there’s still plenty of time and who knows what lies ahead …
Catching up with a Garganey has, so far this spring, been problematic in the light of their scarcity and brevity of stay but Stanwick was again instrumental in delivering another drake on 10th, staying a full three days until 12th and likely accounting for the one seen fleetingly at adjacent Ditchford GP on 11th.
And following a long-stayer at Pitsford Res in the early weeks of the year, plus two together at Daventry CP for one day only, on 25th February, arriving on cue for late spring passage were two pairs of Black-necked Grebes – the first of these at Stanford Res on 8th and the second at Summer Leys LNR on 13th. Neither pair stayed beyond the day on which they were discovered.
Black-necked Grebes, Summer Leys LNR, 13th May 2026 (Alan Coles)
Summer Leys also continued to retain to its varying number of Avocets this week, with three from 9th to 11th, one on 13th, two on 14th and one again on 15th, the same site also producing a Ringed Plover showing characteristics of the race tundrae, colloquially known as Tundra Ringed Plover, on 10th-11th. And apart from one at Braunston’s canalside flood pool on 9th, the week’s only other Whimbrel was also at Summer Leys, from 9th until at least 13th. Other than that, two Turnstones paying a short visit to Clifford Hill GP on 10th were the best of the week’s waders and constituted only the second record for the year so far.
A single Yellow-legged Gull at Pitsford seen on 9th and 13th is all that was mustered on the larid front this week.
The county’s long-staying Glossy Ibis was still sitting pretty at Summer Leys throughout the period.
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 15th May 2026 (Alan Coles)
And there’s no getting away from the fact that Bitterns have risen to prominence this year, being present at a minimum of six localities during spring, so far. Singles were seen at Summer Leys almost daily, at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR on 10th and 14th and in flight along the Nene Valley at Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes & Meadows NR on 15th. All set for residency and confirmation of breeding is now surely just around the corner.
Bittern, Summer Leys LNR, 9th May 2026 (Clive Bowley)
Cattle Egrets come and go. This week’s consisted of up to three daily at Stanwick GP and three between Aynho and Clifton on 15th.
Raptors were limited to single Ospreys over both Pitsford and Earls Barton GP on 10th and at Stanford on 11th, plus a Marsh Harrier at Summer Leys on the latter date.
With rising temperatures, persistent easterlies and migrational momentum moving up a gear, there was no doubt that the week belonged to waders, the Nene Valley being the prime producer in this respect.
Four new summer visitors clocked in this week and, although no new records were set in terms of early arrivals, it seems highly likely that one will have been created by possibly the latest-ever Garganey to appear in the county. And, as we move into May, the latter looks set to become a rare spring commodity this year …
But, as already indicated, waders made up the lion’s share of the week’s best birds on offer. Avocets were again to be found in the Nene Valley, with two showing up at Summer Leys LNR on 26th and again from 29th until the end of the period.
Avocets, Summer Leys LNR, 29th April 2026 (Tony Stanford)
And the second Grey Plover of the year put in a very brief appearance at the latter locality on 29th. Clifford Hill GP remained the prime location for Whimbrel, up to three of which were seen there daily throughout the week, in addition to one flying east there on 28th. Elsewhere, two were at, and around, Summer Leys on 25th and 29th with one there on 27th-28th and 30th-1st, while further singles were picked up flying east over Hanging Houghton on 25th and Stanford Res on 30th, and on the ground at Stanwick GP on 30th and Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on 30th-1st.
Bar-tailed Godwits and Whimbrel, Clifford Hill GP, 28th April 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)
A hike in numbers saw Bar-tailed Godwits hit double figures when ten were present at New Workings (South) on 29th-30th after five having been there on 28th and one subsequently on 30th. Clifford Hill saw nine flying east on 28th, while singles were present at Stanwick on 30th and at Summer Leys on 30th-1st. With the bulk of Black-tailed Godwits passing through earlier in the spring, the week’s tally was restricted to singles at Summer Leys on 28th and 30th.
A small number of Ruffs comprised two at New Workings (South) on 25th and 30th and singles at Summer Leys on 25th, 27th and 30th and at Stanwick on 28th.
Moving into the latter part of the spring traditionally sees the likes of Turnstone and Sanderling turning up and the week duly obliged with singles of the former at Summer Leys, briefly, on 28th and at New Workings (South), equally briefly, on 30th. With May now upon us there should be more to come …
And after the first Wood Sandpiper of the year last week, the floodgates opened and in they came, giving us what is undoubtedly the best spring for this popular little wader in living memory. Running over into this week, the Clifford Hill individual remained until 25th after which there were further sightings there on 27th and 30th and one also visited Lilbourne Meadows NR on 26th. Numbers then ramped up with the arrival of four at New Workings (South) the following day, the same site subsequently producing seven on 28th, rising to nine on 30th, before peaking at a mighty ten on 1st. One found at Summer Leys on 29th increased briefly to four on 30th, followed by one on 1st, while Stanwick got in on the action with two on 28th.
Wood Sandpiper, Earls Barton GP, 30th April 2026 (Mike Alibone)
Meanwhile, not to be left out, Greenshanks were again on the up, with New Workings (South) holding three on 28th, increasing to five on 30th and 1st. Five were also found at Clifford Hill on 28th, four flew east there the following day and one was present on 30th. Stanwick held up to two between 25th and 30th, while two were also at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR between 28th and 30th and singles were to be found in the Brampton Valley near Brixworth on 27th and at Lilbourne Meadows on 30th and 1st.
And following last week’s modest number of Little Gulls, a further trickle ensued with a first-summer at Summer Leys on 27th being followed by an adult there the next day before another adult arrived on 1st and a near-adult was present at Stanwick on 28th-29th.
Adult Little Gull, Summer Leys LNR, 1st May 2026 (Alan Coles)
Summer Leys was also the place to be for lingering adult Mediterranean Gulls with two on 26th and 28th, one or two on 30th and one on 1st, while a third-year Yellow-legged Gull was at Pitsford Res on 27th – the only one the site could muster during the period.
A flurry of Arctic Terns resulted in better numbers than in the previous week, the 28th giving rise to the majority of birds passing through. On this date, at least eight were present at Titchmarsh NR, a ‘small flock’ appeared briefly at Summer Leys, two were at Pitsford and singles visited Boddington Res and Stanwick. The 29th saw three flying east over Clifford Hill and one at Summer Leys, while one flew north over Daventry CP on 1st. But it was a dismal showing for Black Terns during the period with just single birds at Summer Leys between 28th and 1st, Clifford Hill on 29th and Ravensthorpe on 29th and 1st.
Black Tern, Summer Leys LNR, 29th April 2026 (Tony Stanford)
The county’s long-staying Glossy Ibis saw another week out at Summer Leys, visiting the wider reaches of the Earls Barton GP complex on occasions.
Bitterns seem to have dug their heels in firmly at Titchmarsh, where at least one was present throughout, while one was also discovered at Stortons GP on 27th. And Cattle Egrets rallied with a decent double-figure presence involving eleven birds together at Stanwick on 25th, four near Wappenham on 1st, two in flight over Clifford Hill on 29th, where one had been present the day before, two again at Stanwick also on 29th and one at New Workings (South) on 25th and 30th.
Cattle Egret, Earls Barton GP, 25th April 2026 (Leslie Fox)
On the raptor front, single Ospreys were seen over Hollowell, Pitsford and Stanwick on 25th, Great Oxendon on 26th, Thrapston on 28th and at both New Workings (South) and at private lake near Oundle on 1st, while clinging on to weekly appearances were Marsh Harriers at New Workings (North) on 26th and over Boddington on 30th.
And passerines? Well, finding a Wood Warbler in Northants these days is no mean feat given that they have undergone a long-term population decline equivalent to an 81% decrease from 1995 to 2023. A singing male alongside the River Nene at Clifford Hill on 29th was, therefore, a much-appreciated discovery. Although it retains its annual visitor status, how much longer will this last?
Wood Warbler, Clifford Hill GP, 29th April 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)Wood Warbler, Clifford Hill GP, 29th April 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)
A female Ring Ouzel in fields between Ecton and Earls Barton on 25th melted away immediately after having been found. And with just two – singles at both Blueberry Farm and Cotton End Park, Long Buckby, on 25th – Common Redstarts were on the wane this week. Incoming, though, were Whinchats, with the first of the year between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton in the Brampton Valley on 25th, followed by another in the same area on 1st.
Male Whinchat, Brampton Valley, 25th April 2026 (Bob Bullock)
Compared to last week, the total of Northern Wheatears was reduced to little more than a trickle. Five at Harrington AF on 30th was a decent enough number but, elsewhere, singles only were at Welford Res on 25th, Clifford Hill on 27th and at New Workings (South) on 1st, while one at Stanwick on 28th showed characteristics of the Greenland race leucorhoa.
A ‘blue-headed’ type Yellow Wagtail was at Clifford Hill on 29th, while the week’s White Wagtails were represented by three at Titchmarsh NR on 28th and one at Lilbourne Meadows on 30th.
A mixed bag of weather ushered in five new summer visitors, while the week ended on a relatively cool note.
This year’s first Common Redstart is the earliest ever … by a clear four days.
With wildfowl firmly on the move, two adult Whooper Swans at Thrapston GP on the last day of the period are the only ones since 2nd and 3rd Jan, when singles were present at Hollowell Res and Clifford Hill GP, respectively.
Whooper Swans, Thrapston GP, 27th March 2026 (Bob Bullock)
And after an apparent absence of eighteen days, the Nene Valley Ring-necked Duck was back again at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR on 23rd and 24th – its ability to disappear for long periods is uncanny and unmatched. More Common Scoters paid the county a visit this week, with a drake at Titchmarsh NR on 22nd and two at Clifford Hill the following day.
The period’s waders included three Black-tailed Godwits at Titchmarsh NR on 23rd and a run of Ruffs, comprising seven at Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes & Meadows NR on 23rd-24th, dropping to one there on 26th, two at Earls Barton GP on 21st and singles at Summer Leys LNR on 21st and 27th.
Ruff, Summer Leys LNR, 27th March 2026 (Leslie Fox)
Two Jack Snipes were at Upton CP on 22nd and two at Ditchford the following day.
Hot on the heels of last week’s Kittiwakes were three or four more – all adults – at Thrapston GP on 26th-27th and at both Clifford Hill and Ravensthorpe, also on 27th. Nice but trivial in comparison to flocks of seventeen and forty-five over two sites in adjacent Buckinghamshire on 26th … A Mediterranean Gull visited Hardingstone GP on 23rd, the week’s only Caspian Gull was at Hollowell Res on 27th, while a single adult Yellow-legged Gull remained at Pitsford Res on 23rd and 25th.
The Red-throated Diver at Hollowell extended its stay there by yet another week.
Although seen almost daily up to 26th, there were no further reports of the Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys thereafter.
The period’s Cattle Egrets were limited to three together on farmland immediately north-east of Ringstead GP’s Kinewell Lake, on 27th.
Following the first Ospreys last week, two more flyovers passed Pitsford on 25th and Boddington Res, two days later, on 27th. Marsh Harriers fanned out a bit, single birds being seen at Earls Barton on 21st, Titchmarsh on 23rd-24th, over Irthlingborough and at Ditchford GP on 23rd, at Summer Leys on 23rd and 27th, at Stanwick GP on 24th and Clifford Hill on 26th.
Marsh Harrier, Summer Leys LNR, 23rd March 2026 (Alan Coles)
And aside from the aforementioned incoming passerines, a Black Redstart stuck rigidly to the species’ rules of late and turned up … yep … in a private garden, this time in Kettering. More Northern Wheatears were likely on the cards and they duly arrived – two at Clopton on 25th and singles near Everdon and at Harrington AF on 26th and at Clifford Hill on 27th.
On 23rd, a Scandinavian Rock Pipit paid a brief visit to Summer Leys, much to the delight of local photographers being in the right place at the right time. A smart bird and the first this year of a species which has become increasingly difficult to connect with in the county in recent years.
Scandinavian Rock Pipit, Summer Leys LNR, 23rd March 2026 (Russell Simpson)
Which just leaves Crossbills, singles of which were seen at Pitsford 22nd and Hollowell on 24th.
A high pressure system over the country in the latter part of the week gave rise to above average temperatures and saw the wind direction change from south westerlies to an airflow with an easterly bias. Four new species were added to the county yearlist, only two of which were summer visitors …
And while there were no early birds, both Osprey and Northern Wheatear clocked on in an expectedly timely fashion.
Numbers of wildfowl took a tumble, the only birds of note being eleven White-fronted Geese which dropped in, briefly, at Ringstead GP on the last day of the week.
Barely had we passed mid-March and the second Common Crane of the year was notched up – another flyover and again at the eastern end of the county – this time at Lyveden New Bield, between Brigstock and Stoke Doyle, on 20th.
And Ravensthorpe’s Slavonian Grebe completed a 26-day stay on 17th, after which there were no further reports.
On the wader front, the second and third Avocet records for the year were not totally unexpected and included one at Pitsford Res on 15th, followed by one at Earls Barton GP on 18th being joined there by another the next day.
Avocets, Earls Barton GP, 19th March 2026 (Leslie Fox)
Summer Leys produced all the period’s Black-tailed Godwits, with one on 14th, sixteen on 17th and at least one on 19th.
Black-tailed Godwits, Summer Leys LNR, 17th March 2026 (James Underwood)
Further down the Nene Valley, five Ruffs at Ditchford GP’s Townholme Meadows constituted another first for the year on 20th, while single Jack Snipes were seen at Hollowell Res between 15th and 20th and at Pitsford on the latter date. Pitsford also continued to hold on to its wintering Common Sandpiper, seen only sporadically but still present on the causeway there on 19th.
And just over two weeks after the first Kittiwake of the year came six together, at Pitsford, on 16th, while the period’s only Mediterranean Gull – a first-winter – visited Stanford Res on three consecutive days from 14th. Other gulls were available, of course, including two second-winter Caspian Gulls at Clifford Hill GP on 15th, two adults at Hollowell on 18th and a single adult at Ravensthorpe on the same date. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was present at Pitsford on 16th-17th and two visited Ravensthorpe on 18th.
The Red-throated Diver at Hollowell extended its stay there by another week.
And the Summer Leys Glossy Ibis similarly saw another week out on site.
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 17th March 2026 (James Underwood)Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 20th March 2026 (Leslie Fox)
The latter location also produced sightings of Bittern on 14th and 19th, while a Cattle Egret scraped into the period, appearing at Kislingbury GP on the first of these two dates.
Flying high north over Harrington AF on 18th, the year’s first Osprey was quickly followed by another over Hollowell two days later, on 20th. No doubt there’ll be many more to come … And now part of the furniture, it seems, Marsh Harriers were still around at Summer Leys, where single birds were seen on 14th, 16th and 18th, with two present on 17th. Nearby, in the wider reaches of Earls Barton GP, singles were at Quarry Walk on 14th and at New Workings (South) on 20th. A ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier flew west over Harrington AF on 16th.
And the week’s other first summer visitor arrived on 17th in the shape of a smart male Northern Wheatear at Clifford Hill GP, hot on the tail of which were three more – all males – the following day, at Blueberry Hill Maidwell, in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton, and at Harrington AF.
Male Northern Wheatear, Clifford Hill GP, 17th March 2026 (Mike Alibone)
An early spring White Wagtail was found on a manure heap between Earls Barton and Ecton on 20th and the only Water Pipit so far this year flew over, calling, at Pitsford on the same date.
It’s been a tremendous winter – and indeed last year – for Crossbills and they are still with us, one being seen at Gamboro Plantation, east of Cottesbrooke, on 14th, five over Denton Wood, Yardley Chase on 16th and several at Pitsford Res on 20th.
A westerly to south-westerly bias to the wind direction this week may not have been in the best interest of migrants from the deep south but there were signs of the beginning of a winter goose clear-out, while some of the county’s recent scarcer visitors sat tight.
New in, however, was an early bird in the shape of a Whimbrel – the first of the year – at Clifford Hill GP on 7th.
This individual proved itself a record-breaker, comfortably beating the county’s previous earliest of one over Ravensthorpe Res on 10th March 2012. While by and large classed as a summer visitor, the UK supports a very small, but growing, wintering population with a concentration along the south coast of England, as well as some in Southern Ireland.
The week’s geese included a Pink-footed Goose found between Chipping Warden and West Farndon on 8th – the same date being the last on which the long-staying Tundra Bean Goose, along with its supporting cast of up to twenty-three White-fronted Geese, was seen at Ringstead GP. With regard to the latter species, the Stanwick seven were, appropriately enough, last seen on 7th, while the settled flock of up to thirty-seven remained in the vicinity of Stanford on Avon until the week’s end.
The female Ruddy Shelduck was still present at Lilbourne Meadows up to 9th but was not reported thereafter, the same being applicable to the drake Smew at Clifford Hill GP. New in, however, were two Common Scoters making a short stopover at Daventry CP, also on 9th and on the back of an inland movement across the Midlands and Northern England.
Common Scoters, Daventry CP, 9th March 2026 (Gary Pullan)
Having moved to Ditchford GP, last week’s Red-necked Grebe continued to prove elusive, having shifted to Big Lake there on 10th, the week’s only sighting, and there were no subsequent reports. By stark contrast, Ravensthorpe’s Slavonian Grebe extended its stay, being seen daily throughout the period.
Slavonian Grebe, Ravensthorpe Res, 13th March 2026 (Jim Urwin)
And aside from the aforementioned Whimbrel, the week’s prime waders were limited to a Black-tailed Godwit on floods in the Welland Valley near Harringworth on 7th and a Jack Snipe at Hollowell Res on 9th.
Mediterranean Gulls, part of the March movement menu, included a first-winter in the roost at Stanford Res on 8th-9th, an adult at Daventry on 10th and 12th and a first-winter at Hollowell on 13th.
Adult Mediterranean Gull, Daventry CP, 10th March 2026 (Gary Pullan)
Three Caspian Gulls – an adult and two third-winters – were at Clifford Hill GP on 7th, followed by a second-winter there on 9th, while an adult visited Earls Barton GP’s New Workings on 13th. The week’s sole Yellow-legged Gull was an adult at Clifford Hill on 7th.
Attracting scant attention after nearly five weeks in residence, the Red-throated Diver remained settled at Hollowell throughout the period.
Red-throated Diver, Hollowell Res, 13th March 2026 (Jon Cook)
And while the Glossy Ibis continued to busy itself at Summer Leys for yet another week, further down the Nene Valley three Cattle Egrets turned up at Stanwick on 7th before one was subsequently found on floodwater at Oundle on 13th.
Sticking with said valley, Marsh Harriers continued their presence at the hub which is Summer Leys, where at least two were seen – including the frequently present first-year male, wing-tagged ‘J4’ – between 10th and 12th. Elsewhere, singles were found at nearby Earls Barton GP’s New Workings on 9th and at Stanwick on 7th.
Marsh Harrier, Summer Leys LNR, 10th March 2026 (Alan Coles)
In the Brampton Valley, a ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier flew south-east between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 8th.
The week’s passerines were seriously thin on the ground, with just a small number of Crossbills at Harlestone Firs on 7th and five Corn Buntings between Deanshanger and Wicken on 9th.
We crossed the line into meteorological spring this week and to mark it came the first summer visitors of the year, aided and abetted by the continuing southerly airstream. Two additional firsts for the year also made their way to the county and with winter now firmly in recession, it’s time to reflect on some quality birds while at same time looking forward to what’s on the immediate horizon.
Yes, the summer visitor clock has again started ticking, spring is beginning to unfold …and not a moment too soon.
First up, predictably, was Sand Martin, with the initial arrival of three at Thrapston GP on 1st, quickly followed by one at Priors Hall, Corby on 3rd, two at Pitsford Res on 5th and, on 6th, three near Oundle and sixteen at Thrapston. But no sooner had this initial rush began than we saw a record-breaker in the shape of two Little Ringed Plovers at Clifford Hill GP on 4th, beating the county’s previous earliest, on 7th March in 2021, by a clear three days.
However, we’re not done with winter just yet – and what a winter it’s been. Class wildfowl continue to dominate with the Tundra Bean Goose seeing out another week in company with twenty-three White-fronted Geese in the Denford/Ringstead area.
Tundra Bean Goose, Denford, 28th February 2026 (James Underwood)Tundra Bean Goose, Denford, 28th February 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)
Other White-fronted Geese also remained settled in certain favoured localities, the largest concentration being up to thirty-eight at Stanford on Avon throughout the period. Eighteen lingered by the River Nene at Warmington Mill until at least 1st and seven extended their stay by another week at Stanwick GP.
White-fronted Geese, Stanford on Avon, 2nd March 2026 (Mike Alibone)White-fronted Geese, Stanford on Avon, 4th March 2026 (Mike Alibone)
Appearing on and off across a range of sites in northwestern Northants, the annually wintering female Ruddy Shelduck dropped into Lilbourne Meadows NR on 4th, remaining there until the end of the week.
The drake Ring-necked Duck continued to attract interest at Ringstead GP, where it was showing until at least 5th.
Drake Ring-necked Duck, Ringstead GP, 28th February 2026 (James Underwood)Drake Ring-necked Duck, Ringstead GP, 28th February 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)
Likewise, the drake Lesser Scaup held out on the River Nene at Clifford Hill GP until the same date, while the long-staying drake Smew also enjoyed another week on the lakes there.
Drake Lesser Scaup, Clifford Hill GP, 3rd March 2026 (Bob Bullock)
Having spent a full seven days at Ringstead, last week’s Red-necked Grebe was nowhere to be seen after the 28th until, that is, it resurfaced on 4th a mere 8 km up the river valley at Ditchford GP, where it was still present at the week’s end.
Red-necked Grebe, Ringstead GP, 28th February 2026 (James Underwood)Red-necked Grebe, Ringstead GP, 28th February 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)
And the previous week’s Slavonian Grebe was still present at Ravensthorpe Res on the first day of the period, remaining there throughout the week. Despite appearing to have gone missing for the five days, 21st-25th February, it has proven itself a skulker, hiding in overhanging vegetation, where it can easily be overlooked.
Slavonian Grebe, Ravensthorpe Res, 2nd March 2026 (Mike Alibone)
Although not a summer visitor, further representing waders as another first for the year were two Avocets at Earls Barton GP on 3rd, alongside other inland sightings in the UK during the week.
Avocets, Earls Barton GP, 3rd March 2026 (Leslie Fox)
Other waders were on offer, even if thin on the ground, including a Black-tailed Godwit at Summer Leys LNR on 2nd, the same date also producing three Jack Snipes at Daventry CP and two at Hollowell. Classed as a summer visitor, although odd birds appear locally in winter, a Common Sandpiper at Pitsford on 5th was no doubt the wintering individual seen sporadically there during past weeks.
And another new bird for the year this week was an adult Kittiwake which spent a short period of time at Summer Leys on 28th. More to come, no doubt.
Adult Kittiwake, Summer Leys LNR, 28th February 2026 (Tyler Atkinson)
Sticking with larids, March begins to see spring movements of Mediterranean Gulls taking place, the 4th giving rise to two adults in the roost at Stanford Res and two – also adults – at Summer Leys. One of the latter two carried a metal ring on its right leg and was back on site, alone, on 6th.
Caspian Gulls were present at Earls Barton GP, where there was a first-winter on 28th, down the road at Summer Leys, where the settled adult remained between 28th and 5th, and at Hollowell, where there was an adult on 2nd and two adults on 5th. A single adult Yellow-legged Gull was still to be found at Pitsford on 2nd.
The Red-throated Diver, now in its fourth week, remained throughout the period, being seen at both Hollowell and Ravensthorpe, although apparently having now developed a preference for the first of these two sites.
Back in the Nene Valley, Summer Leys continued to retain its showy Glossy Ibis, while a Bittern was caught on a trail camera at Ditchford GP’s Rushden Lakes and four Cattle Egrets visited Thrapston/Titchmarsh NR on 4th.
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 28th February 2026 (James Underwood)
The recent flurry of Marsh Harriers calmed somewhat with singles at Summer Leys on 28th, 1st, 3rd and 6th and one at Stanwick on the last of these dates.
And propped up by the Daventry Siberian Chiffchaff on 2nd and 5th, the week’s passerines were at a low ebb with just four Stonechats at Ringstead GP on 1st and singles at Lilbourne Meadows on 1st and at Hollowell on 5th. Compared to recent weeks, the number of Crossbills dwindled to singles over Ravensthorpe Res on 3rd and at Scotland Wood, Kelmarsh on 5th.
Northants birds 