Birding – Page 3 – Northants birds

Newsround – 12th to 18th October 2024

Posted on October 20, 2024 by Mike Alibone

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)

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 …

Newsround – 28th September to 11th October 2024

Posted on October 12, 2024 by Mike Alibone

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.

Juvenile Gannets, Irthlingborough Lakes & Meadows LNR, Ditchford GP, 2nd October 2024 (Tony Vials)

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.

Newsround – 21st to 27th September 2024

Posted on September 28, 2024 by Mike Alibone

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, 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)

Caspian Gull, yellow-legged gull, or hybrid?

Posted on July 27, 2024 by Mike Alibone

In the world of gulls, things aren’t always what they seem …

And so it was with the apparent ‘Caspian’ Gull at DIRFT 3 on 23rd July. This bird was part of a day-roosting flock of approximately 150 large gulls, which also included 7 Yellow-legged Gulls. Based on structure alone, this bird was within the Caspian camp but there were some anomalies when it came to plumage and, potentially, leg colour.

Adult possible Caspian Gull x Yellow-legged Gull hybrid, DIRFT 3, 23rd July 2024 (Mike Alibone)

The upperparts and upper wings were darker than normal ‘western’ Caspian and as dark as nearby Yellow-legged Gulls, the legs dull/pale yellowish, flesh-coloured feet, it showed extensive black on the outer primaries while three inner primaries had been replaced with new ones which were still growing.

According to Malling Olsen & Larsson (Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America, 2004), these features seemed to fit reasonably well with Caspian Gulls from the eastern part of the species’ range. It did not go all the way to being a different race, not fitting barabensis in terms of the latter’s more compact structure, precise primary pattern and more intense yellow bare part colour.

After posting the images included here on the Western Palearctic Gulls Facebook page, out of 26 likes/comments, 4 were pro-Yellow-legged Gull and one pro-Caspian.

I also consulted Carl Baggott (Leicestershire Recorder and renowned gull expert). Here’s his take on it:

“Interesting looking beast. I can see where you are coming from, but it might be better to think of something closer to hand. Yellow-legged Gull is the most likely and I have seen some very Caspian Gull like birds in southern Europe. As you have gathered, the amount of black in the primaries is too extensive for a cachinnans, but it falls within the range of barabensis or michahellis. The leg colour is a bit insipid for a michahellis but within variation. The long legged small headed appearance can also be a result of the bird being a bit malnourished. Head moult can also alter a gull’s appearance. Can’t be certain but I would lean towards YLG. Another thing that seems to be an issue is Birdflu as some adult HGs now have black eyes and this might be affecting YLGs as well.”

However, given its Caspian-like features (parallel-sided bill, more gently curved distal part of upper mandible, consistently flattened head and long, sloping forehead, plus general jizz) I don’t think Caspian x Yellow-legged can be entirely ruled out, as hybrids have been recorded where the ranges of the two species overlap.

Carl kindly commented further:

“The hybrid idea may well be the answer.”

“ However, the long legs and flattish head do suggest Caspian Gull, but this isn’t always cast iron. There are a lot of YLGs in Eastern Europe and so hybrid Caspian x YLG should exist. I just can’t 100% rule out an odd ball YLG.”

Any further opinions welcomed …

Newsround – 6th to 12th July 2024

Posted on July 13, 2024 by Mike Alibone

A somewhat unsettled week, weatherwise, delivered a varied selection of migrants across the board, with passerines pushing to make a comeback.

Settled back in one of its favoured localities was the female Ruddy Shelduck, at Winwick Pools, on the last two days of the period.

Female Ruddy Shelduck, Winwick Pools, 11th July 2024 (James Urwin)

Once again, wader passage was dominated by Black-tailed Godwits which continued to drop in for short periods at a number of locations. Clifford Hill GP was the host to the most, producing nine on 6th, one on 9th and twenty-four on 12th, followed by Summer Leys LNR, which delivered ten on 6th and 7th, two on 9th and eight on 10. Smaller numbers included six flying east over Daventry CP on 10th, two at Stanwick GP on 6th and singles at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh LNR on 8th, Stanford Res on 9th and Lilbourne Meadows NR on 12th.

Black-tailed Godwits, Summer Leys LNR, 6th July 2024 (Ricky Sinfield)

Black-tailed Godwit, Stanford Res, 9th July 2024 (Chris Hubbard)

Black-tailed Godwits, Summer Leys LNR, 9th July 2024 (Tony Stanford)

Black-tailed Godwits, Clifford Hill GP, 12th July 2024 (Tyler Atkinson)

Two sites yielded Wood Sandpipers – a short-stayer dropping in briefly at Summer Leys on 6th and another completing a one-day stay at Lilbourne Meadows on 9th.

Wood Sandpiper, Lilbourne Meadows NR, 9th July 2024 (Mike Alibone)

The latter site also produced the week’s only Greenshank, also on 9th.

Greenshank, Lilbourne Meadows NR, 9th July 2024 (Mike Alibone)

On the larid front, a lone adult Yellow-legged Gull was at Pitsford Res on 9th, following one, or the same, there last week, on 30th. But, continuing what appears to be turning into a good year for the species, two more Little Terns put in an appearance at Clifford Hill GP, also on 9th. There have been five previous records so far this year.

Cattle Egrets maintained a low profile with two, possibly three, birds – all juveniles – that included one at Stanwick on 8th and one at both Summer Leys and at nearby Earls Barton GP on 11th.

Passerines were well represented for early July. A Black Redstart was found at Harrington AF on 8th, followed by a second bird discovered there the next day. Surprisingly, these are the first for 2024 and this year is the first this century that we have had no spring records. Up to three Common Redstarts – all males – hung on from last week at Lilbourne Meadows until at least 11th, two were at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 8th-9th, with one there on 12th and one was at Woodford Halse NR on 9th-10th.

Male Common Redstart, Lilbourne Meadows NR, 8th July 2024 (Jon Cook)

The first Whinchat of the autumn, a male, put in a brief appearance by the River Nene, close to Earls Barton GP on 10th.

Male Whinchat, Earls Barton GP, 10th July 2024 (Aamir Aziz Mughal)

Newsround – 22nd to 28th June 2024

Posted on June 28, 2024June 28, 2024 by Mike Alibone

The movement of the jet stream to the north of the UK brought us a settled and dry week with temperatures reaching the high twenties for three consecutive days, thereby designated a heatwave. But one bird in particular generated heat of a different kind in the northern reaches of the county, up on the border with Leicestershire …

And it certainly wasn’t the female Ruddy Shelduck which, after its usual protracted absence at this time of the year, was back at Hollowell Res on 28th. Nor was it the Red-crested Pochard at Pitsford Res on the same date.

Following last week’s call for a Common Quail in the county, and after the suggestion that there may potentially be a long wait in the offing, as if by magic, three came along at once. Unlike buses, though, they were not easy to catch up with, or so it seems. On the evening of 25th, two males were singing north of Walgrave with one reportedly still present the following evening and two again on 28th. Meanwhile, another was discovered singing less than 5 km to the north-west, at Harrington AF, also on 26th.

A quick review of past occurrences suggests they are holding steady after a sharp peak in records between the late ‘80s and late ‘90s and there have been only four blank years in the last 55 years, namely 1985 and a run in 1973-75.

And while the aforementioned species is arriving, waders are on their way back. Against a countywide backcloth of smaller numbers of Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpipers and Dunlin, an impressive flock of thirty summer-plumaged Black-tailed Godwits dropped in at Stanwick GP’s Main Lake on the last day of the week.

Sticking with Stanwick, three Mediterranean Gulls – two adults and a first-summer – flew south-west over the site on 25th, while a sub-adult Yellow-legged Gull visited Stanford Res on the same date.

It’s not too late for a spring Little Tern and, to prove it, one was found mobile around Hollowell on 22nd – the fifth for the county this year.

Little Tern, Hollowell Res, 22nd June 2024 (Jon Cook)

Bitterns continued to be seen at two sites, while Cattle Egrets maintained a low profile with singles at Stanwick on 27th and Earls Barton GP the following day.

It was all quiet on the Osprey front, too, with singles at Pitsford on 25th-26th and 28th, and at Hollowell on the latter date, while a total of six young birds from nests in the county were ringed on 26th. This week’s Marsh Harrier was last week’s Marsh Harrier – a standout, abraded individual that again visited Stanwick GP on 24th.

Although set to tantalise and tease, the birding gods smiled on Northamptonshire – albeit momentarily – this week when a female Red-backed Shrike was found in the southern extremity of Leicestershire, just north of Cottingham. Discovered early in the morning of 23rd, it remained on the wrong side of the line until mid-afternoon, when it briefly border-hopped into our own good county before promptly returning to Leicestershire.

Female Red-backed Shrike, Cottingham, 23rd June 2024 (Steve Nichols)

Following the popular 2022 juvenile at Duston, this is only the fifteenth record for the county since 1971. In some respects, the occurrence of this week’s bird is not really out of context, given the phenomenal numbers recorded in the UK during late spring. The overwhelming majority were along the east coast, from Kent to Shetland, with more than 350 being recorded during the last ten days of May alone.

Newsround – 25th to 31st May 2024

Posted on June 1, 2024 by Mike Alibone

While stuck mournfully under a slow-moving low pressure system, there were still birds out there to brighten up an otherwise dull week. Among these were two at opposite ends of the spectrum: a settled, singing male Wood Warbler throughout the period and, by contrast, a fleeting visit by Britain’s rarest breeding raptor – if it can still be called that …

We can, however, afford to gloss over the well out of season appearance of a Pink-footed Goose at Stanford Res on 28th and move swiftly on to the discovery on 25th of a smart drake Garganey at Lilbourne Meadows NR, where it remained throughout the week. Another – or perhaps the same individual on an awayday – visited Stanford, only 5.5 km distant as the duck flies, on 30th.

Drake Garganey, Lilbourne Meadows NR, 29th May 2024 (Mike Alibone)

Meanwhile, Earls Barton GP’s long-staying drake Red-crested Pochard remained at the site’s New Workings (North) on 25th.

In stark contrast to the previous one, this week was left wanting, though, when it came to waders. It was down solely to just two Sanderlings at Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes & Meadows NR (IL&M) on 30th to prop up the group over the period.

Continuing to prove difficult to catch up with so far this year, another fly-through Sandwich Tern – the third for 2024 – cruised south over Hollowell Res without stopping on 26th, while late in to Stanford on 31st was a first-summer Arctic Tern.

First-summer Arctic Tern, Stanford Res, 31st May 2024 (Chris Hubbard)

Characteristically more obliging, however, were two Black Terns – one at Summer Leys LNR on 30th and the other at IL&M on 30th-31st.

Black Tern, Summer Leys LNR, 30th May 2024 (Alan Coles)

While Bitterns were again at two localities during the week, Cattle Egrets put in appearances at four, which included singles at Stanwick GP, Summer Leys and Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh LNR – all on 27th, four over Clifford Hill GP on 29th and two again at Summer Leys on 30th. Breeding seems likely to be on the cards … somewhere.

Cattle Egrets, Clifford Hill GP, 28th May 2024 (Tyler Atkinson)

Now becoming fashionably late, Short-eared Owls maintained their unseasonally high profile as they continued to linger into the final days of spring. One was up and about at Harrington AF on 25th and 28th, another put in daily appearances at Summer Leys between 27th and 30th and a third bird was seen at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 28th.

Short-eared Owl, Summer Leys LNR, 27th May 2024 (Ricky Sinfield)

And this week’s raptors were thin on the ground or, more precisely, in the air. But what was missing in quantity was made up for handsomely by quality. A Marsh Harrier was an unusual site visitor to Hollowell Res on 30th.

First-summer Marsh Harrier, Hollowell Res, 30th May 2024 (Jon Cook)

While this species may seem somewhat run-of-the-mill these days, a significant turn-up for the books this week emerged in the form of a nifty Montagu’s Harrier winging its way over farmland, just east of Bozeat, on the evening of 26th. Caught on camera by just one lucky observer, it was not seen again, despite subsequent visits to the area.

First-summer female Montagu’s Harrier, Bozeat, 26th May 2024 (Andy Howell)

This bird, only the eighteenth record for Northamptonshire, ties in nicely with a number of reports of others seen in the UK this year from late April and throughout May.

The overwhelming majority of previous county records have fallen into the same fly-by category but local birders of a certain vintage will no doubt have vivid recollections and fond memories of the bird which stuck around in the vicinity of Harrington AF for a week during May 1994. The presence of a male just over the border at Juniper Hill, Oxfordshire was hushed up during its stay in 2008 but it was seen in Northants on at least 4 dates in May of that year. Montagu’s Harrier is now Britain’s rarest ‘breeding’ raptor although, despite significant conservation efforts, it has not bred in the UK since 2019.

Unlike the above species, however, the bird of the week in terms of sheer popularity was a singing male Wood Warbler, on show to all comers at Harry’s Park Wood throughout the period.

Male Wood Warbler, Harry’s Park Wood, 25th May 2024 (James Underwood)

Male Wood Warbler, Harry’s Park Wood, 25th May 2024 (Bob Bullock)

Male Wood Warbler, Harry’s Park Wood, 29th May 2024 (Alan Coles)

Male Wood Warbler, Harry’s Park Wood, 29th May 2024 (Nick Parker)

Having bred locally on occasions in the past, records over the last quarter century throw up a pattern of occurrence depicting a bird of consistent rarity, averaging less than two per year in the county.

Furthermore, the outlook for this species is bleak. The national Breeding Birds Survey shows a considerable and continuing decline, with a 76% decrease in the UK breeding population between 1995 and 2020 and declines also evident across northern and western Europe since 1980. It is now red-listed in the UK (BTO).

Newsround – 16th to 22nd December 2023

Posted on December 23, 2023December 23, 2023 by Mike Alibone

Ending with the winter solstice, above average temperatures, and ‘Storm Pia’ packing a punch through its delivery of strong north-westerly gales, the week just gone turned out to be one of somewhat diminishing returns.

In fact, we were well down on wildfowl this week with just the first-winter drake Greater Scaup at Pitsford Res standing as the sole representative of the period.

In the Nene Valley, a Jack Snipe at Ditchford GP on 18th was the only wader of note.

Gulls continued to provide a staple source of interest with one of the two previous day’s first-winter Mediterranean Gulls again in the roost at Stanford Res on 16th, while an adult visited Daventry CP on 18th and 22nd.

Adult Mediterranean Gull, Daventry CP, 22nd December 2023 (Gary Pullan)

Stanford’s roost also pulled in an adult Caspian Gull on 22nd and further adults were found at DIRFT 3 on 20th and at Rushton Recycling Centre – the site of the now defunct landfill – on 20th and 22nd. On the first of these two dates there was an apparent adult Caspian Gull x Herring Gull hybrid also present. Colloquially known in some quarters as ‘Cactus Gull’, aptly named by the derivation from cachinnans x argentatus, conclusively resolving the identification of such individuals can often present quite a thorny problem.

Apparent adult Caspian Gull x Herring Gull hybrid, Rushton Recycling Centre, 20th December 2023 (Mike Alibone)

The week’s Yellow-legged Gull slot was filled by single adults in the roost at Stanford on 16th, at Pitsford on 16th-17th and at Daventry CP on 22nd, while a second-winter was at Wicksteed Park Lakes, Kettering on 16th, two first-winters visited Pitsford on 17th and two adults were found at DIRFT 3 on 20th.

Second-winter Yellow-legged Gull, Wicksteed Park, Kettering, 16th December 2023 (James Underwood)

After apparently flying off on 10th, the (or a) juvenile Great Northern Diver was back at Pitsford on 16th, where it remained until at least 21st. With year-round disturbance through various recreational activities south of the causeway having reached an all-time high in recent years, this bird must be a glutton for punishment …

On 22nd a Bittern was found at Fawsley Park Lakes, an unusual site for this species but consistent with the gradual increase in numbers recorded in the county of late. Five sites appeared to produce Cattle Egrets this week. Eight were reported by the River Nene from Nine Arches Bridge at Thrapston on 16th, when seven were also seen at Stanwick GP and two remained at Stanford on Avon. One extended its stay at Wicksteed Water Meadows throughout the period and one was seen in flight over the A45 near Wellingborough on 18th.

Cattle Egret, Stanford on Avon, 16th December 2023 (Jon Cook)

Cattle Egrets, Stanford on Avon, 16th December 2023 (Jon Cook)

Cattle Egret, Wicksteed Water Meadows, Kettering, 16th December 2023 (James Underwood)

The period’s Marsh Harriers were restricted to singles at Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes & Meadows NR on 18th and Thrapston’s Titchmarsh LNR two days later, on 20th. Once again, a single Nene Valley drifter may well have accounted for both sightings. Also on the harrier front, the ringtail Hen Harrier, found last week north of Irthlingborough, appeared settled and was seen daily in the vicinity of Neville’s Lodge, Finedon, where a second bird was also seen on 16th.

The same site hosted up to three Short-eared Owls throughout and a male Merlin was also there on 20th, while further Merlins were seen at Ditchford on 18th and near Lamport Hall the following day.

Male Stonechat, Summer Leys LNR, 16th December 2023 (John Bass)

Female Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 22nd December 2023 (Leslie Fox)

A paucity of passerines this week saw Stonechats down to twos at Pitsford on 16th, Ditchford on 18th, near Lamport on 19th and at Summer Leys LNR all week, while one was present at Earls Barton GP on 22nd.

Crossbills, Wakerley Great Wood, 20th December 2023 (Chris Sidebottom)

Male Crossbill, Wakerley Great Wood, 20th December 2023 (Chris Sidebottom)

On 20th, two Crossbills were found at Lamport and up to twenty at Wakerley Great Wood on the same date maintained the species presence there into another week.