A sustained southerly airstream rendered the first week of November considerably mild, weatherwise, and arguably, the same could be said regarding the period’s birds – certainly from a new arrivals perspective. However, there was still plenty to see in terms of hangers-on, including the Lesser Scaup – now seemingly settled at Ditchford – continuing as the main attraction, proving popular with locals and visitors alike.
Yes, bold as brass on Ditchford GP’s ‘Big Lake’, little more than a hop, skip and a jump from the busy Rushden Lakes Shopping Centre car park, the drake Lesser Scaup remained throughout the week, currently looking like it could be set to see the winter out. In the world of birds, though, unpredictability reigns supreme, so only time will tell …
Drake Lesser Scaup, Ditchford GP, 5th November 2025 (Mike Alibone)Drake Lesser Scaup, Ditchford GP, 5th November 2025 (Mike Alibone)Drake Lesser Scaup, Ditchford GP, 5th November 2025 (Mike Alibone)
There were surprisingly few wildfowl in this week’s supporting cast, though, with four Whooper Swans appearing momentarily at Clifford Hill GP on the morning of 3rd and a small number of reservoir-based Red-crested Pochards, comprising four at Stanford on 2nd, with two there from 3rd to 5th, and one at Ravensthorpe on the last of these two dates.
With migration pretty much flatlining in the wader camp, the lingering Black-tailed Godwit saw another week out at Daventry CP and a Jack Snipe still showed occasionally at Summer Leys LNR, while two of the latter were at Ditchford on 7th. A single Dunlin at Clifford Hill GP on 6th is perhaps scraping the barrel these days but serves as a stark reminder that, back in the day, it was a regular occurrence for a flock exceeding two hundred to spend late autumn and winter at a water-depleted Pitsford Res. How times have changed …
On par for the course, though, a second-winter Mediterranean Gull was present at Earls Barton GP’s Mary’s Lake on 7th, this site now regularly pulling in respectable numbers of larger gulls with two recent individuals showing some signs of hybridisation displaying a Caspian Gull influence. However, examples of the real McCoy were to be found in the gull roost at Stanford on 1st and 3rd, a third-winter visited Daventry CP on 3rd and 6th, a first-winter was at Summer Leys on 4th and two adults and a first-winter were at Hollowell Res on 5th. The week’s Yellow-legged Gull quota included one at Clifford Hill GP from 1st to 6th, an adult at Mary’s Lake on 5th, a first-winter at Daventry on 5th followed by an adult there on 6th and three at Pitsford on 7th.
The three Glossy Ibises held out at Summer Leys throughout the week.
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 5th November 2025 (Mike Alibone)
Summer Leys also produced single Marsh Harriers on 2nd-3rd and again on 7th, while two were at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR on 2nd.
Marsh Harriers, Titchmarsh NR, 2nd November 2025 (Kev Jeffries)
And heading the cast of the week’s passerines was a Black Redstart on 5th at Harrington AF, a site which has become increasingly steeped in disquiet of late as a result of dubious and illicit activities, including hare coursing, shooting and wanton damage to a parked vehicle. All perhaps enough to discourage birders from going to look for it … as there were no further reports.
Stonechats were found at Clifford Hill, Ditchford, Earls Barton, Harrington, Hollowell, Pitsford and Summer Leys, with Earls Barton and Pitsford producing the highest counts of five apiece.
Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 6th November 2025 (Leslie Fox)
Apparently in no hurry to move on, last week’s late-showing Northern Wheatear remained at Clifford Hill until at least 6th.
Northern Wheatear, Clifford Hill GP, 3rd November 2025 (Mike Alibone)
And the period’s Crossbills were made up of ten at Salcey Forest on 1st, one in Kettering on 4th and five at Ravensthorpe Res the following day.
Moving deeper into autumn saw temperatures take a tumble in the early part of the period, followed by a momentary reprieve on the last day as a south-westerly airstream up from the Azores warmed the cockles and put some extra gloss on the week.
Keeping their tribe afloat, two Red-crested Pochards at Pitsford Res on 16th were the only ducks of note over the last seven days.
Waders continued to be well represented, however, with Boddington Res producing the pick of the bunch, kicking off with a Tundra Ringed Plover on 14th. Much further north, a Whimbrel flew over Harrington AF on 14th and a Curlew was similarly picked up in flight over Stanford Res on 16th.
Black-tailed Godwits continued to feature throughout the week with the largest number comprising a flock of twelve flying south-west over Clifford Hill GP on 14th. Two other localities held on to some longer-stayers, with one at Naseby Res from 13th until 18th and two at Pitsford on 17th.
Black-tailed Godwit, Naseby Res, 14th September 2025 (Mike Alibone)
Maintaining their stand, Ruffs were to be found at five localities – Pitsford holding on to five throughout the period, while Boddington held two from the beginning of the week, increasing to three there on 18th. Elsewhere, two were present at Clifford Hill on 13th-14th with one remaining until 16th and singles were at Summer Leys LNR on 13th and at Naseby on 13th and 17th-18th.
Juvenile Ruffs, Boddington Res, 16th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)Juvenile Ruff, Clifford Hill GP, 16th September 2025 (Mike Alibone)
Strong winds and heavy rain delivered Boddington’s best on 14th, when a Sanderling and the county’s fourth Little Stint of the year dropped in, the latter remaining until 16th, with the former also being reported again briefly on 15th.
Juvenile Little Stint, Boddington Res, 15th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)Juvenile Little Stint, Boddington Res, 15th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)
Getting late now for Wood Sandpiper, last week’s individual remained at Naseby until 16th and another was reported at Cransley Res on the last day of the period.
Wood Sandpiper, Naseby Res, 14th September 2025 (Mike Alibone)
And after last week’s double-figure peak at Pitsford, Greenshanks were down to three there between 14th and 19th, while singles were at Clifford Hill and Summer Leys on 13th, Naseby on 15th and Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (North) on 19th.
On the larid front, the best of the bunch this week was a first-winter Mediterranean Gull at Daventry CP on the last day of the period.
First-winter Mediterranean Gull, Daventry CP, 19th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)
The same site also produced three different Caspian Gulls, with a first-winter on 16th, an adult on 17th and a third-winter on 18th, while Boddington delivered a first-winter on 14th and the regular German-ringed adult was present at Naseby all week, accompanied by a juvenile/first-winter on 15th and a second adult on 17th and again on 19th.
First-winter Caspian Gull, Daventry CP, 16th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)Third-winter Caspian Gull, Daventry CP, 18th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)
Single Yellow-legged Gulls were at Daventry on 14th and Pitsford on 16th, the latter site holding four on 18th.
Yellow-legged Gull, Daventry CP, 14th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)
Daventry also hosted an adult Herring Gull x Lesser Black-backed Gull – resembling an Azores Gull, no less – on 18th.
Hybrid Herring Gull x Lesser Black-backed Gull, Daventry CP, 18th September 2025 (Gary Pullan)
Downsizing, three species of tern were reported during the period – a Sandwich Tern at Boddington on 15th and an Arctic Tern at Hollowell Res on the same date, while the continuing trickle of Black Terns saw last week’s individual lingering at Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows NR on 13th, the same date producing two at Ravensthorpe Res and two at Hollowell – perhaps last week’s four, divided. One, or another, was at the latter site on 15th.
Black Tern, Irthlingborough Lakes Meadows NR, 13th September 2025 (Tony Vials)
With UK numbers still well into the hundreds this week, more Glossy Ibises were again likely to be on the cards – or so one would think – and, yes, there were new arrivals. Both individuals from last week remained throughout at Pitsford and Summer Leys but, in addition to these, one flew west over Wollaston Motors Prep Centre car park and on over Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (North) on 17th, although there is a fair chance it may have been the Summer Leys individual. Undoubtedly new in, however, were three adjacent to Stanford’s Settling Pool, briefly, during the morning of 19th, before flying north-east. Another, or one of the above trio, was seen in flight going north over Stanford during the afternoon of the same date.
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 14th September 2025 (Matt Cottrell)Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 18th September 2025 (Matt Cottrell)Glossy Ibis, Stanford Res, 19th September 2025 (Chris Hubbard)
One each of Bittern and Cattle Egret were again at Summer Leys on 13th and Stanford on 19th, respectively.
Raptors comprised the usual suspects of late, with daily sightings of Ospreys at Pitsford, including two on 16th, while singles flew south and west over Hollowell on 13th and 16th, respectively. Single Marsh Harriers were also on offer at Pitsford, where singles were present on 13th, 14th, 15th and 18th, with two there on 19th. Further singles graced Harrington AF on 14th, Summer Leys on 15th-16th and Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on 19th. Last week’s ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier made a return visit to Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 14th.
And, on the passerine front, Common Redstarts enjoyed a mini-resurgence with three at Borough Hill on 13th, 2 at Glassthorpe Hill, Harpole on 14th and singles at Pitsford on 13th, Blueberry Farm on 14th, Harrington on 14th and 17th and in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 16th.
Common Redstart, Harpole, 14th September 2025 (Jon Cook)
The same area of the Brampton Valley continued to produce Whinchats, with a maximum of six there on 16th, 2 on 14th and one on 17th, two were at Harrington on 14th and one was again at Thrapston GP’s Elinor Trout Lake on 17th. And while Whinchats may be on the wane, numbers of Stonechats were on the up – this week seeing a maximum of four at Hollowell on 19th, while ones and twos were found in the Brampton Valley, at Harrington, Pitsford and Yardley Chase.
Northern Wheatears continued to trickle through, with singles at Harrington on 14th and in the Brampton Valley between 14th and 16th, while two were found at Clifford Hill GP on 17th with one remaining the following day.
A hefty westerly blow across the UK also included some southerlies on the back of it which may have influenced the birds found in this week’s mix …
Apart from the female Ruddy Shelduck, which jumped ship from Naseby Res and moved to nearby Stanford Res by the week’s end, there were no other ducks to elicit any serious interest.
It was a different matter with regard to waders, though, and, with this summer’s drought-induced multiple muddy margins to choose from, they were well scattered. Proving prime in this respect, Pitsford Res continued to deliver the goods with five Black-tailed Godwits from 30th to 1st, dwindling to three by the end of the week. Elsewhere, Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR also produced a juvenile on 5th, this site already having held a short-staying flock of 5 Knots on 3rd.
Black-tailed Godwits, Pitsford Res, 30th August 2025 (Tyler Atkinson)
Continuing their respectable autumn run, Ruffs were found at seven localities, the highest count being five at Stanford on 4th. Pitsford came second with three between 3rd and 5th, Summer Leys LNR was home to one between 30th and 4th, with two present there on 1st and singles were at Hollowell Res on 31st, Naseby on 1st, Titchmarsh NR on 5th and at Daventry CP all week.
Hot on the heels of the year’s first Little Stint at Clifford Hill GP on 22nd, two more juveniles arrived on 30th – one at Boddington Res, the other at Pitsford – both proving to be short-stayers.
And numbers of Greenshanks remained solid, Pitsford producing the week’s top site total of nine between 31st and 4th. Elsewhere, three were found at Ditchford on 2nd, Boddington held two between 30th and 4th and singles were at Naseby between 1st and 5th, Summer Leys on 30th and 2nd, Hollowell on 2nd and Daventry on 3rd.
Stanford scored on the larid front with, on 3rd, a smart juvenile Little Gull, as well as a juvenile Mediterranean Gull – both in the vicinity of the dam there. Another juvenile Mediterranean Gull dropped into Daventry on 30th.
Juvenile Little Gull, Stanford Res, 3rd September 2025 (Chris Hubbard)Juvenile Little Gull, Stanford Res, 3rd September 2025 (Chris Hubbard)Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Daventry CP, 30th August 2025 (Gary Pullan)
Remaining faithful to Naseby, the German-ringed adult male Caspian Gull was present all week, while an adult visited Pitsford on 31st and a juvenile was at Daventry on 2nd. And the usual Yellow-legged Gulls were around at Pitsford, where there were three on 31st, four on 3rd and one on 4th, two were at Thrapston GP on 2nd and a juvenile was present Daventry from 1st to 3rd.
A single Black Tern stayed on from the previous week, remaining at Pitsford from 30th to 4th.
Following last week’s reappearance of a Glossy Ibis at two sites in the Nene Valley, this initially mobile individual finally settled at Summer Leys, where it showed nicely all week, after flipping back to Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows NR for a quick recce on 31st. This bird is seemingly an integral part of a mounting nationwide invasion, involving at least fifty birds, as far north as Lancashire, down to some far southwestern outposts, including multiples on the Isles of Scilly and double figures in Cornwall.
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 2nd September 2025 (Bob Bullock)Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 3rd September 2025 (Mike Alibone)Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 3rd September 2025 (Mike Alibone)Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 3rd September 2025 (Mike Alibone)
If your local wetland patch begins with an ‘S’ then it may only be a matter of time before a Bittern turns up, single birds being seen daily at Summer Leys between 2nd and 5th, at Stortons GP on 3rd and again at Stanford on 5th. The period’s Cattle Egret sightings were somewhat restricted this week, the 5th yielding three at Ringstead GP and one at Titchmarsh.
And the raptor draw continued to hold plenty. Pitsford was prime for Ospreys with two – possibly three – there on 30th, followed by singles on 31st-1st and 4th-5th. Elsewhere, singles were present at Thrapston/Titchmarsh on 1st-2nd and flying west over both Mears Ashby and suburban Northampton’s Abington Park on 4th.
Osprey, Abington Park, Northampton, 4th September 2025 (Tyler Atkinson)
Meanwhile, Marsh Harriers were still to be seen in reasonable numbers, with singles at Pitsford on 30th, Harrington AF on 31st and 2nd, Stanford on 31st and 4th, in the Brampton Valley on 1st, Summer Leys on 2nd and 4th and at Titchmarsh on 5th. Following recent occurrences of a ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier in the Brampton Valley/Blueberry Farm area, what was presumably the same individual was back quartering the arable fields and hedges there again on 30th and daily between 3rd and 5th.
And sticking with the same general area above, what was presumably the same Pied Flycatcher was again seen at Gamboro Plantation on 30th and 1st and, again, it remained highly elusive, with multiple would-be observers leaving empty-handed …
Keeping up appearances, Common Redstarts were seen at seven localities with, unsurprisingly, Stanford Res claiming the highest daily total of five trapped and ringed on 30th, followed by one there on 4th. Harrington laid claim to three on 31st and one on 2nd, up to two were at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell between 1st and 5th, Brampton Valley held two separate birds from 2nd to 5th, while further singles were present at Earls Barton GP’s Mary’s Lake on 30th and at both Lamport Hall and Nobottle Woods on 31st.
Common Redstart, Earls Barton GP, 30th August 2025 (Tyler Atkinson)
Rural Whinchat numbers dropped a little – the usual sites of Brampton Valley holding four between 1st and 5th, Blueberry Farm three on 2nd, Harrington one on 31st and 2nd and, off the regular Whinchat grid, Boddington one on 2nd.
Whinchat, Boddington Res, 2nd September 2025 (Gary Pullan)
Aside from two at Clifford Hill GP on 3rd, lone Northern Wheatears were to be found at Pitsford Res on 30th and 5th, Harrington AF on 31st and 2nd, in Brampton Valley on 1st-2nd and 5th, at Blueberry Farm on 2nd, at Hollowell Res on 4th-5th and at Thrapston on 5th.
Northern Wheatear, Stanford Res, 3rd September 2025 (Chris Hubbard)
A Tree Pipit touched down at Stanford, briefly, on 5th and, up in the north of the county, the Corby area produced single Crossbills at Corby Old Village on 30th and Brookfield Plantation on 31st.
February, now done and dusted, ended cleanly on the last day of the review period. But even before the first day of meteorological spring was upon us, the county notched up two new spring migrants for the year – well ahead of when we would normally expect to see them …
Aside from these, all of the winter wildfowl appeared to remain settled throughout the week and, although the Pink-footed Goose in the vicinity of Cogenhoe Mill was reported only on day one, the seven White-fronted Geese in the same area were seen almost daily. Away to the north, the county’s other two wintering whitefronts saw another week out at Ravensthorpe Res.
Pink-footed Goose and White-fronted Goose, Cogenhoe Mill, 22nd February 2025 (James Underwood)White-fronted Geese, Cogenhoe Mill, 24th February 2025 (William Miller)White-fronted Geese, Earls Barton GP, 27th February 2025 (Leslie Fox)
A mere stone’s throw away from the latter locality, the long-standing female Ruddy Shelduck was still present at Winwick Pools on 27th and, as the week progressed, it appears we became awash with Red-crested Pochards. Two made a short stopover at Ravensthorpe on 24th, the same date on which two were also seen at Clifford Hill GP and a drake appeared on the River Nene between Cogenhoe and Whiston on 25th, moving to Earls Barton GP on 27th. Meanwhile, the long-staying female remained at Daventry CP until at least 26th.
With no sign last week of the drake Ring-necked Duck at Thrapston GP – or anywhere else, for that matter – it was back there at Heronry Lake on the last day of the period. Further up the Nene Valley, the year’s third Greater Scaup, an advanced first-winter drake, was found at Summer Leys LNR on 23rd before relocating to adjacent Mary’s Lake on 25th, where it remained until at least the following day. Further north, the first-winter female remained at Blatherwycke Lake until at least 23rd.
The drake Smew chose to bide its time all week at Clifford Hill GP.
Fronting this week’s waders was a first for the year in the shape of a very early migrant Avocet at Summer Leys, first thing on 26th. But its stay was brief, moving on in haste as soon as the rainclouds lifted … Aside from this, two Jack Snipes were at Barnes Meadow NR on 22nd followed by up to two at Hollowell Res between 25th and 27th, while the wintering Common Sandpiper once more raised its head at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on the last of these two dates.
Another early bird – and the second new one for the year this week – was an adult Little Gull that clearly found Ravensthorpe to its liking, making an extended stay of five days between 23rd and 27th, during which it proved a popular draw.
Adult Little Gull, Ravensthorpe Res, 23rd February 2025 (Jon Cook)Adult Little Gull, Ravensthorpe Res, 23rd February 2025 (Jon Cook)Adult Little Gull, Ravensthorpe Res, 23rd February 2025 (Bob Bullock)Adult Little Gull, Ravensthorpe Res, 23rd February 2025 (Bob Bullock)Adult Little Gull, Ravensthorpe Res, 24th February 2025 (Jon Cook)Adult Little Gull, Ravensthorpe Res, 25th February 2025 (Phil West)
Otherwise, scarce larids were well down in numbers with just two adult Mediterranean Gulls appearing in the gull roost at Boddington Res on 28th – another sure sign of spring movement – and a first-winter Caspian Gull at Hollowell Res on 25th.
Adult Mediterranean Gull, Boddington Res, 28th February 2025 (John Friendship-Taylor)
Meanwhile, the Summer Leys Glossy Ibis extended its five-month stay by another week …
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 28th February 2025 (Leslie Fox)
A Cattle Egret also appeared at Summer Leys on 23rd and three were again in the vicinity of Stanwick GP’s North Lake two days later, on 25th.
With nothing to shout about on the raptor front, single Short-eared Owls – most likely just the one – were again on private land near Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 22nd-23rd and at the adjacent site that is the Brampton Valley, between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton, on 27th-28th, where a Merlin was also reported on 27th.
And it was left to Stonechats to prop up this week’s passerines, with Earls Barton producing the highest count of six on 27th, while Hollowell mustered five, Borough Hill two and Harrington AF one.
Although having crossed the line into meteorological winter this week, new arrivals continued to materialise, adding a little extra spice to the mix of what was already on offer.
Two sites from last week continued to hold single Pink-footed Geese tagging along with local Greylags, these comprising Wicksteed Park Lake area on 2nd and Pitsford Res throughout the period. In addition to these, a new bird was discovered at Blatherwycke Lake on 3rd. But as Pinkfeet numbers continue to increase year on year, White-fronted Geese are becoming harder to connect with. Two found in fields alongside Ravensthorpe Res on 2nd were only second record for 2024, following four in the early part of the year which spent the majority of March in the Thrapston GP/Wadenhoe area.
Adult and first-winter White-fronted Geese, Ravensthorpe Res, 2nd December 2024 (Bob Bullock)
On 1st, a single adult Whooper Swan was picked up in flight over Ringstead, later being relocated in water meadows just south of Woodford.
The female Ruddy Shelduck continued to occupy its favoured locality of Winwick Pools, still to be found there on 1st and, as for this week’s Red-crested Pochards, well, there was just the one, at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (North), on 4th.
Female Ruddy Shelduck, Winwick Pools, 1st December 2024 (James Urwin)
A drake Smew found in Pitsford’s Pintail Bay on 2nd spent little more than three hours there after its discovery before heading off in the direction of the causeway and not being relocated subsequently. With just single ‘redheads’ at Clifford Hill GP in January-March and at Pitsford in March, Smew is a locally rare commodity these days. It has recently been acknowledged that numbers wintering in Britain have declined significantly and, in some counties, e.g. Surrey and Sussex, its status has changed from being an expected winter visitor to that of a county rarity with a ‘description required’ tag attached to it. This downward trend is reflected in our own county and with only seven further individuals scattered across the UK during this week things are looking bleak indeed.
A Black-necked Grebe found at Stanford Res on 2nd was the second for the site this year, following a juvenile there on 23rd-25th August, as well as being only the sixth for the county in 2024.
Black-necked Grebe, Stanford Res, 2nd December 2024 (Barry Silverman)
For the second week running, Daventry CP was the only locality to produce Jack Snipe with just the one there on 3rd.
Gull numbers continued to bump along the bottom, the best of which were a second-winter Mediterranean Gull in the roost at Stanford on 30th and 1st and a daytime adult north of the causeway at Pitsford on 5th. Hollowell Res produced two Caspian Gulls – a first-winter on 30th and an adult on 3rd, while Stanford’s roost held an adult and a third-winter on 1st and single adults on 2nd and 5th. Way out west, the roost at Boddington Res contained an adult on 2nd and the last day of the week saw Wicksteed Park Lakes dish up a German-ringed XU3X first-winter, ringed as a pullus at Hiddensee on 5th June 2024. Only one Yellow-legged Gull came to light during the period, that being the regular Pitsford adult.
German-ringed first-winter Caspian Gull, Wicksteed Park Lake, 6th December (Julie Roe)German-ringed first-winter Caspian Gull, Wicksteed Park Lake, 6th December (Julie Roe)German-ringed first-winter Caspian Gull, Wicksteed Park Lake, 6th December (Julie Roe)
First-winter Caspian Gull, German-ringed XU3X, from Hiddensee to Kettering
Having shown a tendency to wander a little further north and east of its favoured on-site location, the popular crayfish-crunching Great Northern Diver saw out another week at Pitsford.
Juvenile Great Northern Diver, Pitsford Res, 30th November 2024 (Ant Hall)Juvenile Great Northern Diver, Pitsford Res, 4th December 2024 (Bob Bullock)
And so, too, did the Summer Leys Glossy Ibis – one of just ten largely static birds across the UK.
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 3rd December 2024 (Mike Alibone)
Just one Bittern was in evidence and that was the Titchmarsh LNR individual, showing again from the North Hide there on 1st and 3rd while, just up the Nene Valley, the Ringstead/Woodford area continued to hold its own as the current hotspot for Cattle Egrets with one there on 1st, three on 3rd and six on 6th. Elsewhere, three were in fields just west of Chacombe on 30th and one visited Stanwick GP on 3rd.
Bittern, Titchmarsh LNR, 1st December 2024 (Nick Parker)
Harrington AF produced the only birds resembling raptors in any way, shape or form during the period, namely a Merlin on 30th and two Short-eared Owls on 3rd.
Remaining elusive, the female Bearded Tit continued to be mobile about Stanwick and was present there until at least 4th.
Hollowell held the highest total of the week’s Stonechats – a respectable five on 6th – while ones and twos were seen at Deene Lake, Earls Barton GP and Pitsford.
And still out there to be had were Hawfinches – all of this week’s in their favoured churchyard locations, including one at Thenford on 30th and two at both Blatherwycke and Deene on 3rd.
An area of high pressure sitting over the country provided a little light relief, weatherwise, helping to lift the birding spirits somewhat. An upturn in the numbers of larger wildfowl, a late trickle of interesting waders and the continued presence of local Hen Harriers ensured there was enough out there to be going on with. But the week belonged to Hawfinches. They were out there to be both found and savoured at a number of sites for anyone willing to invest a little time and effort watching and waiting …
But we kick off first and foremost with some impressive numbers of Pink-footed Geese moving through the county during the period. Aside from one found with Greylags at Earls Barton GP on 10th, approximately thirty were watched flying north-east over Deene on 12th, the same date seeing sixty moving north-west over Moulton, while a skein of sixty-three flew high east over Oundle on 15th. And the chances are we could be seeing more of these relatively large flocks in the future as figures published by the BTO reveal that the UK wintering population has been steadily growing, having almost doubled during the 25-year period 1997 to 2022.
More Whooper Swans were on the week’s menu with the 9th seeing eight adults at Blatherwycke Lake and a single adult flying east over Earls Barton GP and, minutes later, over Summer Leys. Four were subsequently found at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh LNR on 14th. In common with Pink-footed Goose, the wintering population in the UK has increased significantly, having more than tripled during the aforementioned quarter century, this being reflected in the number being found locally in recent years.
Whooper Swans, Blatherwycke Lake, 10th November 2024 (James Underwood)
The itinerant female Ruddy Shelduck was seen in flight over Stanford Res on 11th and back at Winwick Pools on 13th, while numbers of, and localities for, Red-crested Pochards diminished this week. Stanford held on to two until at least 12th, two drakes visited Blatherwycke Lake on 9th, one was at Pitsford on 11th and the female remained at Kislingbury GP until at least 12th.
Red-crested Pochards, Blatherwycke Lake, 10th November 2024 (James Underwood)
Last week’s first-winter female Greater Scaup was seen again at Blatherwycke Lake on 13th and 15th following an unconfirmed report of a Common Scoter there on 9th.
First-winter female Greater Scaup, Blatherwycke Lake, 13th November 2024 (Mike Alibone)
The week proved surprisingly good for waders. Are we really on the cusp of mid-November? First up was a Grey Plover found with the small Golden Plover flock at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on 9th. Only the fifth record for the year following spring birds at Clifford Hill GP, Stanwick GP and Summer Leys. It did not stay. A Turnstone spent the afternoon at Summer Leys on 10th, similarly having moved on by the next day and a Knot dropped in at Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes & Meadows NR, also on 10th. Ditchford also produced a Jack Snipe on 12th and two were located via thermal imaging at Stanford on the same date.
Jack Snipe, Stanford Res, 12th November 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
In the same vein as in recent weeks it was local gull roosts which produced the vast majority of the period’s scarce gulls. Mediterranean Gulls were down to an adult and a first-winter at Daventry CP on 9th and an adult at Stanford on the same date, followed by a first-winter there the next day. The Boddington roost produced an apparent adult Mediterranean Gull x Common Gull hybrid on 12th.
Apart from an adult at Hollowell Res on 12th, Boddington and Stanford carved up the week’s Caspian Gulls between them, the first-named holding an adult and a first-winter on 12th-13th and two adults and a first-winter on 14th. Stanford produced single adults on 9th and 13th, two adults on 12th, a second-winter on 10th and a first-winter on 14th.
First-winter Caspian Gull, Stanford Res, 14th November 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
With regard to Yellow-legged Gulls, Boddington held at least five between 12th and 14th, while daytime singles were found at Ditchford GP on 10th, Summer Leys on 11th, Earls Barton GP on 12th, Clifford Hill GP on 13th and the regular Pitsford adult remained throughout the week.
An interesting week for the Summer Leys Glossy Ibis. It was seen only until 13th, after which there were no further reports. Single Bitterns were again present at Stanwick on 9th and 14th and at Titchmarsh LNR on 10th and 14th, while Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows was responsible for producing the week’s only Cattle Egrets, with eight there on 10th.
Marsh Harriers continued to be seen at Summer Leys and within the Earls Barton GP complex generally, with at least two individuals present on 9th-10th. However, they were considerably outnumbered by Hen Harriers – some apparently new birds making their debut on the scene while others were clearly hanging on from last week. Falling into the latter category, the popular ‘ringtail’ continued to hunt the New Workings (South) area of Earls Barton GP daily until 12th, after which there were no further reports. Last week’s male at Bozenham Mill also remained until 10th, while ‘new’ males appeared near Staverton on 10th and over Summer Leys on 14th and another ‘ringtail’ was seen in the Brampton Valley/Blueberry Farm area on 11th. It would be tempting to believe we are in for a good winter for this iconic raptor.
Hen Harrier, Earls Barton GP, 10th November 2024 (Adrian Leybourne)
Merlins remained scarce, however, with a female/immature seen in flight over Lilbourne Meadows NR on 11th and a male in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 13th.
Last week’s two Bearded Tits remained at Stanwick until 10th, when they were last seen departing high to the east.
Female Bearded Tit, Stanwick GP, 9th November 2024 (Paul Young)
Stonechats were found at nine localities which included Clifford Hill GP, Earls Barton GP, Hollowell Res, Kislingbury GP, Lilbourne Meadows, Pitsford, Stanford, Sywell CP and Towcester – with the highest counts of five at Earls Barton GP on 10th and four at Sywell CP on 15th.
Male Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 14th November 2024 (Leslie Fox)
The penultimate day of the period produced a Rock Pipit – albeit only in flight – over Stanford’s dam. Thin on the ground in Northamptonshire these days, it comes as almost no surprise that this is the only record for the year in the county.
But attracting the most attention by a country mile this week were those big-billed bruisers of the finch world … Yes, Hawfinches were clocked at a good nine locations with, as last week, Cottesbrooke as the standout site, pulling the punters daily throughout the period. Two to three birds were very much the norm per diem but eight on 13th proved the highest total.
Hawfinch, Cottesbrooke, 14th November 2024 (Mike Alibone)Hawfinch, Cottesbrooke, 15th November 2024 (Leslie Fox)
So, how did the other sites match up? The churchyard at Blatherwycke was another productive viewing point with birds present on three dates, which included a respectable maximum of six on 14th.
Male Hawfinch, Blatherwycke, 14th November 2024 (Howard Butler)
A few miles to the east, Southwick Hall grounds produced at least five on 15th, with Short Wood just along the road holding four on 13th. Four were also still to be found in St Peter’s Churchyard at Deene on 12th, dropping to two there the following day, while twos were seen over Stanford Res on 13th, and at both Long Croft Road, Corby and St Peter’s Churchyard, Oundle on 14th. Singles were seen at Lamport Hall on 9th and at Eurohub, Corby on 13th.
Dull, dreary and leniently mild, with light winds off the continent and temperatures above average for the time of year, this week’s weather was anything but inspiring. But it was far from doom and gloom on the birding front as November began to shape up nicely from the get-go, kicking off with some select species which had, to date, managed to evade all but the lucky few earlier in the year.
The first of these was a Dark-bellied Brent Goose found on 4th at Clifford Hill GP, the same site laying claim to the year’s only previous record of a decently-sized flock of sixteen – albeit very briefly – on 12th March. In a similar vein, this week’s bird chose not to stick around and had departed by the following day.
Adult Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Clifford Hill GP, 4th November 2024 (Mike Alibone)
Clifford Hill GP, also known latterly as ‘Northampton Washlands’, has established a knack for pulling them in and, offering the largest slice of the Brent Goose pie, is the best place by far for a chance encounter in early spring or late autumn.
Other geese were, of course, available and a respectable skein of approximately twenty Pink-footed Geese was watched flying north over Pitsford Res on 2nd, while singles included one in flight with Greylags over Stanwick GP on 3rd and the sporadic visitor to Stanford Res there again on 8th.
Stanford’s admirable run of Whooper Swans extended to another week when three adults and four juveniles dropped in together on 2nd. Staying long enough for a photoshoot, they departed shortly after being found. Coincidentally, or not, seven were seen flying east over Clifford Hill just under an hour later.
Whooper Swans, Stanford Res, 2nd November 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
The female Ruddy Shelduck remained at Winwick Pools, where it was seen on 4th and 8th, while Red-crested Pochards became more widespread this week with the largest number of six remaining at Stanford throughout. Nine further localities produced smaller numbers which included five at Stortons GP on 7th, single drakes at Blatherwycke Lake from 2nd until at least 5th, Thrapston GP on 2nd and Pitsford on 5th, the first-winter drake still at Boddington Res until at least 7th, twos at Clifford Hill on 5th, Stanwick on 7th and Ditchford GP on 8th and a female at Kislingbury GP on the last of these dates.
Red-crested Pochards, Stortons GP, 7th November 2024 (Tony Stanford)
A female Greater Scaup visited Blatherwycke Lake on 5th.
Proving its worth once again, Clifford Hill attracted five Avocets which, although seemingly unsettled, remained throughout the day on 4th. This was only the sixth county record of the year and a decent flock size to boot, following four there on 7th September.
Avocets, Clifford Hill GP, 4th November 2024 (Mike Alibone)Avocets, Clifford Hill GP, 4th November 2024 (Tyler Atkinson)
And sealing its eminence as this week’s standout locality, Clifford Hill went on to produce a Knot, also on 4th. This was only the third for the county in 2024 after the first – a one-day bird which also turned up there in March – and the second, which circled Stanford Res without landing, the previous morning of the 3rd. The Clifford Hill individual was still present on 6th and another, or the same, visited Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes & Meadows NR briefly on 7th.
Knot, Clifford Hill GP, 4th November 2024 (Mike Alibone)
Four sites produced Mediterranean Gulls, Boddington Res holding the maximum of three (an adult and two first-winters) in its roost on 4th and an adult only on 6th-7th. The Stanford roost produced an adult and a first-winter on 2nd, a second-winter on 3rd and an adult again on 8th, while a first-winter visited Hollowell Res on 4th and two first-winters were in a pre-roost at Daventry CP the following day.
Adult Mediterranean Gull, Stanford Res, 8th November 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
Caspian Gulls were also found at four localities with, again, the Boddington roost producing the highest numbers of five on 6th, three on 4th and two on 7th. Stanford’s roost held an adult on 3rd and a second-winter on 8th and single adults were found at Wicksteed Park Lakes on 3rd and at Hollowell on 4th and 8th. Similarly, Boddington pulled in double figures of Yellow-legged Gulls, the roost count maxing out with at least twelve on 4th and 7th, while smaller numbers included two at Winwick Pools on 4th and singles on various dates throughout the period at Clifford Hill, Pitsford and Stanford.
Adult Yellow-legged Gull, Clifford Hill GP, 4th November 2024 (Mike Alibone)
There’s little to be said about the Summer Leys Glossy Ibis, which remained on site for another full week, while Bitterns and Cattle Egrets were the sole preserve of Stanwick, with two of the former on 4th and eight of the latter on 3rd and 7th.
Just one, or maybe two, Marsh Harrier(s) were seen during the period with sightings almost daily from the Summer Leys enclave and the wider area of Earls Barton GP. However, it turned out to be another good seven days for Hen Harriers, the previous week’s ‘ringtail’ at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) now appearing settled, regularly showing well to all comers, daily, throughout the week. The same locality produced a fly-through male on 5th and another male was seen at Ashton and over fields south of nearby Bozenham Mill on 7th, while the latter date also saw another ‘ringtail’ at Harrington AF.
Hen Harrier, Earls Barton GP, 4th November 2024 (Alan Coles)Hen Harrier, Earls Barton GP, 4th November 2024 (Alan Coles)Hen Harrier, Earls Barton GP, 4th November 2024 (Tyler Atkinson)
The number of Short-eared Owls also increased with single birds at Harrington on 2nd and 5th-7th and at both Clifford Hill GP and Stanford Res on 5th.
A male Merlin was found at Harrington on 4th.
And, surprisingly, the first 2024 Bearded Tits appeared at Stanwick GP, where two were first seen on 5th and remained until the week’s end.
Male Bearded Tit, Stanwick GP, 5th November (Bob Bullock)
The run of Yellow-browed Warblers continued with one briefly in a Kettering garden on 5th and another – or the same – reported between Wicksteed Park Lakes and Barton Seagrave two days later, on 7th.
In the west of the county, proving its worth not just for gulls, Boddington produced a first-winter Ring Ouzel in an off-site adjacent hedgerow on 6th, while a Black Redstart spent at least three days in Braunston, at a site with no public access, between 4th and 6th. Stonechats were recorded from Earls Barton, Hollowell, Lilbourne Meadows NR, Pitsford, Stanford and Summer Leys, with a maximum site count of four at Hollowell on 4th.
Male Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 4th November 2024 (Tyler Atkinson)Female Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 5th November 2024 (Alan Coles)
And Hawfinches continued to be found at various sites across the county, with Cottesbrooke proving the most reliable location for catching up with them. Here they were recorded on a daily basis with a maximum of three or four present on 6th. Elsewhere, from high to low, nine flew south-south-east over Boddington on 4th, five were mobile around Welton on 8th, three were again in Thenford Churchyard on 2nd and the same number flew south over Hanging Houghton on 5th and three were also in St Peter’s Churchyard, Deene on 7th. Blatherwycke churchyard produced two on 3rd and one on 5th and two were found at Lamport Hall on 8th.
Hawfinch, Blatherwycke, 3rd November 2024 (James Underwood)
Single Crossbills flew over both Hollowell and Cottesbrooke on 3rd.
The week’s weather, being somewhat bland, appeared to have little influence on the birds turning up during the period but that’s not to say it was uneventful. Quite the contrary, in fact, with the first Red-throated Diver for sixteen years stealing the show, one or two more Yellow-browed Warblers – now seemingly attracting scant attention – and a trickle of Hawfinches beginning to elicit interest as a national ‘invasion’ appears to be well underway …
There was little new on the wildfowl front, however, with the Pink-footed Goose continuing to visit Stanford Res, where it was seen on 26th-27th and again on 30th. Last week’s adult Whooper Swan also remained there, visiting surrounding farmland, until 30th, while two more dropped in briefly on 27th. Pitsford Res also got in on the act, producing a single bird north of the causeway on 28th, followed by four flying north on 1st.
Adult Whooper Swan, Stanford Res 26th October 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
The Ruddy Shelduck also reappeared at Stanford on 26th before moving back to Winwick Pools on 28th-29th.
Female Ruddy Shelduck, Winwick Pools, 28th October 2024 (James Urwin)
Stanford continued to produce the largest share of the period’s Red-crested Pochards, the week opening with seven and closing on six, while the first-winter drake remained at Boddington Res until at least 31st and two were found at Pitsford the next day, on 1st.
In the absence of any notable waders, numbers of the scarcer gulls were about par for the course, with an adult Mediterranean Gull in the roost at Boddington on 31st and a first-winter joining the Stanford roost on 1st. Caspian Gulls widened their reach to four reservoirs, the roost at Boddington holding an adult on 31st and two adults the following evening. Two adults were again at Hollowell on 31st, while single adults were found at both Pitsford and Stanford on 1st. Once again, Boddington produced the week’s highest numbers of Yellow-legged Gulls in its roost, seven on 31st rising to nine the following evening. Elsewhere, singles visited Clifford Hill GP and Summer Leys LNR on 26th and 27th, respectively, two were found at Winwick Pools on 29th, one was at Pitsford on 31st-1st and Stanford held one on 31st and two on 1st.
And just to prove that autumn is far from running out of steam, a smart juvenile Red-throated Diver surfaced at Boddington on the last day of October. It remained for barely five hours following its discovery, having upped sticks and left well before the afternoon was out. Being the first one in Northamptonshire for sixteen years, this species is now verging on mega status in the county, following a short-term run of records in 2002, 2005, 2006-07 and 2008.
Juvenile Red-throated Diver, Boddington Res, 31st October 2024 (Gary Pullan)Juvenile Red-throated Diver, Boddington Res, 31st October 2024 (Gary Pullan)Juvenile Red-throated Diver, Boddington Res, 31st October 2024 (Bob Bullock)Juvenile Red-throated Diver, Boddington Res, 31st October 2024 (Bob Bullock)Juvenile Red-throated Diver, Boddington Res, 31st October 2024 (Mike Alibone)Juvenile Red-throated Diver, Boddington Res, 31st October 2024 (Mike Alibone)
Looking like it’s in for the long haul and continuing to offer interest and delight, the Summer Leys Glossy Ibis had notched up six full weeks by the end of the period.
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 27th October 2024 (Bob Bullock)Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 29th October 2024 (Mike Alibone)
Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh LNR produced the week’s only Bittern on 26th and Stanwick GP the only Cattle Egrets, with eight there on 1st.
While single Marsh Harriers continued to be seen in the Nene Valley – at Titchmarsh LNR on 26th and at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on 30th, it was the latter locality that delivered a ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier, seemingly having taken a liking to the area, being seen there on the afternoons of 28th, 30th and 1st. An adult male Hen Harrier was present briefly in the Brampton Valley, between Brixworth and Cottesbrooke, before flying north-west on 1st.
A Short-eared Owl was found at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 30th.
And records continue to be broken as far as Yellow-browed Warblers are concerned, with one reported again at Stanford Res on 26th, while another was found in an area of willows along the Grand Union Canal, between Grafton Regis and Bozenham Mill, on 30th-31st. Perhaps we will be in line for more wintering birds over the next few months …
With no more than two at any one location, Stonechats continued to be seen across the county at Clifford Hill GP, Earls Barton GP, Grafton Regis, Pitsford, Stanford and Thrapston GP.
Stonechat, Deenethorpe AF, 28th October 2024 (James Underwood)Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 1st November 2024 (Leslie Fox)
And as we leave October behind and thoughts turn to what the last month of autumn and the forthcoming winter may bring, it has been widely recognised that we are now well into an invasion of Hawfinches at a national level. Events now unfolding show a marked similarity to the historic influx of 2017-18, with records during the last half of October coming from nudging two hundred sites across England. Following one at Dallington Cemetery, Northampton on 5th October, the week just gone saw a trickle of birds with one flying over Byfield on 30th and, on 1st, five over Harrington AF, three in Thenford churchyard and two or three at Cottesbrooke. These last two sites proved reliable for connecting with long-stayers during the last influx.
Hawfinch, Cottesbrooke, 1st November 2024 (Jon Cook)
So, when will the trickle develop into a torrent? Checking out a churchyard or two could prove fruitful if, as they so often are, planted with Yew trees, a favoured food source. As a heads up, here’s a list of locations they were seen at during the last autumn/winter invasion in 2017-18.
Not quite falling into the same iconic category as the above, but a smart finch, nonetheless, is Crossbill – some twenty of which flew over Brackmills Industrial Estate, Northampton on 30th, while three briefly visited Cottesbrooke churchyard on 1st.
A Corn Bunting – only the second of the year, following one in the Brampton Valley in August – was seen between Grafton Regis and Bozenham Mill on 30th.
The week kicked off with Storm Ashley, of which we were on the periphery and, while hopes were high for a wrecked seabird or two, there was no such luck, with the short term occurrence of a Shag the day after seemingly coincidental. Otherwise, it was down to another Yellow-browed Warbler – amongst other fare – to keep the autumn pot bubbling …
Stanford Res was the locality for producing the majority of this week’s wildfowl with, once again, what was presumably the same bird as last week’s Pink-footed Goose dropping in on 19th-20th. A new adult Whooper Swan also appeared there on 21st remaining until 25th, although it was not seen on 23rd.
Adult Whooper Swan, Stanford Res, 22nd October 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
Following its absence from Stanford, where it was last seen on 9th September, the female Ruddy Shelduck was relocated at its recently favoured winter haunt, Winwick Pools on 24th, after having visited Ravensthorpe Res on 15th and 22nd September.
Female Ruddy Shelduck, Winwick Pools, 24th October 2024 (James Urwin)
Aside from the first-winter drake at Boddington Res, where it remained until at least 24th and a drake at Pitsford Res on 21st, the period’s Red-crested Pochards had peaked at no more than five at Stanford by the week’s end.
After some absence, waders were back on the menu – albeit on a very short term basis – with a Black-tailed Godwit at Elton GP and a fleetingly late Wood Sandpiper at Summer Leys LNR, both on 23rd. Prime wader habitat remains at a premium, however.
More Mediterranean Gulls appeared on the scene during the period, doubling last week’s total (which wasn’t difficult). Boddington’s first-winter continued to appear there in the roost intermittently until 22nd, with an adult gracing the Stanford roost on the latter date, while Summer Leys delivered a second-winter on 23rd and a first-winter on 25th.
Numbers of Caspian Gulls were limited to an adult and a first-winter in the Boddington roost on 22nd-23rd and two adults at Hollowell Res on 24th. Yellow-legged Gulls fared better, pushing into double figures at Boddington where the roost produced up to twelve on 22nd-23rd. Elsewhere, three were at Summer Leys on 23rd, followed by two there on 25th, while single adults were seen at Pitsford Res on 21st and Clifford Hill GP on 24th.
Adult Yellow-legged Gull, Pitsford Res, 21st October 2024 (Mike Alibone)
Often turning up in remarkably calm conditions, so unlikely to be weather-related, new in for 2024 was a juvenile Shag at Ravensthorpe on 21st. Unfortunately, it failed to stick and show, being subjected to disturbance by fishing boats shortly after its discovery. Shag is a near-annual visitor having been recorded in fourteen out of the last twenty years.
The same cannot be said with regard to Glossy Ibis, for which the opposite applies in both instances. It’s still a local and national rarity but in the current circumstances the Summer Leys bird has further extended its stay by another seven days to five weeks, frequently showing well to all comers.
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 24th October 2024 (Alan Coles)
This week it was the turn of Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh LNR to produce the period’s Bittern sightings, with one on 21st and 23rd and two on 24th. A cattle field adjacent to nearby Ringstead GP continued to prove attractive to Cattle Egrets, the week starting with two there on 19th, increasing to six on 20th and finishing with two again on 25th. Three were also found in a field west of Chacombe in south-west Northants on 19th.
Back at Titchmarsh, one of the week’s two Marsh Harriers was seen on 21st, Summer Leys enjoying one on the same date, while last week’s Hen Harrier at Stanford also made it into this week on 19th.
Juvenile female Hen Harrier, Stanford Res, 19th October 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
It’s been quiet at Harrington AF for some time now but, following the autumn’s first Short-eared Owl there on 3rd, another – or perhaps the same – was present this week on 19th. October is a prime month for the movement of this species through the UK.
Short-eared Owl, Harrington AF, 19th October 2024 (Steve Pugh)
And as for passerines? Stanford, ever effervescent as Northamptonshire’s premier ringing site – and thank the gods it’s on our side of the county boundary – did it again this week with another Yellow-browed Warbler out of the nets on 23rd, quickly followed by a Firecrest the next day. What else might be in the offing there before the autumn’s out?
Yellow-browed Warbler, Stanford Res, 23rd October 2024 (Chris Hubbard)Male Firecrest, Stanford Res, 24th October 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
Stonechats continued to be seen across the county at Boddington, Earls Barton GP, Elton, Hollowell, Orlingbury, Stanford and Warmington with a maximum of four at Hollowell on 24th.
Edging that little bit closer to late autumn saw the arrival of large waves of winter thrushes pushing through the county, as well as the first Whooper Swans this side of the last winter period. Reluctant to move on, the Glossy Ibis dug its heels in, while yet more Yellow-browed Warblers seemed intent on making further advances on their already record high numbers.
Stanford was the top performing reservoir this week, with the birds on offer there including the locally roaming Pink-footed Goose again dropping in on 17th. Prior to this, four Whooper Swans flew east early on 13th, followed by what was believed to be a different quartet on the water there later in the afternoon. This latter herd remained overnight and was seen to depart to the east early the next day. Thrapston GP also got in on the action with four on Titchmarsh LNR on 13th, one of which bore rings – a white ‘65L’ on its right leg and a metal ring on its left. Observer research revealed it had been ringed as an adult male at Lake Sandvatn, Iceland on 8th August this year and that the Titchmarsh sighting was the first anywhere since this date.
Whooper Swan, Stanford Res, 13th October 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
Back at Stanford, Red-crested Pochard numbers fell from seven to four, all of which were still present at the week’s end. Elsewhere, the first-winter drake remained settled at Boddington Res throughout the period and two were present at Earls Barton GP’s New Workings (South) on 13th.
Red-crested Pochards, Earls Barton GP, 13th October 2024 (Bob Bullock)
With waders well and truly off the radar, it fell to gulls to provide a little waterfront entertainment. Boddington Res and Stanwick GP were to carve up the Mediterranean Gulls between them, Boddington regularly producing a first-winter between 14th and 18th and Stanwick a second-winter on 14th-15th.
First-winter Mediterranean Gull, Boddington Res, 15th October 2024 (Gary Pullan)
Stanwick also produced a first-winter Caspian Gull on 12th, while single adults visited both Boddington and Stanford on 15th and Hollowell Res held two adults on the latter date and one on 17th. The week’s Yellow-legged Gulls were found at three widely separated localities with singles at Stanwick on 12th, Boddington on 12th and 14th and Ravensthorpe Res on 17th, while five joined the roost at Boddington on 15th.
A late Black Tern was found at Pitsford Res, also on 15th.
Continuing its protracted stay, the Glossy Ibis notched up another week at Summer Leys LNR and surrounding area, where it has now been present for a solid 28 days. Interestingly, one was reported by a biodiversity survey team at Stanwick on 13th, which seems likely to be a different individual as the Summer Leys bird was being reported at, or about, the same time.
Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 15th October 2024 (Paul Young)Glossy Ibis, Summer Leys LNR, 17th October 2024 (Mike Alibone)
Stanwick was also the only site to record Bittern this week, with one there on 14th, while the same location saw three Cattle Egrets fly over on 12th and four on the ground there the following day. Further down the valley, fields immediately north-east of Ringstead GP produced the highest counts of the week, though, with one on 12th, eight on 15th and six on 18th, while one turning up to roost at Boddington on 14th was only the second record for the site.
Meanwhile, raptors were up on the last period with sightings of Marsh Harriers dominating. Seemingly now part of the Summer Leys furniture, one remained there throughout the week, also being seen in the wider area of the Earls Barton GP complex on 15th and 18th, while further reports came from Titchmarsh on 14th, Stanwick on 15th and Ditchford GP on 18th.
Marsh Harrier, Summer Leys LNR, 17th October 2024 (Clive Bowley)Marsh Harrier, Summer Leys LNR, 17th October 2024 (Clive Bowley)
A Hen Harrier – the fifth of the autumn, so far – was present at Stanford on 17th-18th but was not seen thereafter and a Merlin stuck around in the Brampton Valley, between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton, on 14th-15th.
Juvenile female Hen Harrier, Stanford Res, 18th October 2024 (Chris Hubbard)
After the last fortnight’s record-breaking four Yellow-browed Warblers, there was more to come and it seems we’re not done yet with this little Siberian gem. While the Ringstead bird was still to be had on the first day of the period, another was found at Stanford on 15th, followed by yet another at Earls Barton GP three days later, on 18th. And here’s the thing: over the last ten years (2014-2023) Yellow-broweds have outnumbered Wood Warblers in the county with a total of fourteen vs. thirteen of the latter. Throw in this year’s (2024) occurrences for both so far and Wood Warbler moves up one to fourteen, while Yellow-browed soars to nineteen – potentially twenty if this week’s individual at Stanford was indeed a new bird!
Rightly overshadowed, as well as likely overlooked, a Ring Ouzel at Harrington AF on 16th was about par for the autumn course as far as this species is concerned.
And as for other passerines, Stonechats were found in at least eight localities, comprising Brampton Valley, Ditchford, Earls Barton, Harrington, Hollowell, Pitsford, Stanford and Summer Leys, with maxima of six in the Brampton Valley and at Earls Barton.
Male Stonechat, Earls Barton GP, 15th October 2024 (Leslie Fox)
It should be said that, given the numbers seen in the UK so far this autumn, ‘Eastern Stonechat’ is not impossible and, although it’s a bit of a long shot, inland records are not unprecedented …
Northants birds 