The second week in June comprised a largely lacklustre seven days, with nothing new and very little to shout about. ‘Ornithological autumn’ is, however, only a couple of weeks away for those prepared to sit things out …
The Stanford Res Pink-footed Goose remained until at least 11th while, in terms of this week’s waders, the same site was the only one to pull the rabbit out of the hat by delivering a ‘Tundra’ Ringed Plover on 8th and a Whimbrel on 11th.
At least one locality produced a Bittern but Cattle Egrets were unusually lacking.
The same cannot be said for Ospreys this week, during which there was a surprise discovery of a new Northamptonshire breeding pair and wandering birds assumed a high profile. Individuals visited Pitsford Res on 8th, 9th, 10th and 13th, while further singles were seen over the River Nene between Achurch and Wadenhoe on 9th, over the River Ise near Desborough on 11th and flying east over the Brampton Valley below Brixworth on the same date.
Back to Stanford again where some interesting information was unravelled regarding a visiting Osprey on 13th. Photographed as it drifted east during the first half of the morning, it was wearing a blue ring inscribed with ‘5H1’, making it a two-year-old female which had been seen last month in the River Usk Valley in South Wales. Later the same day, an unringed female also paid a visit to Stanford.
Ending the Osprey week was an 8-year-old male, blue-ringed ‘T3’, successfully fishing at Hollowell Res on 14th.
And then there was the Wood Warbler. Remaining faithful to the same spot, the popular singing male saw a third week out at Harry’s Park Wood near Weldon, although it has attracted less attention in recent days.
Northants birds 