Lilbourne Meadows; early afternoon.
Two Shelducks, a Redshank, a Little Egret, a Yellow Wagtail and other regulars.
Cossington Meadows, evening
A visit mainly to see the Savi's Warbler which has been here a couple of days. However, it decided to become quiet and invisible, so over a couple of hours only brief views and snatches of song. Need to try again!
While waiting a Cuckoo was singing, a Raven over with food, plenty of Cetti's activity and Common Terns fishing. Warblers included a Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat. A very noisy Water Rail.
Visited Lilbourne Meadows and Shawell sandpit/landfill this morning but nothing new at either site.
Eyebrook reservoir; afternoon.
A good selection of birds including -A Greenshank at inlet end, a Sanderling and two Common Sandpipers. Great White Egret and three Little Egrets, two Oystercatchers, two Egyptian Geese. Red Kite and Buzzards around. A couple of Whitethroats and Sedge Warbler singing. A Yellow Wagtail.
Osprey fishing.
A cropped picture -
Bittesby Country Park; morning
A Whitethroat sang a little in the east side hedgerow - the only new sighting.
Lilbourne Meadows; morning
A Shelduck again, a Little Egret. three Yellow Wagtails.
A Linnet and fed-up looking male Reed Bunting on the south side.
Warbler numbers are good now., Garden Warbler c6, Willow Warbler 3+, Whitethroat 3. Lesser Whitethroat 1.
Swallow, House martin and Sand Martin came in for a while.
A Redshank, a Common Sandpiper and single Meadow Pipit on the dam.
Lilbourne Meadows, late afternoon.
6 Yellow Wagtails and c12 Pied Wagtails. A Redshank was feeding on the mud in the corner. Three Little grebes seen, presumably we have two pairs again. Plus the current regulars of late.
Lilbourne Meadows; morning.
A drake Shelduck on the flood pools, another flew in, which was then chased by the first one.
A Swift - my first of the year, probable year first for Northants. Also, my earliest date ever, previous earliest was 25th April 2018.
Otherwise similar species to last visit.
Summer Leys NR, afternoon.
A Ringed Plover, several Little Ringed Plovers, four Greenshanks, a Black-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher, two Whimbrel came in. Seven Common Terns, Great White and Little Egret (2).
Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon (1f, 2m), Tufted,
Garden Warble near car park,Green Woodpecker, Stock Dove.
Bittesby Country Park; afternoon
A male Whinchat top meadows area. Plenty Skylark activity.
An unexpected Snipe called as it flew from field vegetation and landed a further 40 m on.
Shawell Sandpit/landfill area;
18 Red Kites, Green Woodpecker calling, Gadwall pair, seven Teal, two Mute Swans.
Lilbourne Meadows;
Single Oystercatcher, Redshank, Little Grebe. Several Teal, Shoveler and mallard.
Two Swallows, 5 Sand Martins and a House Martin. Single Yellow Wagtail.
22 Starlings feeding/gathering food on the meadows.
Lilbourne Meadows; morning.
A single Shelduck, plus Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler and Mallard.
Three Yellow Wagtails, four Pied, a Little Egret and Grey Heron.
Great Spotted Woodpecker investigation the fence posts for food.
20 Starlings feeding on the meadow.
Lilbourne Meadows, morning.
Two Yellow Wagtails, three Swallows, two Little Egret, two male Reed Buntings, a Kestrel and two Little Grebes.
Bittesby Country Park; afternoon.
10 Speckled Wood and one male Orange -tip.
Blackcap and Chiffchaff singing, two Stock Doves and a hunting Kestrel. Several Skylarks on the meadows and cock Pheasants calling/display.
Burton Hastings; afternoon.
A male Ring Ouzel was reported this morning in a Sheep field near the canal. I made it after lunch, only Gary Hobbs was present. After watching the male for a sort while, and a male Blackbird collecting food for youngsters, I noticed another bird close by, which I soon realised was a female Ring Ouzel. This had not been seen earlier by anyone.
