I managed a quick look along the inlet end of Stanford reservoir late afternoon. In this area there was a reasonable amount of surface ice on the water, just indicating how cold the last two nights have been.
Twelve Goosanders were present, plus the usual other ducks. The mixed Tit flock was in the usual area, but no Firecrest seen today, instead a couple of Chiffchaff were present. Several Linnet and Red Buntings were in the bushes and rough area feeding on grass seeds/heads.
Wednesday, 30 November 2016
Tuesday, 29 November 2016
29th Nov -night frost -5C, Sunny, 5C
No obs today. I did see the female Sparrowhawk perched on the garden bird feeder at 0740h this morning.
28th Nov - sunny, light breeze east, 8C
A busy day but I did see two Great-spotted Woodpeckers fly in to the church horse Chesnut at 1530h
Sunday, 27 November 2016
27th Nov - broken cloud, light easterly, 8C
Well, today turned out pretty good. I had a text from Chris to say he had three Common Scoter at Stanford reservoir in the morning, not that scarce in the right place, but we don't see many here, but I did not rush off. Having done my jobs I decided to head off to see them, I decided to go to the dam end and look over the deeper water and then walk down one side, but which side, I decided to walk done the north side as this would let me see the other bays at the lower end. Anyhow, from the dam I could make out three ducks way out roosting that looked like Scoter. A I made my way closer they became clearer, females/immature, but they had their heads tucked in and were doing nothing. Eventually I got clearer views but to far off in the dull-ish weather for a photo.
I continued further to check the bays, Shoveler, Gadwall, Goosander and the other common duck were all present. I then noticed a roving flock of Long-tailed Tits and other Tits/Goldcrests so decided to check them out thoroughly for a possible Firecrest (we have had them before in the winter). Whoopee, the second small bird I looked at was a Firecrest - a very smart male, with a super orange central crown stripe. I texted Chris, fortunately he was nearby and on arrival was also able to see the Firecrest. This is a great bird to find, the ringers may catch one in their nets, but to find one roaming is really special here.
On the way back a grey Wagtail was foraging on the waterline at the dam, a very smart bird.
For the afternoon I headed off to Brandon Marsh, walking through nHorsetail glade there were some interestingn bracket fungi and another roving flock of Tits/Goldcrest/Treecreer and two Nuthatch was found, but nothing scarce this time. A number of Chaffinch, Goldfinch and ~8 Siskin were feeding in an Alder tree.
On East marsh plenty of Teal and Shoveler, a male Goldeneye and two Pochard and all the other regulars. At the ted Jury hide a Peregrine was easily visible sitting and preening in the top of the first dead tree, with two Stock Doves in the opposite side of the tree.
I continued further to check the bays, Shoveler, Gadwall, Goosander and the other common duck were all present. I then noticed a roving flock of Long-tailed Tits and other Tits/Goldcrests so decided to check them out thoroughly for a possible Firecrest (we have had them before in the winter). Whoopee, the second small bird I looked at was a Firecrest - a very smart male, with a super orange central crown stripe. I texted Chris, fortunately he was nearby and on arrival was also able to see the Firecrest. This is a great bird to find, the ringers may catch one in their nets, but to find one roaming is really special here.
On the way back a grey Wagtail was foraging on the waterline at the dam, a very smart bird.
For the afternoon I headed off to Brandon Marsh, walking through nHorsetail glade there were some interestingn bracket fungi and another roving flock of Tits/Goldcrest/Treecreer and two Nuthatch was found, but nothing scarce this time. A number of Chaffinch, Goldfinch and ~8 Siskin were feeding in an Alder tree.
On East marsh plenty of Teal and Shoveler, a male Goldeneye and two Pochard and all the other regulars. At the ted Jury hide a Peregrine was easily visible sitting and preening in the top of the first dead tree, with two Stock Doves in the opposite side of the tree.
Saturday, 26 November 2016
26th Nov - high cloud, light wind NE, 8C
Last night when driving towards Lutterworth from Gilmorton a Barn Owl rose up from the verge and disappeared over the hedgerow.
This morning there were 16 Collared Doves on the drive at home, a Green Woodpecker called from nearby too. I visited the local lake, there was about 100 Redwing, 10 Fieldfare and at least 20 Blackbirds feeding on the berries and track. Little else was about, a couple of Goldfinch feeding in the Alder tops, two Bullfinch and Long-tailed Tits, a Jay scalded nearby. On the lake a single Little Grebe and Tufted Duck were with the Mallard and Mute Swan family.
Shawell lagoons beckoned this afternoon, very few Gulls were present, maybe there had been an earlier disturbance, as they didn't come back, as they usual would do. Nine Lapwings flew by but did not settle, a single Snipe was feeding by the reeds, 20 Wigeon and a Little Grebe was on the south pool.
Some fungi were spotted near the quarry area.
This morning there were 16 Collared Doves on the drive at home, a Green Woodpecker called from nearby too. I visited the local lake, there was about 100 Redwing, 10 Fieldfare and at least 20 Blackbirds feeding on the berries and track. Little else was about, a couple of Goldfinch feeding in the Alder tops, two Bullfinch and Long-tailed Tits, a Jay scalded nearby. On the lake a single Little Grebe and Tufted Duck were with the Mallard and Mute Swan family.
Shawell lagoons beckoned this afternoon, very few Gulls were present, maybe there had been an earlier disturbance, as they didn't come back, as they usual would do. Nine Lapwings flew by but did not settle, a single Snipe was feeding by the reeds, 20 Wigeon and a Little Grebe was on the south pool.
Some fungi were spotted near the quarry area.
Friday, 25 November 2016
25th Nov - Sunny, 8C, mod-steady e/NE wind
A lovely sunny day which has got out of the dull and wet spell.
This morning there were seven+ Moorhen in the back field, they have learnt that there is plenty of food around the various chicken and farm pens nearby.
About 0900h nine Lapwing were flying slowly NW past the village. We have lost our big (1000+) winter Lapwing flocks from this area and rarely see any flying over, although occasionally a feather or two can be found. Small numbers, a few hundred, do winter a little further away though.
During the afternoon I visited Stanford reservoir hoping to see and maybe get a photo of the Hen Harrier. Initially I walked along the Northants side next to the fallow field so I could see the res and the fields. I had stopped and was counting and checking the duck when the Hen Harrier flew across the bay in front of me, then over the hedge in to the fallow field, quite good views, but not long enough to get a photo.
On the reservoir the duck numbers were good and the usual species present. Teal numbers remain high at 24+ and it was nice to see 17 Goosander, only three males though.
Next was to head to the old railway track to view the valley along which the Harrier flies to roost. I decided to view a field on the south side first (it was reported here the other day). As I walked along the track a Merlin dashed along the track in front of me then in to the field. Harrier not there, so I headed back to my usual spot. At 1542h the Hen Harrier appeared and duly flew past, I managed some quick record photos as the Harrier was 'harried' by a Carrion Crow and flew by quickly. Just look at the shape and size difference between the two.
This morning there were seven+ Moorhen in the back field, they have learnt that there is plenty of food around the various chicken and farm pens nearby.
About 0900h nine Lapwing were flying slowly NW past the village. We have lost our big (1000+) winter Lapwing flocks from this area and rarely see any flying over, although occasionally a feather or two can be found. Small numbers, a few hundred, do winter a little further away though.
During the afternoon I visited Stanford reservoir hoping to see and maybe get a photo of the Hen Harrier. Initially I walked along the Northants side next to the fallow field so I could see the res and the fields. I had stopped and was counting and checking the duck when the Hen Harrier flew across the bay in front of me, then over the hedge in to the fallow field, quite good views, but not long enough to get a photo.
On the reservoir the duck numbers were good and the usual species present. Teal numbers remain high at 24+ and it was nice to see 17 Goosander, only three males though.
Next was to head to the old railway track to view the valley along which the Harrier flies to roost. I decided to view a field on the south side first (it was reported here the other day). As I walked along the track a Merlin dashed along the track in front of me then in to the field. Harrier not there, so I headed back to my usual spot. At 1542h the Hen Harrier appeared and duly flew past, I managed some quick record photos as the Harrier was 'harried' by a Carrion Crow and flew by quickly. Just look at the shape and size difference between the two.
Thursday, 24 November 2016
24th Nov - cloudy, light NE, 9C
I went to Draycote water this morning to meet the ranger to discuss possible work at Stanford reservoir. So, while at Draycote I managed to view the water from the bank next to the sailing club. Just off shore a flock of Tufted Duck also obtained a female Scaup. A single Dunlin and a few Moorhen were feeding along the shore line. Out on the water Grant crested and Little Grebes, Cormorant, several Gull species, Coot, Mallard, Goldeneye, Gadwall and a single male Goosander were visible.
Several Redwing and Fieldfare were in the bushes near the car park and Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit were flying around. Unfortunately I ran out of time to explore further today.
In the village, at 1530h, a Sparrowhawk sat on my garden birdfeeder.
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