I'm taking a festive break from Torry to visit the folks in the picturesque East Midlands town of Northampton. Today I teamed up with fellow BF stalwart Ms HelenElizabeth II for some birding japes in the Greater Northamptonian region. In common with many other areas, chilly weather has been a feature in recent weeks and almost all the open water has frozen. There's been a bit of a thaw over the past couple of days but not enough to diminish the thick crust of ice. Or just enough to make everything a bit slushy and slippery.
First port of call was the causeway at Pitsford Res. Ice stretched in all directions, aside from a small open area by the car park, seemingly kept open by the throng of birds gathered there. Lots of Wigeon and Coot but nothing too unusual. We headed down to the dam end, where we took note of the signs suggesting that unauthorised vehicles were liable to be clamped. We were unauthorised but avoided any sanctions, at least this time. You may not be so lucky. A bit more water was available for inspection here, particularly at the far end of the dam. This held the usual commoner waterfowl, with Little Grebes in very large numbers, but not too much else until a redhead Smew decided to enter the fray, source unknown. She disappeared just as quickly. As we walked back to the car a drake Smew also flew in. Mysterious creatures, the old white nuns.
After finding our way through Northampton we arrived at Sixfields, home of the Cobblers and one of the town's premier birding destinations. Really. A wander around the adjacent Storton's Gravel Pits didn't turn up too much, aside from a few Goosander and lots of Redwings. It was while looking through these that I heard a familiar ringing trill. Familiar that is from Aberdeen. A couple of Waxwings zipped across towards some rowan trees. More followed, and eventually at least twelve were counted, toing and froing between some willow trees and the rowans. Splendid stuff - the first I've ever seen in Northamptonshire.
After delicious San Fran Veggie Burgers at American-themed food holocaust TGI Fridays, we headed for Clifford Hill. We parked amongst the bargain hunters in Riverside Park - Northampton's favourite retail park - and took a walk to the river. It really was a bit icy, with even the river being mostly frozen over. Negotiating the pool of despond (and horse excrement) that lay in wait across the bridge, we scanned the two remaining bits of open water. A few Goosanders were on the barrage and the deep pit held a drake Pintail and an immature drake Scaup. The latter was taking a tip from the Smew and soon took off and headed down the river. No nonsense. A few other bits and bobs were around – Fieldfare, Redwing and Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers.
Thanks to Helen for joining me in sampling the birding treasures of Northampton in the wintertime.
First port of call was the causeway at Pitsford Res. Ice stretched in all directions, aside from a small open area by the car park, seemingly kept open by the throng of birds gathered there. Lots of Wigeon and Coot but nothing too unusual. We headed down to the dam end, where we took note of the signs suggesting that unauthorised vehicles were liable to be clamped. We were unauthorised but avoided any sanctions, at least this time. You may not be so lucky. A bit more water was available for inspection here, particularly at the far end of the dam. This held the usual commoner waterfowl, with Little Grebes in very large numbers, but not too much else until a redhead Smew decided to enter the fray, source unknown. She disappeared just as quickly. As we walked back to the car a drake Smew also flew in. Mysterious creatures, the old white nuns.
After finding our way through Northampton we arrived at Sixfields, home of the Cobblers and one of the town's premier birding destinations. Really. A wander around the adjacent Storton's Gravel Pits didn't turn up too much, aside from a few Goosander and lots of Redwings. It was while looking through these that I heard a familiar ringing trill. Familiar that is from Aberdeen. A couple of Waxwings zipped across towards some rowan trees. More followed, and eventually at least twelve were counted, toing and froing between some willow trees and the rowans. Splendid stuff - the first I've ever seen in Northamptonshire.
After delicious San Fran Veggie Burgers at American-themed food holocaust TGI Fridays, we headed for Clifford Hill. We parked amongst the bargain hunters in Riverside Park - Northampton's favourite retail park - and took a walk to the river. It really was a bit icy, with even the river being mostly frozen over. Negotiating the pool of despond (and horse excrement) that lay in wait across the bridge, we scanned the two remaining bits of open water. A few Goosanders were on the barrage and the deep pit held a drake Pintail and an immature drake Scaup. The latter was taking a tip from the Smew and soon took off and headed down the river. No nonsense. A few other bits and bobs were around – Fieldfare, Redwing and Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers.
Thanks to Helen for joining me in sampling the birding treasures of Northampton in the wintertime.
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