Birding in Northants (1 Viewer)

[string boozel]

I was in bandit country this morning and doing a spot of charity stuff at Eyebrook, can't talk about it here of course but four Smew were nice to see. A friend later dropped me off in the Welland Valley where I had a chance to check out the Northants side.

On some flood water below Cottingham there was a pair of Oystercatchers, a pair of Shelduck, a Green Sandpiper, a Little Egret and a few Lapwing in amongst the squawking horde of gulls. Closer to Cottingham itself were several Yellowhammers while close to Rockingham three Cormorants were (wisely) seen leaving the barren lands in favour of our fair county.

Although there were few passerines between Cottingham and Rockingham apart from a few Linnets the situation between Rockingham and Gretton was better. Many Skylarks were singing and there was a good sized flock of Chaffinches and several Yellowhammers. At a small sewage treatment works I saw a Grey Wagtail and close by a female Stonechat. A Red-legged Partridge noisily whirring its way across the road was my first local one of the year.

Saw my first Coltsfoot of the Spring and a single bee.

James.

 

[markspirito]

It seems to be a good time of year to listen to Redwing , Fieldfare and also Redopll singing before they depart, I have heard all 3 species singing in the sun this weekend, something we dont get chance to hear much in the UK. also a single Chiff chaff , several small Tortoiseshell butterflies on the wing and honey bees feeding on catkins at daventry Country park

Mark

 

[string boozel]

I've still not seen a butterfly this year and failed again today at the patch where the sunshine was Springlike but the wind belonged to Winter. A typically uneventful mid March day with only a couple of Grey Herons to report, they tend to disappear for a while in late winter so it's good to have them back.

In the garden a large brown hoverfly was active and feeding on one of the early flowers and a Carrion Crow was treating me to its version of song. This appears to be a series of the typical cawing sounds with a few quiet clicking noises interspersed and the mobbing call which had me looking skywards on several occasions. I can't recall hearing this before and it was interesting if not very melodic.

One brief question. As a non driver I was wondering what the function of those little flashing orange lights on cars was. I was led to believe they were for indicating the intended direction of a car to other road users but have come to the conclusion that they only really indicate whether or not the driver is a moron. On a lot of occasions they don't get used at all, I may well have underestimated the shear physical effort required to operate them or they signal one direction and then go another. It's fairly difficult to try and cross near one of the busier roundabouts as it is without having to second guess the intensions of a driver. Sorry about that but I always waffle when there's not much to report.

James.

 

[string boozel]

A one day weekend so I had to make full use of it and chose to do a three lake walk in rather pleasant Spring conditions. I began at Blatherwyke where a pristine drake Goosander was the highlight amongst a reasonable haul of the commoner wildfowl including two Shelducks and about two hundred Wigeon. A Kingfisher and Little Egret rounded up the waterbird tally although a pair of Black Swans and some imposing looking domestic Chinese Geese were interesting. Continuing on the domestic theme three Llamas on the edge of the village were an incongruous sight.

Walking on through Bulwick and beyond adding species such as Mistle Thrush, Lapwing and Yellowhammer I came across a large flock of Starlings. Not a murmuration, barely a mutter in fact but they did have some Fieldfares and Redwings for company, there were still quite a lot of the latter around including over a hundred near Deene. On the lake here the Shelduck total was fourteen and there was a Cormorant, Grey Heron and several Dabchicks. At the back of the village on a smaller lake were a pair of Eygptian Geese which I think may well be my first Northants ones.

From here it was on to Harringworth Lodge Lake where I saw a small selection of waterbirds and the final list of waterfowl was G.C Grebe, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Mute Swan, Greylag and Canada Geese as well as Coot and Moorhen in addition to those already mentioned. My walk continued along the Jurassic Way to Gretton adding a first local Nuthatch of the year before a well earned pub lunch.

It was good to see a number of farmland birds on my stroll including Linnet, Skylark and Yellowhammers while a couple of song flighting Meadow Pipits were nice. On the mammal front a Brown Hare was seen between Bulwick and Deene.

James.

 

[string boozel]

I made a short visit to the patch this morning and in the beautiful Spring sunshine managed to see my first Brimstones and Small Tortoiseshells as well as a Two-spotted Ladybird. On the bird front a Kestrel and the first singing Chiffchaff stole the honours though both Green Woodpecker and Grey Wagtail had returned after a longish absence. Perhaps appropriately the only mammal seen was a very young Rabbit.

I'm away to Norfolk for a family weekend so hope that everyone enjoys their birding over the next few days.

James.

 

[string boozel]

A surprise half day off work meant that I could take a quick stroll over to the patch. Here a group of chaps working on the line forced a change from my usual routine. Instead of having my normal wander I stood next to the stream and waited for the stuff to come to me. Happily a few bits and bobs did come my way and first up was a singing Chiffchaff followed (not literally) by a Kestrel. Next on the menu was a real surprise, a Swallow flying gamely into a westerly wind which was my first ever March bird in Corby. A final treat was a typically brief view of a Kingfisher, always a welcome sight.

James.

 

[string boozel]

I repeated my walk of a fortnight ago beginning at Blatherwyke and allowing a little more time to get to Gretton. Duck numbers had fell at the lake with Wigeon in particular much reduced though numbers of Shelduck had risen to seven. Of two hirundines seen one was definitely a first Sand Martin of the year and a Kingfisher and a Little Egret were also seen.

The walk between here and Deene was fairly uneventful though the four common species of raptor were seen and Yellowhammers appeared to be present in good numbers. Not a great deal at Deene, nineteen Shelduck were counted and another Little Egret was found. Many Chiffchaffs were singing today though no other warblers were noted, I was hoping for either Willow or Blackcap.

Perhaps the best birds of the day were a male and female Wheatear near Gretton, the male in particular looked stunning. Waterbirds seen today were G.C. Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Mute Swan, Canada and Greylag Goose,Mallard, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Coot and Moorhen. Although gulls seem to have moved on from Corby itself large numbers of Common Gulls were present in the fields around Bulwick.

A few insects seen today included Bee Fly and Seven-spotted Ladybird.

James.

 

[string boozel]

Well it was a text book April day today with some fairly nasty showers in between sunny spells and I was more than happy to avoid the worst of it on my walk around the patch. It was fairly dull to be honest with a full complement of Chiffies singing away but no other warblers yet. A pair of Greylags on the ponds are normal for April, I think that if you spilled a drink at this time of the year a prospecting pair would turn up on the resultant puddle! With so little else to distract me I went into full dude mode and enjoyed watching close and protracted views of a Wren, they're such charismatic little birds and so often ignored.

A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly was braving the showery conditions but few other bugs were seen.

A Chiffchaff singing in the village was an uncommon record and I just wish it could have been a bit closer to my garden.

James.

 

[markspirito]

The summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe was a nice one for Daventry Country ( Saturday 2nd ) Park although a little tricky to find amongst the trees, several Willow Warblers singing here too now, one or two Swallows about also.

Mark

 

[string boozel]

I was up early enough to see a layer of frost still sparkling on the grass but it didn't hang around long in the morning sunshine. My walk took me past Stanion Lane Plantation where a first Willow Warbler of the Spring was heard singing, many more were heard throughout the rest of the day. Not much else was seen between here and Laundimer Wood apart from a pair of Canada Geese next to a small pond.

The wood itself was alive with birdsong and several Blackcaps were heard amongst the other songsters. Two Willow Warblers were so intent on their territorial dispute that they dangled rather precariously from the end of a branch locked foot to foot for at least twenty seconds, I left them chasing each other through the birches. Arriving at Fermyn Country Park I was treated to a fly by drake Mandarin and a selection of the commoner species.

Continuing on a bridleway heading back in the general direction of home I was pleased to note good numbers of singing Yellowhammers, a few pairs of Reed Buntings in Oilseed Rape fields and a pair of Lapwing displaying near to the Welland Valley Gliding Club. It's good to see some of our farmland birds doing well and the numbers of singing Skylarks added to my general sense of wellbeing.

Overall a good day to enjoy some of our commoner species while waiting for the next wave of migrants to arrive.

James.

 

[string boozel]

Another early start today and I took a stroll over to Southwood and Stanion Lane. Nothing too exciting to report with just a selection of the usual species about including Marsh Tit. The large clearing has avoided development so far and had attracted a Lapwing as well as the more usual Skylarks and Meadow Pipit.

On the mammal side of the fence a Muntjac was heard barking and I disturbed a herd of thirteen Fallow Deer.

While cutting the grass with some long handled shears I was followed for most of the time by a very bold male Blackbird which practically ran over my feet in its quest for food. The strategy appeared to be very successful as he was constantly going back and forth with a beak full of assorted wriggly things though as a reluctant gardener if I have my way it may be quite a while before his next banquet!

James.

 

[string boozel]

A fair old trek today with a walk down to East Carlton Park and on through the Welland Valley to Gretton and back to Corby. A reasonable selection of species seen while passing through a frosty Corby included three different Green Woodpeckers and several Blackcaps.

Not a great deal at East Carlton though the park was alive with birdsong and I had good views of Treecreeper. Nearby, in the valley below Cottingham three egrets in a sheep field had the old backside twitching a little until I established that they were Littles. Also here were a few Tufted Ducks, several Canada Geese and a late Black-headed Gull. Moving on I heard the rattling song of my first Lesser Whitethroat of the Spring, it was to be one of four.

Around Rockingham the Swallows were busy with their nest building and there were good numbers of Yellowhammers. Walking along the Jurassic Way towards Gretton I was struck by the low numbers of farmland birds though a song flighting Meadow Pipit was the first of two seen today. On a flooded field near Gretton I found three Gadwall and there was at least one Dabchick on a nearby quarry pool.

Nothing much on view at Brookfield, I was hoping for a few butterflies as I've had a dreadful year for them so far but no joy. The second singing Mipit of the day was seen near to Asda and that was that for the days birding, nothing too exciting but close to sixty species seen.

James.

 

[markspirito]

At Daventry Country Park 4 Common Tern now taking up position on the rafts, also Sand Martin , Swallow , House Martin and a single swift could all be seen together, nearby at Braunston a Red Kite...they are becoming more regular now and also a single Sedge Warbler singing alongside the Canal.

Mark

 

[string boozel]

I had a walk around the patch this morning and in truth it was fairly dull in just about every respect. Amongst the few highlights were a first brood of Mallard ducklings that included an almost luminous yellow one while ma Moorhen was sitting tight on a clutch of eggs. Willow Warblers and Blackcaps have finally reached the patch but I wouldn't mind seeing some of those migrants that Mark has been enjoying. Still I'm off to Spain for a couple of days birding so I can't really grumble.

James.

 

[string boozel]

I got back to Corby in the wee small hours of this morning so I was somewhat bleary eyed as I set out for the patch. The cold wind was something of a shock after a few days of hot sun but it did at least wake me up. Not a great deal to report, a Whitethroat was the first of the Spring and both Heron and Treecreeper put in appearances after a bit of a gap. In the sunnier intervals I saw my first Orange-tip and also a couple of Small Torties.

Back in the Village a singing Blackcap was near the church and a Lesser Whitethroat rattled briefly from a neighbour's garden. I managed to do a spot of gardening without my Blackbird stalker as both he and his mate were too busy mobbing some unseen menace with the assistance of several Goldfinches.

James.

 

[string boozel]

Got a lift over to BarnwellCP this morning and it was pretty cold, the wind still having an arctic edge to it. Not that many birds about though I saw my first Sedge and Reed Warblers of the year. Very few water birds around though but I had stunning views of a drake Mandarin. I realised that I had a couple of hours before I could catch the X4 home and Oundle while picturesque does not have a great deal to do on a Sunday morning. Solved the problem by taking a walk along the Cotterstock Road. Not much about though Whitethroats appeared to be out in force and I saw my second Northants House Martin of the Spring, I saw my first this morning in the Village.

No other wildlife to report though there was a procession of fine old cars passing through Oundle ranging from Aston Martins to Morgan three wheelers, sobering to think that I was older than quite a few of them!

James.

 

[markspirito]

Daventry Country Park now has a trickle of Arctic Tern passing through amongst the Common Tern, So I spent an hour or two comparing the subtle differences between the two species while a singing Sedge Warbler close to the hide was entertaining, there seems to be good numbers of Willow Warbler around now, with one singing in the tree close to my front Garden...still have not heard the now elusive cuckoo yet !

Mark

 

[string boozel]

A little milder and more than a bit rainier today and I had a brief visit to Southwood. In a now familiar tale there was not much to report. A pair of adult Cormorants roosting at the Clayhole, I would have thought they would have more pressing nest related business elsewhere and a pair of territorial Lapwings in the large clearing was about it. Two herds of Fallow Deer also in the clearing totalling 36 individuals were the only non birdy thing of interest.

James.

 

[string boozel]

I had far more red wine last night than is good for me but that did not stop me from having a very early start at Lings Wood in Northampton. There was a good selection of the commoner woodland birds around and a bit of a surprise in the shape of two Ring-necked Parakeets which were my first Northants ones. The undoubted star of the show however was the near mythical Lesser Spotted Woodpecker which was heard calling and drumming and finally seen very well. A three woodpecker day for the first time in ages and very much appreciated.

After the excitement at Lings a visit to the patch was always going to be a bit of an anti-climax and so it proved where a singing Lesser Whitethroat was the only real highlight. This means that all five of the regular breeding warblers are now on site. Butterflies seen were Brimstone and Small White.

James.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I had far more red wine last night than is good for me but that did not stop me from having a very early start at Lings Wood in Northampton. There was a good selection of the commoner woodland birds around and a bit of a surprise in the shape of two Ring-necked Parakeets which were my first Northants ones. The undoubted star of the show however was the near mythical Lesser Spotted Woodpecker which was heard calling and drumming and finally seen very well. A three woodpecker day for the first time in ages and very much appreciated.

After the excitement at Lings a visit to the patch was always going to be a bit of an anti-climax and so it proved where a singing Lesser Whitethroat was the only real highlight. This means that all five of the regular breeding warblers are now on site. Butterflies seen were Brimstone and Small White.

James.

I'm wondering if this might be the first time the mighty Lings Wood has been mentioned on BF! I grew up within sight of the wood and spent many 'happy' hours there not seeing many birds. I did used to see Lesser-spots there quite regularly though, and one year (around mid-80s) remember finding a nest, which provided great views. Up until the 90s I don't think I'd ever seen a Lesser-spot further than a mile from home so they were very much a local bird for me. It's good to know that they're back there, particularly given how rare they've become these days.