Saturday 26 August 2017

Bits and Bobs from the last couple of days

Yesterday in the valley below Hanging Houghton there was a Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Redstart and a Whinchat.  
There were a further 2+ Common Redstart in a hedge between the villages of Old and Walgrave.  This is an "old" hedgerow which follows the fields from Old into the back of the Walgrave arm of Pitsford Reservoir and attracts a steady movement of passerines as they continue on their migration.
I have had a couple of very quiet visits to Harrington Airfield including one this morning in what seemed perfect conditions for a good bird, but sadly not. The bushes and fields were deadly.
At Staverton the resident Ravens were rather vocal and seemingly playing about, tumbling through the air and generally enjoying themselves.
On my way back home I stopped off at Borough Hill and it felt a bit like "old times" as there had obviously been a fall of birds. I lost count of the number of Spotted Flycatchers who were flitting about and flycatching along a couple of the hedges. There was easily 8 individual birds. These hedges were alive with birds, mainly Bluetits, Long Tailed Tits, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Whitethroats.   Also in the same area were 2 Common Redstart which were in addition to a Common Redstart seen near the car park.   There was a Whinchat in one of the furthest fields from the car park.  
A Marsh Harrier and Whinchat were again present in the valley towards Blueberry this evening.

Chris Payne undertook a ringing session at Stortons yesterday [25th] where 71 birds in total were trapped with only 6 being retraps.  The majority of birds caught were youngsters.  There were good numbers of Blackcaps and Chiffchaff. 
A retrap Cettis Warbler was initially ringed in 2014.
Birds caught : Blackcap 21, Reed Warbler 12, Cettis Warbler 5, Sedge Warbler 1, Whitethroat 2, Bluetit 7, Robin 2, Long Tailed Tit 8, Great Tit 1, Chiffchaff 9, Wren 2,.

Regards Eleanor 




No comments: