In-the-garden tick #38 (admittedly Cat C4): Racing Pigeon. On the roof this evening. A first, after 21 years of living here!
Jon Cook
@jcbirder.bsky.social
Birder, mostly local patch, sometimes further afield | Photography, wildlife, the outdoors | Northamptonshire county bird recorder: https://joncookbirding.wordpress.com
Wood Sandpiper still at Hollowell Reservoir this afternoon, hunkered down behind a stump in the channel of the feeder stream #northantsbirds #ukbirding #waders
Little Ringed Plover this afternoon at Naseby Reservoir. I’ve seen a fair few juveniles like this one on the local patch over the last couple of weeks: hopefully signs of a good breeding season. #northantsbirds #ukbirding #waders
Common Snipe this morning at Hollowell Reservoir, first one of this autumn for me. #northantsbirds #ukbirding #waders
One of at least two (probably three) Common Redstarts this evening at Honey Hill, Cold Ashby. A reliable site in spring and late summer. #northantsbirds #redstarts #ukbirding
Common Redstart today on the east perimeter of Cold Ashby Golf Centre, Northants. Thanks to a conservation-minded landowner, I’m fortunate to have access to adjacent farmland, including some classic late-summer Redstart habitat. Also foraged a bonus 39 stray golf balls, hopefully reusable.
Osprey circling high over Hollowell village this evening, with a large Bream; & being mobbed by the local Swifts. #ukbirding #northantsbirds
Grasshopper Warbler this morning at Hollowell Reservoir. Reeling from a dense patch of Meadowsweet, and showing occasionally. A late first for me this year, perhaps overlooked here.
Spotted Flycatcher pair still in & around our garden; both birds active from dawn to dusk, taking food to presumed nest in hydrangea on our neighbour’s wall. No sound whatsoever from the nestlings.
Sitting in the back garden, watching Swifts overhead. Lovely.
Spotted Flycatcher, present in & around our garden since May 1st, joined this morning by a female. Courtship observed, with the male bird feeding the female.
Tyne Kittiwakes on the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead. Good to see the colony apparently doing well, despite the maintenance work on the Tyne Bridge.
Nightjar this evening, Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk. 1-2 churring & 1 heard calling, but didn’t show themselves.
Manx Shearwaters this morning at Pendeen Watch. A constant stream heading SW between 0600 and 0800.
Tawny Owl this morning at Ravensthorpe Reservoir. Above the path just ahead of me: don’t think I’ve ever had a better view of this species. Spent an enjoyable couple of minutes in its company. #northantsbirds
Spotted Flycatcher today in Hollowell village. A welcome early return - first seen here last year on 5th June. Just one bird, around for most of the morning; & seen investigating previous attempted nest site in neighbour’s Hydrangea. #northantsbirds
Passage of Common Sandpipers this morning: 8 at Hollowell Reservoir, then 8 again at nearby Ravensthorpe Res. (photo); based on timings, I’d say two different parties. High Spring counts for both sites #northantsbirds #waders
Found these Barn Owl flight feathers a couple of weeks ago. No sign of the rest of the bird. Perhaps lost in a tussle? (found in a meadow also frequented by Kestrels).
Tree Sparrow this afternoon near Sibbertoft. Local & declining in these parts, so it was very pleasing to find a ‘new’ site. One bird collecting nest material. Several years since I’ve seen one anywhere other than the feeding station at Pitsford Res. #northantsbirds
Black Terns and Little Gulls this afternoon at Pitsford Reservoir (10+ and 5+ respectively while I was there), very active and mobile. Lots moving through the county today; glad I managed to connect with a few of them. #northantsbirds
Yellow Wagtail this evening at Hollowell Reservoir, one of two feeding on the spillway. First-of-year for me. Seeing these has to be one of the best things about springtime birding. #northantsbirds
