THURSDAY 20 MARCH
Although the temperatures reached a high of
13 degrees C, the near gale-force WNW wind made it feel much cooler - and
difficult to bird at some localities. It remained dry though until a wet front
arrived just before dark and continued for several hours in the
evening.
With news of a RED-NECKED GREBE, I headed
north to NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.....on route, logging the 78 active Rook nests besides
the Northbound M1 near SALFORD (SP 7568)
Arriving at the dam at PITSFORD RESERVOIR, I
could barely stand let alone birdwatch - the wind was so strong and blowing hard
from the west. There was seemingly no shelter but as I approached the Valve
Tower about 250 yards along the dam, the RED-NECKED GREBE was taking advantage
of the structure and showing pretty well about 90 yards out. It was in
transitional plumage but had quite a lot of bright yellow at the base of the
bill and a fair amount of russet-brown on the neck and breast. Although a
struggle, I did eventually manage to get a few decent shots (see below). It
represented my first in the UK this year.
A pair of Common Goldeneye was also
sheltering from the wind by the dam, while 4 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Coot, 6
Tufted Duck and a male Common Kestrel were also noted; a Wren was singing from
scrub by the sailing club.
Just north of BOUGHTON (NORTHAMPTON), the
estate there adjacent to the A508 held 27 active Rook nests.
I then revisited LINFORD NATURE RESERVE with
the sole aim of photographing the WILLOW TIT at the Woodland Hide. I took along
my own food but it took a long while before I finally managed to get any shots -
the visits to the birdtable being so fleeting. At least 2 MARSH TITS were also
coming to the feeders, along with the usual selection of Blue, Great and
Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinch, Robin and Dunnock. The WILLOW TIT was in full song
on a couple of occasions, as were two freshly-arrived COMMON
CHIFFCHAFFS.
Two different Marsh Tits above.....
...and the sole surviving Willow Tit
The wood held at least 6 Winter Wren
territories, with 2 Song Thrushes belting out and a gang of 10 Common Magpies
around the access road.
The heronry was in full flow with 14 active
Grey Heron nests occupied and at least 3 of Little Egret.
Otherwise, not too much to see - 6 Great
Crested Grebe, 23 Mute Swan, 30 Greylag Geese, 15 Common Teal, 22 Coot, 12
Sinensis Cormorant and a pair of Oystercatcher on the
bund.
This pair of Carrion Crow were busy building
and relining their nest.
Nearby, WILLEN LAKE NORTH BASIN held 7
Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, Little Egret, 3 Greylag Geese, 18 Canada Geese, 27
Tufted Duck, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 28 Common Teal, 8 Gadwall, a drake Pochard,
7 Mute Swans, 6 Lapwing, Common Redshank, Greenfinch and a singing male Reed
Bunting, while the SOUTH BASIN yielded a further 43 Mute Swan.
Following a text from Steve Blake, I
diverted to TYTTENHANGER GP (HERTS) on my way home, connecting with my first 6
SAND MARTINS of the year; also 4 Lapwing, 5 Shoveler and a pair of Oystercatcher
