'ot Spot

For the second day running I got to see the sun and it turned out to be a lovely morning. Not for the first time I popped over to Barnwell CP where the possibility of seeing otters was the draw. The river and the park were fogbound when I first arrived but it soon lifted and visibility improved.

Early fog soon lifted.

Kingfisher Hide was empty when I arrived though I was a bit annoyed as my arrival flushed two Kingfishers from branches very close to the hide. While the 'fishers did hang around for the duration of my stay neither provided any chances for pics. The second stars on the bill were a little more obliging though only just! Panicking Mallards drew my attention to some ripples which in turn lead to a sighting of a fishing Otter. Brief and distant views followed before it disappeared though some minutes later I had similar views of two. By now the hide was beginning to fill with photographers so having enjoyed the sightings if not the photographic opportunities I left to make room for them.

Duff pics, nice animals.

There were not many other things to report from Barnwell though the sunshine had brought out some Common Darters, nice to see given that there had clearly been a frost overnight. Others were seen along the Nene though they were the only insects of note. An Egyptian Goose at the marina was my first in the area for a while, I don't know what happened to the pair that were regular here early in the year and hope that they didn't come to any harm.

Egyptian Goose and Common Darter

All the heavy rain that we've had has meant increased water levels in the fields next to the river and it meant that I couldn't get to see all of the area between the lock and the A605. I did see enough of the area to note that Teal numbers had risen to about thirty though the Lapwings from last week had moved on. With the sky now having taken on a familiar grey sort of look I headed off back to Corby happy with my Otter sightings, I hope they turn out to be the first of many more this winter.

Cormorant eventually managing to swallow a Perch.

The Sun Makes a Welcome Return.

My brother David, Alan Shorrock and I decided to visit Norfolk today even though most if not all of the good birds that had been reported earlier in the week had clearly done a bunk. One thing in our favour though was the weather which though a bit on the chilly side was nonetheless gloriously sunny. We spent most of our time at Titchwell RSPB reserve which while not at its best was still OK.

A real rarity, cloudless blue skies!

A group of nine Whooper Swans were my first of the Autumn, the warden told us that there had been a movement of this species going through that morning. Also going through were some finches which included numbers of Siskins, we noted several small flocks from near the centre. I don't see too many Grey Wagtails in this part of the world so one passing over the car park was a welcome find.

Dunlins and Teal

Out on the marshes bird numbers seemed down but then again the water levels were high. Alan picked out a Marsh Harrier over the salt marsh and we heard a party of Bearded Tits pinging in the reedbed. Not too many waders were present, a flock of around twenty or so Avocets were still about while there were also Dunlins, a Ruff, Curlews, Redshanks, and a few other species were noted. Quite a large flock of Golden Plovers arrived while we were there easily outnumbering the one Grey.
Among the many Meadow Pipits seen today were a couple of Water Pipits, it's always good to see this scarce visitor to the UK.

Record shot of Water Pipit and Lapwing

Having heard that a Pallas's Warbler had been seen recently at nearby (but not so near!) Thornham Point was incentive enough to take a stroll along the beach for a peek. More waders were seen along the edge of the sea including Bar-tailed Godwits and Oystercatchers. Sadly the point was Pallas free and there was not a great deal of activity to compensate, grumbling bellies now decided our next course of action and we returned to the centre.

Godwit duo, Bar and Black-tailed

While the chaps were enjoying their lunch I went to look for any late season dragons or damsels that had managed to survive the monsoon. A few Common Darters were joined by at least two Migrant Hawkers and I managed to find a hoped for Willow Emerald. This male posed nicely and was also good enough to hang around long enough for Alan to see it, while watching this one a further two were observed.

Willow Emerald, Common Darter and Migrant Hawker

Our final stop of the day was at Thornham Harbour where we hoped to see some of the reported Twite. Luck was not with us today unfortunately and we left Twiteless though no doubt we shall pop back again at some point during the winter and try our luck once more.

Thornham Harbour - rubbish today for Twite but OK for Curlews

Oundle

I made another Monday visit to Barnwell CP before taking a stroll along the river for the first time in what seems like ages. The weather followed the recent trend in that it was mainly dull with just a few brief brighter spells and sadly for me the wildlife more or less took its cue from the weather!

Floodwater along the Nene.

Barnwell CP was quiet, a brief view of a Kingfisher was the main highlight though a growing number of Redwings are now beginning to appear. Otters have returned to the park over the last few days which means that Kingfisher Hide has become popular with photographers, I joined them for a short spell but didn't see any. Photos on the Northants FB page suggests that a few people did strike lucky with up to three otters being seen today, perhaps I should be more patient.

Grey Heron and Cormorants.

Another Kingfisher was seen near the marina while a group of five Fieldfares near Lower Barnwell Lock were my first of the Autumn. Recent rainfall has lead to rather a lot of floodwater along the Nene and the largest area between the lock and the A605 is beginning to attract birds. A flock of about fifty Lapwings were quite flighty while a similar number of Black-headed Gulls seemed more relaxed. About thirty Wigeon and ten or so Shoveller were feeding with Mallards and a single Teal, hopefully more species might show up as the winter progresses.

Mute Swans and Red Kite.

Little else of note today, a search of the spire of Oundle church failed to produce any views of Peregrine though the work currently taking place may be responsible for that. It was left to my old friends at Stagecoach to put the seal on my day when the bus arrived half an hour later than scheduled, I really am glad that I don't have to use this unpunctual service for work.

Robin.

No Regrets, Plenty of Egrets

My brother and I decided to head over to Stanwick Lakes where the reported Cattle Egrets were our main target. Unusually for a Sunday there was no rain though the air had a distinctly Autumnal chill to it. While no insects were found during our visit there were some good birds on view.

Egrets

Duck numbers are still low at the moment with only a small selection on offer and wildfowl in general seemed quite scarce. A first walk around produced views of a Kingfisher and several Grey Wagtails while perhaps as many as half a dozen Cetti's Warblers were heard. As we neared the screen hide a Great White Egret took flight but we couldn't find any of their smaller cousins.

Little Egret and Grey Heron

Given that we still had a bit of time to play with once we had got back to the car we made another circuit of the site and it produced some decent stuff. Somewhat unexpected was a group of five Crossbills that passed over near the vehicular entrance to the lakes. Approaching the screen again and we had further views of the GWE but more importantly we also saw one then two and finally three Cattle Egrets. They were sharing the bank with the GWE and also a couple of Littles making it three species of egret together. If I'd said that was possible in Northamptonshire way back in the seventies when I began birding I'd have been drug tested on the spot!

Willow Emerald and Common Darter.

Content that we had seen all on offer we made the journey home though a spell of sunshine persuaded me to ask my brother to drop me off in Weldon. A walk around the pond produced several Common Darters and a male Southern Hawker though these were outshone by a male Willow Emerald. This is the second one I've seen here and hopefully suggest that they are colonising this spot. Best bird here was a Kingfisher, they're becoming quite regular at this pond.

Monday Grey Gives Me The Blues

Yesterday's late evening burst of sunshine came a little too late in the day to prevent Sunday from being a washout so I was eager to get out this morning. Unfortunately grey skies and a forecast for rain limited my options so I once again headed over to Barnwell CP and it's hides hoping to stay as dry as possible.

Blue and Coal Tit.

Five Mandarins were seen on several occasions flying around the park and were probably the pick of the day's birds. A Kingfisher was glimpsed on three occasions from its namesake hide but didn't hang around for any length of time. Male and female Gadwall were also seen from here and were the first for quite a while. Not a great deal else to mention from this hide though I was treated to good views of some common passerines including Nuthatch.

More Barnwell Birds

Elsewhere around the park I heard a Cetti's Warbler and also a Chiffchaff but in general it seemed very quiet today. A small mouse or vole provided some entertainment as it scuttled back and forth from a pile of logs to grab some seeds left out for the birds. Perhaps unsurprisingly no insects were noted today, it looks as if mildew rather than frost will put paid to them in this grey and soggy Autumn.

Small Rodenty Thing.

Bandeds Bow Out?

There was enough sunshine after work today to make a trip down to Weldon seem worth making. My primary goal was to establish whether any Banded Demoiselles had survived the recent run of bad weather. Unfortunately it looks as if none had and that they've finally finished their long run here this year. Not a great deal of other activity today either with a few Common Darters being joined by two male Southern Hawkers. Any chance of finding other dragons was brought to an abrupt halt by the arrival of a squally and very wet thunderstorm which had me making a hasty retreat to the nearby bus shelter. The only other wildlife of note was a single Red Admiral and a Chiffchaff feeding with a large tit flock.

Common Darters.

Golden Lining

This morning I awoke with glorious pink light coming through the curtains as an apparently amazing sunrise lit up the dawn. I say apparently because by the time I made it downstairs the pinky loveliness had given way to grey skies which set the scene for much of the day. Leaving the house in a light rain shower I made my way to the bus stop from where I (eventually) headed for Barnwell CP.

Barnwell CP and Mandarin trio.

Given that it was raining over in Oundle too my first port of call once I'd got to the park was to head for the Kingfisher Hide. No sign of  'fishers but a trio of Mandarins did light up the place and were probably the best birds here. At least two Grey Wagtails were also feeding around the margins of the pond but they never ventured close to the hide. Of the passerines seen here a Nuthatch and a Marsh Tit were probably the best.

Cormorant and Moorhen

A let up in the rain gave me the chance to take a stroll around though my hopes of seeing anything of interest were hampered by a very noisy school party. Despite the clamour I managed to hear a Water Rail and a Kingfisher and see both Blackcap and Chiffchaff. Realising that things were not going to get much more interesting I headed off home.

Robin and Dunnock

The day still had a pleasant little surprise for me with the sighting of a flock of forty or so Golden Plovers and about twice that number of Lapwings in flight near Weldon. These were my first of the Autumn and a sign perhaps of the coming winter.

Great Tit and Carrion Crow