Sunday Morning Shag

 Recently a veritable orgy (I believe this is the correct collective noun) of Shags hit some of the larger reservoirs in the Midlands. While Draycote and Rutland Water scored the largest numbers there were as many as seven seen at Pitsford. One of these birds has since been fairly faithful to the causeway area and Alan Shorrock and I set off this morning with a view to seeing it. Given that this would be my first one in Northants I was hoping to get some decent views and possibly a pic or two.

Shag.

Having paid for our permits and after stopping to admire some Red Admirals we headed along the causeway towards the tunnel which is the area that the Shag appears to prefer. True to recent form the bird was sitting on the concrete next to the tunnel and showed very well indeed. We watched it for quite a while as it sat seemingly oblivious to the constant stream of cyclists, joggers and walkers going past. By the time we made our way past again several hours  later the Shag had moved to the other side of the road though it remained loyal to its tunnel.

Great White Egret and Lapwing.

Other good birds here included a Yellow-legged Gull preening on one of the numerous buoys. A Great White Egret was seen on several occasions though always distantly, Pitsford's a reliable spot for this increasing visitor. Alan spotted a Hobby as it dashed past spooking a small flock of Siskins as it did so. Other passerines recorded were several Tree Sparrows and my first Pitsford Cetti's Warbler. Not too many insects of note with just the commoner species of both butterflies and dragons to report.

SE5a and Raven.

Shozzer wanted to drop in at Harrington Airfield on our way home where he was hoping to see a Redstart. Luck was with us as we found a male in the scrubby area closest to the chippings compound and it showed well if briefly. We saw it again on our return walk when it looked dazzling in the sunlight. Other birds seen included a Raven while Alan saw a Peregrine and we both saw more Siskins passing overhead. Of the butterflies seen a Small Copper was the best, there were also a few Small Heaths and Common Blues flitting about.

Redstart and Small Copper.