Low Key and Local

 Last day of my long weekend and I decided that if I was going to have another day of seeing not much I would at least do it locally! Choosing to go to the area near the sewage treatment works I had an enjoyable if predictably less than exciting walk around while trying to dodge the many showers.

Long-tailed and Blue Tits.

With shadows lengthening and more and more leaves falling Summer memories are fading fast and the day's birds spoke more of Autumn than of warmer times. This Autumn's first Teal at the site were flushed from one of the ponds by a low flying Buzzard. Similarly it look a low flying raid from a Sparrowhawk to show just how many passerines were on site. The marauding raptor's dashing arrival sent panicked flocks of Redwings and Goldfinches rushing skywards while the alarm calls of tits rang out. In common with previous visits small numbers of Redpolls and Siskins were noted while my first Bullfinches here for a while were also found. Once again the soundtrack to my visit was provided by the squawks of Jays and the ringing yaffle of Green Woodpeckers. With a fairly cool wind blowing and sunshine during my walk at a premium there was little other wildlife of note to report. 

Goldfinches

Disappointing

 My brother and I ventured over to Norfolk where we enjoyed a less than fantastic day. While the weather was fine if a little on the windy side we struggled to find much of note. For whatever reason there was a large number of people around which meant that we couldn't get parked anywhere at Holkham while even places like Holme NWT were busier than usual.

Dunlin and Curlews.

Beginning at Holme we dipped on the Red-flanked Bluetail and the Tundra Bean Geese and had to settle instead for a couple of Crossbills and some Bramblings moving through. Moving on towards Holkham we were disappointed to miss out on the reported goodies for the reasons outlined above. We had to settle for  a stop at Burnham Overy where despite a large number of people enjoying a Sunday stroll we did find a little of interest.

Brent Geese and Stonechat.

The muddy creeks held a few waders of which Dunlin was the commonest while the neighbouring fields supported quite a few Curlews. Both Brent and Pink-footed Geese were seen while the most interesting passerines were a trio of Stonechats. Of the five species of raptor noted an immature Rough-legged Buzzard was the highlight and we had good views before it drifted up the coast.

Rough-legged Buzzard

Other wildlife seen today included Common Darters and Migrant Hawkers while there was a good sized herd of Fallow Deer at Holkham Park.

A Bit Dull

 Another less than exciting day which I spent wandering around Bears Lane and Harry's Park Wood though in fairness it was a bit better than yesterday's slog. One definite plus over yesterday's stroll was a big reduction in the number of doggies that I encountered, I really don't mind dogs but too much of a good thing can be bad for you!

Countryside views.

A flock of about forty to forty five Golden Plovers was seen from Bears Lane, I think that they were feeding in fields next to the A427. Small numbers of Redwings were feeding in the hedgerow and I also found a single Chiffchaff. My first Redpoll of the day was also noted, small numbers were seen throughout the rest of my walk. Highlight was a pair of Ravens that flew over as I was making my way home.

Kestrel and Fieldfares

Harry's Park itself was pretty quiet with only a small number of Siskins and several tit flocks being of any interest. A look around the farmland on the other side of the wood produced a flock of Fieldfares and a good view of Kestrel but not much else. I'm hoping that tomorrow might deliver a little bit more of interest, it can't get much worse!

Going to the Dogs

 First day of my five day weekend and I was lucky enough to see some long periods of sunshine. I was not quite so lucky with my choice of destination however as I opted to go to the dog paradise of East Carlton Park. Although I'd hoped that a mid week visit might see a reduction in the pooch quota I was to be proved wrong and failed to find any of the hoped for Bramblings as a veritable pack of mutts were galloping around.

Red Kite and Peregrine

Not much of anything really in the park aside from the usual woodland species with Nuthatch, Marsh Tit and a Redpoll the highlight. After a quick dash around I chose to cut my losses and headed off along the Welland Valley. Once again I found little of note, some Siskins near Middleton and a Southern Migrant Hawker near Rockingham were the pick.

Common Darter and Comma.

The flooded quarry near Brookfield Plantation added Common Darters and a Migrant Hawker to my day list and also more sightings of both Siskins and Redpolls. It was very quiet in the plantation itself apart from a Comma though I did see a Peregrine nearby at one of their favoured spots.

Late Dragons

 Somewhat brighter today though not quite as interesting as yesterday though I still enjoyed my walk. I had a stroll around parts of Willowbrook Industrial Estate before heading to Weldon.

kestrel and Yellow-legged Gull.

There was not a great deal on view at Willowbrook and I noticed that yet another piece of land appears to be on the verge of development. So sad to think of how good this area was for birding in the 1980's before most of it went under concrete. One highlight was a sub adult Yellow-legged Gull on the bare ground that was cleared last winter.

Great Spotted Woodpecker and Shoveller.

At the A43 pond a couple of Shovellers had joined the more usual water fowl, these really are quite scarce in the Corby area and this duo were only my second sighting at this pond. For the second day in a row I was lucky enough to record a Crossbill as one flew over in a SE direction. Several Siskins were also noted around the pond keeping company with a small charm of Goldfinches. By the time that I'd reached the pond near the Woodland Park the sun was shining which brought out a few dragonflies. The highlight was a fine male Southern Hawker which made a nice change from the many Migrants that I've seen recently. Several Common Darters were also noted and I also found a male Willow Emerald.

Southern Hawker, Common Darter and Willow Emerald.

Autumnal Birding

 A drab old day with sunshine very much at a premium though thankfully it did remain dry for the most part. If the weather was dreary the birding was thankfully not as I walked from Weldon to Deene and then back again via Priors Hall. With the conditions being so dull most of the photos fall into the record shot category but I was just grateful to have anything to photograph in the first place!

Robin and Golden Plovers.

My day began on a positive note with a sighting of a Raven over the Old Village as I waited for my bus. Bears Lane was fairly interesting and I saw my first Golden Plovers of the season overhead as a minimum of sixty five  passed over. It was difficult to tell whether the sightings were of one flock that passed over several times or if several different flocks were involved. Also on the mover were Fieldfares, the ones at Bears Lane were the first of many passing westwards today. Several Redpolls were also noted as the good run for this species continued.

Brambling and Pied Wagtail.

The fields between Harry's Park and the A427 were fairly quiet until I had nearly reached the road when I heard a Brambling calling from a small group of hawthorns. I managed to get a fairly ropey record shot of what was my first of the Autumn. Nearby Deenethorpe Airfield had many Redwings feeding on haws, I thought I heard a Ring Ouzel but only managed a brief and unsatisfactory view of the possible candidate. Another species showing here in good numbers was Skylark and a sizeable flock of Meadow Pipits were present too.

Redwing and Green Sandpiper.

Deene Lake inflow had at least four Green Sandpipers feeding on the exposed mud as well as a decent sized flock of Lapwings. The main lake was a little quiet though I did see a pair of Egyptian Geese, a birder that I chatted to at the inflow had seen four. Last week I noted an otter here but this week it was all about the skunk as a young couple were smoking what appeared to be an impressive looking spliff while sitting at the dam. That may well explain why this area was so quiet! A Migrant Hawker was ignoring the conditions at the farm ponds as it hunted around the margins of one.

Egyptian Geese and Red Kite

Kirby Lane is often rather boring but today it delivered a flock of Crossbills near to the entrance of Kirby Hall as they flew south over the lane towards Priors Hall. At he birches the Redpoll flock was still there with at least fifty being present. Other birds seen here included Siskins while the quarry held a single adult Yellow-legged Gull hanging out with the other loafing larids. Another Migrant Hawker was the only other wildlife of note seen here today.

Migrant Hawker and Yellow-legged Gull

Short Morning Walk

 With the sky looking a little on the grey side and sunshine seemingly at a premium I decided to stay local so that I could get home quickly if the threatened rain began to fall. I chose to head over to the area close to the sewage treatment works for a spot of Autumn birding.

Grey Wagtail

The morning seemed to feel quite birdy with a lot of activity even if there was nothing that scarce on view. Birds passing overhead included Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Starlings while a Green Sandpiper was a nice site record. Small parties of Redpolls and Siskins were also on the move with several flocks of each pausing at the ponds before continuing their journey. Amongst the resident birds the harsh shrieks of Jays and a couple of yaffling Green Woodpeckers were certainly the noisiest if not the most visible. Rather a lot of Chaffinches were on view as well as a Bullfinch while Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail were seen along the stream.

Another view of Grey Wagtail.

Not too much other wildlife to report though at one point I found myself between two barking Muntjacs which continued their loud conversation for at least five minutes.

The Lakes

 Some welcome sunshine today and I enjoyed a decent day of wildlife watching as I walked from Blatherwycke Lake and on to Deene before taking a detour to Priors Hall. A good variety of wildlife included birds, a mammal and also some insects enjoying this late spell of warmth.

Distant Mandarins and heron duo.

A small group of Manadarins were present at their favoured spot at Blatherwycke and I also saw two Egyptian Geese. Best bird was perhaps a Great White Egret which was my first sighting here though others have reported them in the past. My first Fieldfare of the Autumn was heard near the churchyard where a decent sized flock of Redwings were present as well as twenty plus Mistle Thrushes. The Red-necked Wallabies were still frequenting the large garden in the village and I also saw a Brown Hare nearby.

Gun fodder and a Mistle Thrush

Not much between here and Deene apart from three Red Admirals nectaring on Ivy flowers, three other butterflies briefly glimpsed were probably this species. Not many interesting birds at Deene though the pair of Black Swans were seen. My first dragons of the day were Common Darters and Migrant Hawkers and I spent some time looking for Willow Emeralds. My search for these attractive insects proved to be unsuccessful though I did get some brief views of an Otter which was my first in the county away from the Nene Valley.

Starlings and wallabies

At Priors Hall I added a Ruddy Darter and Willow Emeralds to my list with the latter species present in good numbers. Birdlife resembled last weeks list with Redpolls, a Raven and a squealing Water Rail among the highlights. Other wildlife included Brown Hare, Fallow Deer, Common Lizard and a Meadow Grasshopper

Willow Emeralds, Red Admiral and Meadow Grasshopper

A Bit Better

 Today's weather was a little bit better than yesterday with some blue sky and sunshine peeking through in between showers. The birds too showed a slight improvement with quite a lot of movement in progress.

Brookfield Plantation and Pheasant.

Best bird of the day was also one of the first seen with a Crossbill being noted just after I arrived at Brookfield Plantation. It called several times before disappearing into the private part of the wood. A couple of Peregrines were also seen while several Grey Wagtails flew over, the first of what turned out to be a trickle of birds passing overhead. Also moving south were Skylarks and Meadow Pipits while lingering Summer visitors included Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap and a flock of House Martins. The farmland surrounding the plantation was fairly quiet though I did see a couple of Ravens and a small party of Redpolls. Another species showing in small numbers today was Siskin with several small flocks noted during the morning.

Peregrines

Not much in the way of other wildlife was on view, a Southern Hawker was hunting along one of the rides while a Muntjac was heard bearking in the plantation.