Another grey and foggy day though cooler than yesterday and with visibility that was if anything slightly worse. Alan Shorrock and I started off at Wakerley Wood where the mist did at least add add some atmosphere to our walk round in search of Crossbills. We failed to get any confirmed sightings though Shozzer had a glimpse of five bulky finches flying past which were probably this species though they remained frustratingly silent. More obliging was a Redpoll which called loudly as it passed overhead and a couple of Ravens were similarly noisy. Having spent some time wandering around the wood we decided to move on to nearby Blatherwycke Lake.
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| Scaup |
Visibility at the lake was poor which made viewing something of a challenge. It took quite a lot of time but eventually we found the long staying immature female Scaup, there was no sign of the other bird today. Reasonable views were obtained though she was quite distant and often obscured by the billowing mist. Alan picked out three Mandarins on the opposite shore and also had a tantalising glimpse of yet more bulky looking finches flying past. This last sighting persuaded us to try the churchyard in the hope of seeing some Hawfinches. Al saw a Hawfinch very soon after we got there though it had flown before I could see it. A nervous wait ensued until I saw one in a tall tree thus relieving any dip related depression that I may otherwise have suffered. Better was to come however as a look through the scope revealed more in the same tree, an eventual total of eight were noted, my highest total ever in Northamptonshire. When the finches departed we did likewise and headed towards the always welcoming Cross Keys in King's Cliffe, A Great White Egret was seen from the car as we passed over the bridge in Blatherwycke village.
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| Never mind Gorillas - here's some Hawfinches in the mist! |
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