Weekend Wanderings

 A double post this time around as a very good gig by Bootleg Blondie prevented me from posting yesterday though the numerous pints of Staropramen probably helped too! On Saturday Shozzer and I took a trip to Deene where the early morning drizzle had stopped just before we arrived allowing us to look for Hawfinches in the churchyard without getting too wet. I picked one out as it flew overhead before settling briefly in the top of a tree, sadly it had flown before I could grab a record shot. We hung around for some time hoping for another glimpse but were disappointed and so headed down to the lake for a peek. While I was busy counting Shelducks (eight if you're interested) Alan picked out a Hawfinch feeding on Sycamore seeds in the churchyard. It was a pleasure to watch it going about its business for five or ten minutes and while the light was poor and the bird distant it still counts as some of my finest Hawfinch observations ever.

Rubbishy record shot of the Deene Hawfinch

Our next port of call was nearby Blatherwycke where we spent some time checking out the lake. Highlight here were a couple of first winter female Scaup. I originally posted on the Northants WhatsApp that one was a drake but subsequent checking of the poor record shots suggested that both were ducks. Not much else to report from here really, the large flock flock of Greylags did not shelter any more exotic geese amongst them while the churchyard remained Hawfinch free. After that it was time to call it a day though not before we had a pint in the reliably good Cross Keys in King's Cliffe.

The Blatherwycke Scaups

Today found me braving sleet showers and gusty winds on my walk to Brookfield Plantation. On the way I was rewarded with views of the male and female Peregrines at their usual spot, both birds were unusually close together as they sheltered from the inclement weather. Brookfield was very quiet and good birds were hard to find. A Woodcock flushed from next to the path caused a ripple of alarm as it flew away, they often seem to startle passerines when they fly off. Siskin and Marsh Tit were also noted on my walk through the wood but I didn't see a great deal else and eventually I could delay my trip to the shops no more. I'll end by saying that a quiet day in Brookfield is so much better than a busy afternoon in ASDA!

Peregrines