NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

HIGHLIGHTS: Pitsford Reservoir logged a Slavonian Grebe all month, Red-necked Grebe (13th) and eight Pinkfeet (17th). A Long-tailed Duck at Stanford Reservoir and a Whooper Swan at Sywell CP stayed all month, with a Common Scoter at the latter (5th). Two Bitterns were at Thrapston GP (5th) and one at Stanwick GP (6th). Hen Harriers were at Polebrook Airfield (10th) and Grafton Underwood (25th). Iceland Gulls visited Stanford (2nd and 25th). Rushton landfill held three Glaucous Gulls (18th-25th). White-fronted Geese included 14 at both Whiston and Earls Barton GP, two at Thrapston GP, singles at Daventry CP and Pitsford, and six at Clifford Hill GP where four Bewick’s Swans flew over (13th). Great White Egrets were at Thrapston GP, Harringworth and Hollowell Reservoir, with two at Earls Barton and Ditchford GP, Pitsford and Ravensthorpe Reservoirs. Waxwings included 50 at East Hunsbury, 43 at Wootton, 41 at Irthlingborough, 27 at Kettering, 22 at Sywell, 13 at Ditchford GP, 12 at Oundle, ten at Boughton, nine at Rushton, and two at Brackley.

CLIFFORD HILL: Two Barnacle Geese, two Peregrines, a Yellow-legged Gull and five Stonechats were seen.

DAVENTRY: There were two Scaup, 14 Golden

Plovers, and Mediterranean, Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls. DITCHFORD: A Scaup, Jack Snipe, 39 Snipe and two Stonechats were recorded. EARLS BARTON: A Smew, two Red-crested Pochards and a Short-eared Owl visited. HOLLOWELL: A Caspian Gull, Barnacle Goose and six Stonechats were present, with a Smew and six Mandarins at nearby Ravensthorpe. PITSFORD: There were 90 Snipe, two Redshanks, two Green Sandpipers, a Jack Snipe, Smew, Pintail, two Red-crested Pochards, Merlin (13th), two Caspian Gulls, a Mediterranean Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, 14 Bramblings, two Willow Tits and two Stonechats. STANFORD: There were 67 Goosanders, a Smew, Pintail, 35 Snipe, seven Golden Plovers, a Jack Snipe, Green Sandpiper and three Caspian Gulls. OTHER SITES: Stanwick GP had a Scaup and Peregrine. Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls were at Boddington Reservoir. Four Short-eared Owls were at Neville’s Lodge Finedon and one at Twywell Hills and Dales. Two Caspian and two Yellow-legged Gulls were at Rushton landfill. Four Crossbills were at Fineshade Wood. Four Mandarins were at Biggin Lake. Two Red-crested Pochards visited Thrapston GP. Corn Buntings were at Warmington and Woodford Halse. Bob Bullock (01604 627 262)