Lockdown Day Eleven

☀️☁️12C ~ Wind →W@9mph Friday 3rd April 2020 ~ More Common Scoter, Wigeon and Redwings on last nights Nocmig run but the highlight for me was a cracking Curlew sounding which flew through shortly before 5am.

This Coal Tit was a welcome addition to my 'Lockdown List'

Several Buzzards and two Raven, including displaying birds, enjoying the thermals when the sun came through for a short period mid-morning but no big changes during my walk today. Two additions to my "Lockdown' List with a singing Coal Tit at Calcutt Locks and remarkably, considering where I live my first Grey Heron at Napton Reservoir.

Beautiful sunset this evening at the marina

 

Lockdown Days Nine & Ten

☁️10C ~ Wind ↘NW@6mph Wednesday 1st April 2020 ~ Overcast conditions for my entire walk today with a slight breeze from the north-west. No new arrivals overnight at Napton Reservoir but (4) Snipe were flying around the reedbed before eventually dropping in. Other highlights were a Peregrine Falcon ('lockdown' tick) which flew at height towards Napton Hill and a flock of (27) Meadow Pipits, with several more passing through overhead. There seemed to be a lot of Blackbirds around today, each one scrutinised for Ring Ouzel but sadly I had no luck.

Plenty of Meadow Pipits on the move Wednesday

I was at Napton Reservoir when news of an Osprey over Draycote Water, due north from my position, had me scanning for a good 45-minutes. Unfortunately, I didn't get lucky and thanks to Theo de Clermont, who spotted the bird for keeping me updated.

Typical Common Scoter sonograph

☀️☁️12C ~ Wind ↗SW@9mph Thursday 2nd April 2020 ~ First to report is an amazing night of the 'nocmig' (Recording Nocturnal Bird Migration) which literally, after my morning walk, took me the best part of the day to analyse. The highlights included my first Common Scoters over the marina, followed by several soundings of Wigeon. In fact, I would even claim they landed on the marina waters for a short period. Also noted over the session Teal, Lapwing, Snipe, Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, Muntjac, (8) unknowns yet to be analysed and (43) Redwings, the increase in the latter likely due to the change in wind direction to a more westerly direction.

Red Kite over the marina just I returned from my walk.

My walk today began around 10am in bright sunshine, picking up a pretty worn Small Tortoiseshell butterfly in a sheltered area of the marina. However, By the time I arrived at Napton Reservoir cloud had blown in and remained for the duration of my walk. Once again there were no new spring arrivals but a single Gadwall was a grateful 'Lockdown' tick.

There were plenty of Thrushes to be found once again with (26) Blackbirds outnumbering the (6) Redwing and (11) Fieldfares which are still around but in decreasing numbers.

 

Lockdown Day Eight (Tuesday 31st)

⛅️9C ~ Wind ←NE@10mph Tuesday 31st March 2020 ~ Completed my daily walk today in springlike conditions but that niggly north-easterly wind still persists, although it was a lot lighter. Due to the threat of heavy showers a break from 'Nocmig' recording last night so nothing to report today, although when I popped my head out before bed I did hear a distant Tawny Owl calling.

Teal ~ A 'Lockdown' Tick today

There were no new arrivals to report at the marina today and just a single singing Chiffchaff. Napton Reservoir seemed to have a lot more activity than recently but still nothing new either in the way of spring arrivals. However, I did manage a 'Lockdown List' tick in the form of a pair of Teal, which dropped in during my circuit. There were more Gulls than of late with Common, Herring and Lesser Black-backed recorded. The reedbed remains silent, although several Reed Buntings were chasing around and like all my previous visits two Snipe were noted.

A wonderful encounter with this Kestrel at Napton Reservoir

Plenty enjoying the skies today with a singing Skylark, several Buzzards, (4) Raven and a Kestrel, the latter offering a perfect opportunity for a few photos when he eventually dropped down.

A Buzzard passes over the mooring today

Other notables today included: Goldcrest, Treecreeper and (7) singing Chiffchaff

A Cormorant enjoying the peace & quiet that has descended over Napton Reservoir 

 

Lockdown Days 4 thru 7

Since my last update on day three of lockdown, I've now settled into a new, hopefully, short-term routine. To be honest Dazza and I haven't been as greatly affected by the situation as some poor folk! We have no children, both my parents are passed away and Dazza's mum and Dad are locked-down in a very rural area of France. In fact, with Dazza now working from home, our weekly food delivery and a drive once a week to the local post office and general stores for other provisions we can survive quite happily.

Plus, we're lucky enough to live on a marina as you know, which has it's own grounds and is just a short walk from Napton Reservoir, which I now visit once a day and so we can't complain.

A typical Blackcap Song Sonograph

So to the birding and nature and during the last three days, I've managed to complete full nighttime recordings, although things have been generally quiet. There are still a small number of Redwings passing through in the darkness, with more around dawn, when the sonograph just goes nuts with birdsong. On Friday morning a Blackcap managed to beat the local Blackbird to the 'first singing bird of the day' accolade, but after a few brief bursts of song, he moved on. A highlight during my nocturnal recordings was a Water Rail, my first recording at the marina!

Kingfisher ~ Once regular around the area but not in recent times

I've been the only person at Napton Reservoir during my walks and as with the lack of public, there's been a distinct lack of spring arrivals too. Although high pressure has dominated recently the wind direction has been mostly from the north or north-east and this is perhaps having an effect on any migrants hoping to push north, mind you, it's still March! There are still Chiffchaffs singing, which are now well established and during today's visit (Monday) a small group of eleven Redwings passed over. A Kingfisher, strangely rare around here, was the highlight during Sunday's walk with Dazza but despite our best efforts not a single hirundine, similar to my other visits.

The water at the reservoir is still high, with little scrape for any passing waders to make use of, although two Snipe have been a regular feature during my visits. The reedbeds are quiet, with only Reed Buntings and the odd Chiffchaff to be found. Wildfowl consists of Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, many Coots and the odd Little Grebe pops out of the reeds occasionally. Gulls too have been thin on the ground but Common, Herring, Lesser & Great Black-backed are all on my 'Lockdown List' (basically my daily walk list) which now stands at 58

My daily walk

Lockdown Day Three (Thursday 26th)

☀️14C ~ Wind ←E@9mph Thursday 26th March 2020 ~ Last nights nocturnal recordings began at 23:30 through until 06:30. Despite clear skies throughout and a light frost this morning, things were generally quiet. Well, I say quiet but living on a marina there's a constant chatter throughout the night of Coots battling, Moorhens calling, female Mallards getting chased everywhere, the resident Mute Swans seeing off usurpers and Canada Geese (don't get me started there LOL).

Sonograph of Common Snipe passing through last night

The few highlights included Snipe, (2) Song Thrush, (15) Redwing individuals with a multi-hit (several birds passing over) at 5:05 and another (6) individuals through at dawn 05:17. The Tawny Owls were a little quieter tonight but no sign of Barn Owl. Once again the first songster was a Blackbird at 04:40 sixteen minutes earlier than Tuesday.

Red Kite at Napton reservoir passing at height

I had an afternoon walk on my now regular Napton Reservoir circular route which once again was devoid of fisherman! I can't get used to seeing it like this but frankly, I'm not complaining! The reservoir was quiet once again with just a few additions to yesterdays post, which included a Red Kite which drifted south at height a Sparrowhawk, which flew along to the rear of the reedbed and a Treecreeper in the trees around the moored boats. There is still a lack of Hirundies to be found but I'm putting this down to the clear skies and the east north-easterly winds.

A Yellowhammer would brighten up anyones day.

On the fields opposite the towpath as I passed Napton Narrowboats (11) Fieldfare were feeding and a Grey Wagtail flew along the canal. A total of (5) Chiffchaff singing in total around the route plus (2) Yellowhammer, (4) Buzzard (2) Kestrel and (3) Ravens.

Butterflies included: (2) Peacock and (5) Small Tortoiseshell.

Napton Reservoir circular walk from the Marina

Lockdown Day Two (Wednesday 25th)

☀️14C ~ Wind ↑SE@8mph Wednesday 25th March 2020 ~ I had planned to complete a 'nocmig' last night, but basically I forgot to set the recording up before I went off to bed, it may have been the wine!

My first singing Blackcap of the year at Napton Church today

My walk today included Napton Church and Napton Reservoir. It was another cloudless day but not as warm as yesterday. I was delighted to come across my first singing Blackcap of the year near the churchyard and the walk up to the windmill produced of note a couple of Goldcrests, Nuthatch and a Raven overhead. Looking out across the counties from the windmill ten Chaffinch flew through in a group but if there was anything else going through I'm certain that with the clear skies they would have passed high overhead, generally, it was pretty quiet, save for two singing Chiffchaffs as I walked down to the towpath.

A Great Crested Grebe enjoying the unusual calm of Napton Reservoir

A few Meadow Pipits and  Skylarks singing as I walked along the towpath to Napton Reservoir which was deserted! Unlike yesterday's visit, where despite being closed as a fishery had several individuals flouting the rules. Looks like maybe the Canal Trust have acted, if they have it would be a first 😀 or maybe I'm just being a little facetious!

The vibrant Peacock butterfly enjoying the warmth at Napton Reservoir

Again it was a quietish visit on the birding front with just a single Chiffchaff singing, a few hirundines high and distant (probably Sand Martin) and the usual wildfowl. Fewer butterflies too with just two Small Tortoiseshell and a single Peacock.

One of the marina House Sparrow colony 

I spent a couple of hours throughout the day sitting on the deck in the glorious sunshine. A Coot occasionally passed by carrying more material for a nearby nest, which I'm keeping an eye on and Reed Buntings were busy too, along with the constant chattering of our House Sparrow colony. The skies were pretty quiet, until dusk when the usual hoards of Gulls passed through, no doubt on their way to the Draycote Water roost. (4) Buzzard, (3) Raven, (2) Kestrel were other notables but it was eerily quiet with most non residents being asked to head home.

Lockdown Day One

☀️16C ~ Wind ⇐ SE@7mph Tuesday 24th March 2020 ~ So with Brandon Marsh now out of bounds, my Birding holiday in Oregon cancelled and 'lockdown' for the foreseeable future it's down to some marina birding, along with my daily constitutional. To be perfectly honest I'm well off really with the marina grounds to explore, lots of skies to watch, the nearby Napton Reservoir and of course Napton Hill, all within walking distance. I've also got my nocturnal bird recording system set up on the roof and its the perfect time of year for something special to pass through overnight.

Napton Reservoir ~ Just a short walk from the marina

I suppose I've been guilty in the past of neglecting my 'local patch' in favour of Brandon Marsh and this will give me the perfect opportunity to explore it in much more detail. So with that in mind, I'll be posting a daily 'Lockdown' update for my reader and I hope it plays a part in keeping us both sane during these extraordinary times!

Sonogram of a Redwing passing overhead

My overnight recordings on Sunday and Monday didn't produce anything too exciting but the local Tawny Owls were pretty vocal and a Barn Owl came pretty close overhead, nearly deafening me on the headphones! There are still a few Redwings migrating through with four noted and other interesting calls including Lapwing and a barking Muntjac. The first singing bird of the day this morning was the quintessential Blackbird who fired up at 04:56.

Small Tortoiseshell ~ One of my previous pics

Today, my walk included a tour of the marina, two Ravens over, then along the towpath, around Napton Reservoir and passed Calcutt Locks to Ventnor Marina and back. In the warm sunshine, there were a few Butterflies to be found and these included (4) Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and a Peacock but the highlight was my first Orange Tips of the year, a female on the opposite side of the towpath at Calcutt and a male back at the marina.

Napton Reservoir was particularly quiet with a couple of Chiffchaffs singing, two Snipe flew across the reedbed and the usual numbers of Great Crested Grebes and Tufted Duck and Gadwall. No hirundines during my walk but three Sand Martin passed over the marina in the afternoon.

It's not all bad! Sunset from the stern on day one of Lockdown

Extraordinary Times

What an extraordinary week it's been for us all!! Wednesday I had a planned trip to the Brecklands in Suffolk organised along with three other Brandon regulars and after some thought, we all decided to go but that this would be our last venture out as a group for the foreseeable future. Another casualty of the pandemic for me and my wife Dazza is the decision to cancel our planned trip to Oregon in May, we decided to act before the inevitable cancellation of our flight with Virgin.

Displaying Stone Curlews at Cavernham Heath ~ Seven birds seen in total.

Despite rain back in the midlands for most of the day our trip to Suffolk on Wednesday was dry if not overcast. We began at Cavernham Heath National Nature Reserve, where the highlights were displaying Stone Curlews, many Stonechats, Yellowhammers, Skylarks and three Northern Wheatear. Other notables on the day included Red Kite, several Buzzards, Red-legged Partridge and a couple of Grey Partridge. We had hoped for Woodlark but despite our best efforts, there was no sign. A worrying trend for the site as during last years visit only a single bird was found.

Another Stone Curlew on view at Cavernham Heath

A short drive from Cavernham Heath is Santon Downham an area of Thetford Forest that borders Norfolk and Suffolk, running alongside the river Little Ouse. It was our first visit to this particular site which is renown as a good place to find our sort after Woodlark. Grey Wagtails and Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers also breed here along the river.

One of two Woodlarks at Santon Downham

We managed two Woodlarks during an enjoyable walk, along with Grey Wagtail and a female Brambling, the latter feeding high in the pine canopy with a group of Chaffinch.

Woodlark at Santon Downham

On route home a stop at RSPB Lakenheath and a quick search for a reported Garganey, which proved fruitless.

My 1st Little-ringed Plover of the year at Brandon Marsh on Thursday

For the remainder of the week a few early and isolated visits to Brandon Marsh in search of spring migrants, noting my first Little-ringed Plover of the year on Thursday morning. Worth noting too that sadly the trust has put a block on all voluntary work on the reserve, so its all birding during any future visits.

Clark's Mining Bees in action at Brandon Marsh

On Friday and away from the birding at Brandon it was interesting to come across a group of Clark's Mining Bees burrowing away near the Baldwin Hide, an annual event and always fascinating to watch.

A record shot of a Northern Wheatear at Borough Hill, Daventry on Saturday

Finally, a walk around Borough Hill, Daventry on Saturday afternoon with Dazza for some fresh air produced a Northern Wheatear on one the many concrete pylons.

**Extraordinary times indeed: with news today (Saturday) of two Common Cranes flying directly over Brandon Marsh, a first for the reserve. What an amazing sight it must have been for Peter Cox and his wife Julia, I have to say I'm a little envious!

Springlike Brandon Marsh

☀️⛅️13C ~ Wind ⇐ SW@6mph Monday 16th March 2020 ~It's amazing what a little springlike sunshine can do! Although there were no new arrivals at Brandon Marsh today there were many raptors enjoying the clear skies with double-figure Buzzards, two Sparrowhawks and the local Kestrel pair. Even the Ravens got in on the act mid-morning with five birds seen circling overhead East Marsh.

On East Marsh Pool: (2) Redshank, (4) Oystercatcher, (4) Shelduck (with a further (4) overhead but not dropping in), (1) Great Crested Grebe & Kingfisher flyby.

One of three Brimstones today

Also of note a few more Sand Martins passing through and a couple of singing Chiffchaffs. The first butterflies of the year too with Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and three Brimstone.

Peacock butterfly enjoying the warmth

Cetti's Warbler in the rain from Sunday mornings visit.

A Robin just getting on with things (Sunday)

A Wren having a quick look around before heading back to the undergrowth

Long-tailed Tit in action

Brandon Week March 9th ~ 15th

It really has been like living in a wind tunnel over the past several weeks, although it has been milder of late. But could there be signs of a more settled spell of weather later in the coming week as an Azores high attempts to take control, thus opening the flood gates for summer migrants perhaps?

Singing Chiffchaff at Brandon on Monday ~ As usual, one of the earliest to arrive.

In the twelve years I've been associated both volunteering and birding at Brandon Marsh I tend to spend more time during migration periods hedge bashing and skywatching. This past week has been no exception finding my first Brandon singing Chiffchaff of the year on Monday with a few more arriving later in the week. Also of note on Monday, a very worn Small Tortoiseshell butterfly was flying around the John Walton hide, another year-first for Brandon.

A very angry male Shelduck snapped after the battle as he flies over the John Walton hide

At this time of year Shelduck numbers usually increase too, with an unprecedented 10 birds (4M~6F) noted today (Saturday 14th) by the Brandon regulars, which may well be a record! The early part of the week saw five birds competing for a single female with a number of serious battles taking place. (see above image)

1st Redshank of the season arrived at Brandon on Wednesday morning.

A regular time at Brandon for their arrival I watched the first Redshank of the year fly in on Wednesday morning, increasing to two birds on Thursday, but strangely no sign since. On the same day, a group of 50+ Redwings were noted at height flying east. It's a fantastic time of year as north meets south! As a sub-note: At dusk on Wednesday 23 Fieldfare past overhead the marina heading east and with the wind finally abating I may finally get a chance to complete some nocmiging (sound recording nocturnal migration) sessions.

3rd calendar year Yellow-legged Gull ~ Brandon Marsh

Yellow-legged Gull departs 

My first Yellow-legged Gull of the year was noted on Tuesday when a 3rd CY bird perched on the goalposts on East Marsh Pool. The same bird was recorded and photographed once more this morning by other Brandon regulars.

Stonechat along the main drive

I had to wait until Friday morning for my first Sand Martins of the year when two flew in, staying over East Marsh pool for nearly two hours before moving off. In fact, Friday was a very productive day with 3 Stonechats, one on Wigeon Bank from the John Walton hide and what looked like a pair along the main drive, spending most of their time around the gorse. A Red Kite also passed at height over Newlands before moving off. Also of interest during my visit 17 Common Gulls.

Muntjac seen regularly on Wigeon Bank

In addition... Five Goldeneye, including a drake, have remained on sight for the week, as too a single Great Crested Grebe and a drake Pochard was around for a few days in the early part. Four Oystercatchers, (with the occasional usurper flying in) seem settled. Cetti's Warblers are very vocal at the moment and are occasionally seen from the John Walton Hide.

Coltsfoot in bloom

Primrose Bank looking the part although it appears to have sunk in the recent deluges