TABS 4 U

Hi folks, if you hadn't noticed Nick Parker has kindly reformed our header tabs. We have now all our photographic competitions under one Tab.

Nick has also provided a couple more tabs for members use, For Sale/Wanted and
Other Northants Wildlife.

So if you would like take advantage of these you can contact Nick or myself (robin.gossage@sky.com)

PEREGRINE FEST

It seems that these days Peregrines are seen quite widely in Northamptonshire. But back in the good old days they were and still are  regarded as an iconic species  but an awfully lot rarer.

Most views even now are brief and usually distant especially when they are hunting, but I always
feel privileged on seeing a 'Grin'.

Yesterday at Pitsford Water, Dave J, Wendy and myself watched a Grin for over ten minutes.

It wasn't perched neither was it hunting it was messing with the corvids. Now the large numbers
of corvids harass and make life difficult for most of the Buzzards, Kites, Hawks etc, at Pitsford.

This Grin turned the tables , actively just winding the crows up and when they got too close his
talons showed who was boss.
His twist's and turns were great to watch but when he dived no crow could live with it, superb !

Each time the corvids thought they had got rid of him he returned for more fun.

Also on show has been up 5 Great White Sharks,  just joking, lots of Little Egrets and the odd
Green Sandpiper Kingfisher and Otter.

Its good to know that every now and again those pesky crows get sorted.

Images from Spurn

Hello

Jacob Spinks spent part of his half term break last month with other young ornithologists at the migration hotspot of Spurn. There were plenty of migrants to watch coming in off the sea and a good number of scarcities and rarities too. Jacob was fortunate to find individuals of Tawny Pipit and Little Bunting himself. The following images were taken by Jacob during his time there...

Regards

Neil M

Dark-bellied Brent Geese

Eiders

Long-tailed Duck

Common Redstart

Black Redstart

Eastern Black Redstart

Long-eared Owl

Snow Bunting

Weasel

Hugh's Walks Daventry CP

Thursday 3 rd September, Hugh, John, Richard, Tricia and myself (Ken) met at Daventry Country Park for a stroll around the reservoir.  

The wind was a bit chilly crossing the dam, but once in the shelter of the trees it became more pleasant.  There were the usual gulls and odd 
heron, great crested grebe, tufted duck, wigeon and coot first thing  Hugh could hear skylarks and bullfinch early on but these were not 
seen.  Robins & blackbirds were constantly around as were crows and pigeons.  We eventually spent some time overlooking the scrape on the far 
side, where we found three snipe, two green sandpipers, shovellers, numerous gulls, tufted duck and wigeon - the call of the latter is a 
wonderful sound.  We met Garry Pullen (I hope I've got his name right) who could not add to our sightings on the far bank. Continuing on 
long-tailed, coal and blue tits, together with several good sightings of those adorable goldcrests.  We eventually made our way back to the 
car park through some lovely autumn settings.
Thanks once again to Hugh for arranging the walk and the others for making a very enjoyable morning.

Ken Scales.

Looks like you chose a really nice day and had a lovely autumnal walk Ken. Thanks for this.

If any other members have something they would like to be posted on the site just let me know.  Robin.