Northamptonshire Birding 12 and 13 April 2025

 My wife Pam and myself had a very enjoyable weekend with our daughter and three granddaughters in Little Addington, Northamptonshire, we arrived late afternoon of 11th April and stayed until mid-afternoon on the 13th.  The drive to Northamptonshire, and indeed our return was quite smooth although we did meet some obligatory roadworks.  

12 April

It is very rare for me to sleep in but on the morning of the 12th I awoke at 0845 (I am usually up long before sunrise) and eventually left our daughters at about 0945 for a mornings birding in the River Nene valley near Great Addington, the path is along the route of the former Nene valley railway which passes through Stanwick Lakes.  It was nice to meet people and share my birding day with them, it also goes without saying that I also made fuss of many beautiful dogs, which I also have a passion for.

The habitat comprises numerous lakes, wet meadows, marsh, mature hedgerows alongside the path, and reedbeds. 

Summer visitors were present in good numbers with Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs being the most frequently encountered species. Cetti's Warblers were heard in song all along the route, it is wonderful how this noisy bird has spread throughout England since they first arrived on our shores just over 50 years ago.   A single Willow Warbler was in song in typical breeding habitat.

I remember from a previous visit how Mute Swans gathered on a field close to the River Nene, once again, the field was productive with 75+ birds resting on the ground or grazing.  Also present was a pair of Gadwall and overhead a single Little Egret was seen.    

Late afternoon, I took my daughters beautiful Golden Retriever, Lola, for a walk along footpaths over rolling farmland.  My intention was to search for Wheatear on open land.

Rolling farmland near Little Addington 12 April

I had walked from the path in the above picture down to the low point here, the country here is wide open with great vistas, however, one thing this country would benefit from is more hedgerows along track-sides and field boundaries.

The bare field in the middle left of the picture looked good for Wheatear, the land had recently been turned, this indicated to me that invertebrates may be visible to tired and hungry migrants.  I walked the length of this field, checking as regular intervals for birds, and on cue the distinctive white rump of a bird immediately alerted me and checking through binoculars revealed as I suspected a 1st summer male Wheatear, the bird was typically alert and upright in its carriage, and it often ran fast over the land when it had presumably spotted an invertebrate meal.

1st summer male Wheatear 12 April.

13 April

This morning I was up at around 0430 with a plan to visit the Nene Way and Stanwick Lakes.  My route began at Little Addington, crossing the Irthlingborough Road, and then descending down the long path to the River Nene.

Looking east over rolling Northamptonshire countryside at dawn 13 April

It was quite evident that the rolling landscape here in Northamptonshire is quite stunning with huge panoramic views, however, as I had written earlier, the vast openness of  arable land would clearly benefit from more hedgerows, this would surely prevent soil erosion during high winds, and of course it would be a great boost for wildlife.

Once I reached the beautiful River Nene, I turned and walked towards Stanwick Lakes, I soon reached a lovely area of Bramble, Hawthorn, and Willow scrub where early morning birdsong was clearly evident.  This area of scrub held two singing Whitethroats, singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff, singing Willow Warbler, and two singing Cetti's Warblers, one of which sang in the open from a Hawthorn, a great sight for what is otherwise a very secretive bird.  One Willow Warbler sang from the opposite side of the river as did a male Sedge Warbler.  A  wet meadow over the river held a single feeding Cattle Egret. At least two pairs of Reed Buntings were seen in suitable breeding habitat alongside the river.

Walking back along the track to Little Addington, the weather had warmed up with bright sunshine. As I made the ascent I once again was conscious of the possibility of passage Wheatear.  As I made the climb I watched the track ahead of me as well as the short trimmed hedgerow, as I neared the top of this climb I saw a bird fly onto the hedge, the conspicuous white rump was a giveaway, this was a stunning 1st summer male Wheatear. Some wonderful views were had of this migrant as it searched the ground for invertebrate prey, whilst always remaining alert and upright in its carriage. What a great way to end my walk.

1st summer male Wheatear was initially seen well on the hedge 13 April

Wheatear near Little Addington. Typically in upright carriage 13 April. 

1st summer male Wheatear 13 April. A stunning, alert bird.

My wife Pam and myself had a great time visiting our family in Northamptonshire, as always we always felt very welcomed.  We departed at about 1500 and allowing for roadworks, finally arrived back home in Norfolk at about 1715.  It is always special returning to beautiful Norfolk. 

Thompson Water 1 April 2025

April is the month which sees the greatest arrivals of summer migrants into Britain, whereas autumn migration is a protracted affair, spring sees a great urgency for migrant birds to make for their breeding sites and habitats, territories have to be secured and held in readiness for breeding.

I arrived at Thompson Water at 0615, the conditions at dawn was grey with mist, however, the cloud and mist dispersed with the rising sun, it was quite pleasant but the east wind had a cool edge to it.

The first birds heard was Song Thrush with many singing birds present, which was very pleasing. On the water was small numbers of Wigeon, Pochard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, and an overflying pair of Mandarins.  A single Little Egret passed over in a northerly heading.

Chiffchaffs were by far the most abundant singing migrant with a few Blackcaps present to, the latter will see big increases now we are in April.  

The only evidence of winter migrants was a single overflying Fieldfare.  Most Fieldfares would have departed for their Northern European breeding grounds by now although good sized flocks can still be seen in April.  I have seen Fieldfares on the patch as late as the first week of May

In 2007, I found the first ever Cetti's Warbler here at Thompson Water, this species is now a firm resident at Thompson.  Today, I located 4 singing Cetti's Warblers around the site, one of these was very close, it is at times like this when you can appreciate the amazingly loud song for the size of the bird, for me, it sounds like the bird is shouting loudly at me in a scolding fashion.    

The Cetti's Warbler is a notoriously difficult bird to see, it lives a very secret life in dense cover and moves fast and mouse-like close to the ground, the loud song betrays its presence, however, you search the source of the song but the bird cleverly eludes the observer.  A long wait eventually produced this shot of very brief appearance by a male Cetti's Warbler.

Cetti's Warbler at Thompson Water 1 April 2025

Another very elusive species is the Water Rail, a bird of dense reedbeds, from where it delivers its loud pig-like squealing.  To the inexperienced the call of the Water Rail could be quite unnerving. 

As I was preparing to leave a single Swallow arrived at Thompson Water, a short while later, another first for the year was a singing Willow Warbler in typical Birch scrub habitat.  Willow Warbler was my target species for the day. 

Bodney 22 March 2025

A fantastic morning on the local patch this morning in the Bodney area with the highlights being provided by wader species.  Most of these observations were made on the training area where the habitats here replicate those on the upland moors of Britain.  A species more associated with upland moors, the Curlew, is a scarce but annual breeder in Breckland and this morning 2 Curlews were performing their beautiful, haunting song-flight.

Curlew at Bodney 

Also seen this morning was several Lapwings on traditional breeding grounds where the spectacular display flight, which included sudden twists, turns, and tumbling behaviour, was seen, this behaviour included the call which is wonderful to listen too.   

Lapwing displaying at Bodney 22 March 2025

At least 6 Snipe were seen on a wet meadow and a pair of Oystercatchers visited.  Two Little Egrets seen on a wet meadow where they were seen to stir up water and silt with their feet in their search for food.  In flight the Little Egrets were very distinctive in their all-white plumage, broad, rounded wings, and long trailing legs with yellow feet.

A distant Sparrowhawk was soaring high above woodland where it attracted the attention of a mobbing Crow, the Sparrowhawk gained height and eventually the Crow broke off from it mobbing behaviour.

Stonechat in breeding habitat.  A bird often associated with open windswept country

A pair of Stonechats were seen in suitable breeding habitat, the male occasionally came quite close and at one time perched on a tall weed where it was singing.  Stonechats breed at a number of sites on my local patch, habitat choices included wet meadows and marsh where isolated Bramble patches serve as nesting sites, and in dry areas such as forest clearings where scrub is used for breeding in. 

February 2025 - A summary of observations.

From a birding perspective February was dominated by the two week long (7th to 23rd February) Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust's Big Farmland Bird Count.  This is an annual count on the same dates every year and my count is conducted on a large Breckland farming estate, much of which lies within the army training area known as STANTA (Stanford Training Area) between Threxton, Little Cressingham, Great Cressingham, Bodney, and Hilborough.

The 1st day of February was work day, so I was therefore able to gather a few casual records whilst on my rounds.  At Cranworth was 2 Red Kites over the village and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard.  At Hingham (Seamere Marsh) was 2 Cormorant, one Buzzard, and a male Kestrel.  Singing Mistle Thrushes were at Garvestone and Scoulton, and a singing Greenfinch was also heard at Garvestone.

On the 2nd, a late morning work break visit to Seamere Marsh produced one Sparrowhawk (female) soaring over the marsh, also present was Red Kite, Buzzard, one Kestrel, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.  A pair of Ravens overflew the marsh and circled for a few minutes before heading off west.

On the marsh a male Reed Bunting was on a large patch of Bramble and Willow, probable nest site for this species.

Raven (seen at Hockham) An increasing species in Breckland

I used the morning of the 4th to conduct a recce for the forthcoming Game and Wildlife Conservation Trusts bird count.  I visited a mixture of habitats where I could maximise my species count, this comprised wet meadow, a large block of game cover of Brassica and traditional weeds and grasses within, farmland and hedgerows.  Notable highlights included Fieldfare, Chaffinches, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammers, a few Brambling, and a count of 40+ Linnets. 

And so onto the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trusts Big Farmland Bird Count between the 7th and 23rd February.  I have provided three posts of this count period, starting notes, a mid-count update, and the final day of counting, therefore I wish to provide some of my personal highlights. 

My first day of counting was on the 8th February and highlights included a calling Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, a Peregrine flying east along the Watton Brook valley at Little Cressingham, and a flock of around 100 Chaffinches visiting a large game strip.

The 9th produced a Merlin at Bodney, a scarce winter visitor to Breckland. Over the years I have seen a few Merlin on my local patch.  A pair of Stonechats were seen in suitable breeding habitat.

The 13th produced a juvenile female Goshawk at Great Cressingham, also in the same area a female Marsh Harrier passed through.  At least 3 Woodlarks seen displaying song-flight too.

On the 17th at Great Cressingham I located a male Reeve's Pheasant, a very large bird, also in the same area was another displaying Woodlark, a flock of 100+ Chaffinches and 40+ Yellowhammers visiting game strips.  Later in the day at Bodney a Kingfisher flew along Watton Brook.

The final day of counting on the 23rd February went out with a flourish of activity.  The day produced a couple of displaying Curlews (my first returning birds of the year), also, an impressive 4 Woodlarks, 25+ Skylarks, 50+ Redwings, a Raven, and an impressive count of 300+ Linnets.

Reeve's Pheasant seen during my GWCT Bird Count (An introduced resident)

Back to patch birding on the 26th with a visit to Hockham. I arrived about an hour prior to sunrise, it was a beautiful twilight and dawn, however, following a bright start to the day conditions did deteriorate.

A walk along a woodland track with just twilight for light, I could just make out the silhouetted shapes (and calls) of a least 4, possibly 5 Mandarins.  With improvement in light I visited a mixture of habitats including heath, woodland edge, and marsh.  I positioned myself with the low, bright sun behind me, with this a stunning Sparrowhawk drifted overhead.  Two Kingfishers were watched chasing each other over Pingos.  Two Woodcock were seen flying up from ground cover, a beautiful, enigmatic woodland wader species.

Later in the morning I saw and heard a large number of Crows all gathered in the crown of a tall Scots Pine, they were all facing the same way and straining their voices towards something, I scanned the nearby treetops and sitting in the crown of a tree was a large female Goshawk.  Crows, Pigeons, Ducks, Geese, Pheasants, and even other Birds of Prey, all show respect for this powerful hawk, especially given that they are all on the menu.   

On the 27th I visited Little Cressingham and my plan was to overview a large bare field and distant heathland.  This plan paid off with a very impressive and high count of 102+ Stock Dove together wandering the land, and occasionally put up if disturbed.  Also noted on this visit was large flock of 300+ Linnets, and to end the visit a Raven was watched flying over fields and woodland. 

GWCT (Big Farmland Bird Count) 23 February 2025 (The Final day of counting for 2025)

The day dawned bright with calm conditions, however, the promise of deteriorating conditions became evident as the morning wore on, the calm conditions saw an increase in wind to a light southerly with leaves flickering in the breeze, later moderate gusts and increasing high cloud foretell of how the day was to become.

Today was the final day of counting for the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trusts Big Farmland Bird Count for 2025, and it was to be a good one.  I chose my position with a variety of habitats in order to gather a good variety and count of bird species.  I overviewed a large recently turned field with a large game strip comprising brassicas and Linseed, field boundary hedgerows, broadleaved woodland, mature Scots Pine woodland, and distant heathland.

23 February 2025. My view for todays final Bird Count for the GWCT 2025

Some common bird species usually associated with this habitat were present in low numbers, or indeed absent.  Notably, Chaffinches, usually present in three figure counts at this location were seen in single figure counts or low double-figure counts only, but the most notable absentee was Brambling, with non seen during the count period, although prior to the count I did see single-figure counts only.  

The highlights for todays count was the following:

4 Woodlarks (Pair + 2 singing and displaying males)

1 Raven - watched flying west over the woodland in left of above picture (Calling)

Curlew - 2 singing males (my first returning birds of the year)

300+ Linnets - wandering the large field

The birds seemed to know this was my final day of counting for the GWCT, especially with my first record this year of displaying Curlews on the patch, also, the sky was occupied by many displaying Skylarks along with another highlight, the presence of 4 Woodlarks (pair + 2 singing males), sometimes directly above me.  These Woodlarks were visiting the field to feed, they will probably breed on a nearby heath or forest clearing.  

A single Raven was watched flying west over woodland and heathland until lost to view.  Calling was frequently heard.  I am so pleased to see Ravens quite regularly on the patch now.

Both Fieldfare and Redwings were present, this included 50+ Redwings high in distant woodland, despite the distance I could see the beautiful head pattern of this Thrush.

Common Thrush species were represented by two singing Mistle Thrushes, singing Song Thrush (a pair seen fly past me) and a number of Blackbirds, including 3 together high in trees in woodland.

The large field shown above held a large wandering flock of 300+ Linnets moving to and fro over the land and dropping to the ground to feed. Often, I could see this large wandering flock of Linnets with Skylarks singing above along with the beautiful sweet song of Woodlark.

The only raptors seen today was a single Kestrel in a Hawthorn within heathland habitat, a single Red Kite over woodland, and a single Buzzard.

GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count 7th to 23rd February 2025 (An Update)

I am currently in the second and final week of this years bird count for the GWCT (Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust).  I am writing this just to update you on my findings thus far.

Raptor species have been well represented by good numbers of Buzzards (I wouldn't have written that 30+ years ago), also Kestrels have featured regularly and Sparrowhawks have been seen on a couple of occasions.  A female Marsh Harrier was seen passing through the area.  Goshawks have been seen twice including a close encounter with a large juvenile female bird, and scarcer still, I have recorded both Peregrine and Merlin within the count period.

Fieldfare - several flocks seen on the count including some heading east.

What has been particularly noticeable is the variable distributions of common species, some sites for example have seen low numbers of Chaffinches in areas of game cover where I would expect to see them, however, reasonable numbers have been seen at other areas where feeding attracts birds with the highest count of Chaffinches being 100+, somewhat down in previous years.  To date within the count period I have not seen a single Brambling (although I have seen a few prior to the start of the count).  Linnets have shown quite well with the highest count being on the 18th with 300+ wandering over a large field and feeding.  A small Alder wood in the Wissey valley held 40+ Siskins (I have seen flocks of 100-200+ birds).

Fieldfares have been present on most days with the highest count numbering 80+ birds.  Today, the 18th, I noticed an easterly movement of Fieldfares, this tells me these birds are moving towards the coast in readiness for their passage to Northern Europe. Lesser numbers of Redwings have also been seen.

One of most eagerly awaited for songsters is the Woodlark, so far during the count period I have seen 4 displaying male birds, yesterdays bird was a particularly enjoyable encounter because I laid back in the grass (just a bit wet) and watched a Woodlark displaying directly overhead, such a magical experience.  Breckland is one of the UK strongholds for Woodlarks, watching their fluttering display and broad-winged and short-tailed appearance, their flight is likened to that of a bat.

Reeve's Pheasant (Male) A brute of a bird.

A number of bird species seen so far on my count are non-natives which are now considered naturalised residents.  The commonest of these of course is the Pheasant along with Red-legged Partridges, however, one bird I have seen on the count is a male Reeve's Pheasant, my area of Breckland is one of the UK's strongholds for this introduced species.  Reeve's Pheasants are much large than the more familiar Pheasant, it is very large, bulky, strong looking, and has been known to be aggressive towards humans.  The Reeve's Pheasant appears in the 2008 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest natural tail feather of any bird at almost 8 feet long.

Egyptian Geese is another non-native, these are quite common in Breckland, and despite coming from the hot continent of Africa, the species has adapted to our cold winters, their hardiness is seen in February when their young appear, despite any frost and snow.  Egyptian Geese nest in holes in large trees. 

  

Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust - Annual Count (A great start)

I am very fortunate and grateful to the Bowes estate near Watton to be allowed to pursue my passion in very typical Breckland landscapes and habitat.  I am especially grateful to the estates owner, Kevin Bowes, who invited me onto his land some years ago.  The land covers a large area from Saham, Threxton, Little Cressingham, Great Cressingham, Bodney, and Hilborough.  Much of this land lies with Stanford Army Training Area (STANTA).

Every year in February for a two week period the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust holds a nationwide Bird count, these counts are put to great use in assessing the health of farmland birds populations and to act upon areas of concern.

This years count began, as with every year, on 7th February, however, my first counts of the year began the weekend of the 8th and 9th February.

I was rather disappointed in that Finch and Bunting numbers were down, I put this down to the especially cold easterly wind, hopefully, an improvement in their numbers will be seen as the count progresses.

The following is a list of species seen the weekend of the 8th and 9th February.

Greylag Goose

Mute Swan 2

Egyptian Goose 6+

Mallard

Teal 40+

Red-legged Partridge

Pheasant

Little Grebe 1

Grey Heron 1

Little Egret 1

Cormorant 1

Sparrowhawk 1

Goshawk 1

Buzzard

Moorhen 2

Lapwing 250+

Black-headed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Stock Dove (Best single count of 12)

Wood Pigeon

Collared Dove

Great Spotted Woodpecker 1

Kestrel

Merlin 1

Peregrine 1

Jay 

Magpie

Jackdaw 

Rook (highest single count of 300+)

Carrion Crow

Coal Tit

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Skylark

Long-tailed Tit 2

Wren

Starling (Highest count of 300+)

Blackbird (Included my first singing male of the year)

Fieldfare (Best single count of 80+)

Redwing (Best single count of 20+)

Song Thrush

Mistle Thrush (5 singing males at one location)

Robin

Stonechat (Pair)

Dunnock

Pied Wagtail

Chaffinch (Best single count of 90+)

Linnet

Goldfinch

Yellowhammer

Reed Bunting 3

8 February (Highlights)

My first habitat visited for this years count was a large game strip comprising Maize and Brassicas, a type of habitat which is a good place to begin as such habitats attract Finches and Buntings.  It was here I gathered a count of 90+ Chaffinches, but only a few Linnets.

A walk through Pine woodland produced a very close and calling Goshawk high in trees, but could I locate it visually.

Nearby farmland held 100+ Rooks, 80+ Fieldfare, 300+ Starlings, and about 20 Redwings.

A short visit to the Watton Brook valley produced a few Teal and Little Grebe, the highlight was a Peregrine flying east in a leisurely flight, I watched this bird until lost to sight.

9 February (Highlights)

I was particularly impressed by the numbers of singing Mistle Thrushes at one site, these large Thrushes always sing from the highest point in a tree, they are rightly called 'Stormcock' because they often sing in foul weather.

About 40 Teal were on wet meadows at Hilborough, also, I watched a Little Egret using its feet to stir up silt to look for invertebrate food.

The highlight of the day occurred at Bodney.  I was closing a gate having entered land when I looked up when high overhead a Merlin was being shadowed by a tight flock of small and noisy passerine species, the Merlin then plummeted at speed towards the ground, these are high speed chase predators, I suspect once prey was located the Merlin would begin the chase hugging the ground.  The Merlin is the smallest European Falcon being similar in size to a Blackbird.