Northants birds

Along with a prolonged Arctic airstream delivering non-stop northerlies, low temperatures and the first settling snow of the winter, 2025 certainly didn’t run out of steam when it came to quality birds – one of which was the first of its kind in the county for more than twenty years. And, as we stepped into the new year, there was plenty to keep the birding fire burning …

Once again, wildfowl were the main attraction – even more so than last week, with the arrival of more geese as well as a certain delectable duck. Once again, top of the tribe as far as geese are concerned was Tundra Bean Goose, with the one discovered at Blatherwycke Lake on the final day of the previous week remaining there until 29th. This was quickly followed by another – or most likely the same individual – being found at Ringstead GP’s Kinewell Lake on 2nd, although it moved on swiftly after its discovery. Blatherwycke to Ringstead is a mere 21 km as the goose flies …

While we’re used to seeing Pink-footed Geese annually in small numbers, a skein of forty-seven heading north over Desborough on the first day of the new year was quite exceptional although unsurprisingly, given current circumstances, they were outnumbered by this week’s White-fronted Geese. Recorded daily throughout the period, nine localities held varying numbers with, once again, Stanford Res producing the highest count of seventy on 1st. Maximum site numbers elsewhere included twenty at Stanwick GP on 28th, sixteen at Blatherwycke on 28th, eleven at Clifford Hill GP on 27th-28th, ten at Pitsford Res between 30th and 1st, ten at Ringstead on 1st-2nd, six in the Cherwell Valley near Aynho on 27th, at least four at Summer Leys LNR on 29th and four in the Nene Valley near Woodford on 31st.

Still a local winter scarcity, two Whooper Swans flew south-east over the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 31st and one visited Hollowell Res on 2nd.

Discovered at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR on 27th and leaving all of the aforementioned in the shade, however, was Northamptonshire’s first American Wigeon for twenty-one years. Long overdue, it’s only the eighth county record and, remaining settled throughout the week, it duly attracted a steady stream of admirers, both local and from further afield.

Following its apparent eleven-day absence and further escalating the attraction of Thrapston was the reappearance there of the dapper drake Ring-necked Duck on 28th. Rather more mobile than the American Wigeon, it divided its time between Town Lake, North Lake and Aldwincle Lake, being seen at the latter on 1st in close proximity to its fellow compatriot. Should we now be referring to Titchmarsh as ‘Little America’ and, if so, what else can we look forward to seeing there before the winter is out?

Other ducks deluxe consisted of the long-staying female and first-winter drake Greater Scaups at Thrapston/Titchmarsh throughout the week and a drake joined the previous week’s three females at Stanford from 27th until the week’s end.

Becoming easier to see as time went by and looking as crisp as winter snow, last week’s drake Smew remained at Clifford Hill throughout the period.

Only the sixth found in the county this year, and a surprise for one observer at Blatherwycke Lake on 27th, was a fly-over Common Crane – a likely wanderer from the small wintering population in nearby Cambridgeshire. The five previous records in 2025 have all been in spring.

Last week’s Black-necked Grebe was also present at Blatherwycke on the same date but went unreported thereafter.

And while we’re used to seeing small numbers of Sanderlings passing through the county in spring, they are rare inland at this time of the year so, bucking the trend, one was found at Titchmarsh on 27th, remaining there until at least 30th. A Jack Snipe at Hollowell Res on 1st-2nd was the only one reported during the period.

The larid landscape was largely the same as last week, with Stanford’s gull roost holding a first-winter Mediterranean Gull on 28th, 30th, 31st and 2nd and an adult was in the roost at Pitsford on the first of these dates. Summer Leys produced single Caspian Gulls on 27th and 1st, plus two there on 30th, while single adults visited Hollowell and Stanford on 29th and 1st, respectively. Yellow-legged Gull sightings were restricted to an adult at Stanford on 29th and one at Summer Leys the following day.

The week would not be complete without the continued presence of Glossy Ibises, of course, although the Nene Valley duo became more fidgety as the cold weather set in, being seen in the wider reaches of Earls Barton GP, briefly, on 27th, at Wellingborough Embankment – equally briefly on 28th and at Summer Leys the following day. Two continued to visit the Settling Pond area at Stanford from 27th until at least 1st.

Marsh Harriers extended their occupation of the Nene Valley, with certain individuals’ movements being handily tracked through wing-tag identification. Falling into the latter category was the first-year male, ‘J4’, which flew over Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes & Meadows NR on 1st, appearing less than an hour later at Summer Leys, where it was also seen the following day, along with an untagged bird. Untagged individuals were also present at Summer Leys on 28th and 30th   while an unidentified tagged bird flew over Ringstead GP on 2nd. Sightings also came from Ditchford on 27th and Titchmarsh on 27th-28th.

And while the Brampton Valley ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier was still present there on 1st, another ‘ringtail’ was found between Wakerley Great Wood and the nearby A43 on 27th, with undoubtedly the same bird at Laxton Park Farm, 1 km to the south, on 2nd.

Missing from last week’s summary, but back this week, was the Brampton Valley Merlin, seen again between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 2nd.

Kicking off the new year on the passerine front was a Firecrest at New Sandy Lane Attenuation Pond, Duston on the morning of the 1st and, going back to black in more ways than one, a Black Redstart was found on ‘private farmland’ between Lamport and Scaldwell on the same day. Looks like the yearlisters will have to wait … Stonechats were again at a low ebb, with twos at Clifford Hill and Titchmarsh on 28th, one at Hollowell on 29th, two at Lilbourne Meadows NR on 30th, one at Achurch on 31st, and two in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 2nd.

Continuing with Crossbills, at least ten were at Wakerley Great Wood on 27th, eight were found at Salcey Forest on 29th, six at Harlestone Firs on 31st and ten opened the new year, first-footing at Fineshade Wood on 2nd.

And following the recent run of Corn Buntings at the newly discovered site between Deanshanger and Wicken, a substantial total of twenty-two was an eye-watering count there on 27th, dropping to eight the following day.

There was – perhaps unsurprisingly, given the time of year – no fallout from Storm Bram as it barrelled towards the far north in the early part of the week. However, a set of seasonal goodies remained on tap, including the first properly twitchable Black Redstart of the year.

With the passing through of respectable numbers of Whooper Swans earlier in the autumn, it appears that a lone juvenile, discovered on 8th November at Pitsford Res, has found the site to its liking, having chosen to remain there now for five weeks. Will it stay to see the winter out?

Now one of fifty present in Britain and Ireland during the past week, the drake Ring-necked Duck notched up another seven days at Thrapston GP’s Town Lake, bringing its time there to almost three weeks, while the first-winter drake and female Greater Scaups also remained at the above locality throughout the period.

Seeing out another week, Pitsford’s Black-necked Grebe also appeared settled, alternating between Pintail Bay and Yacht Bay, but its exclusivity in the county was upstaged by the arrival of three more at Daventry CP on the penultimate day of the week, although they had apparently moved on by the following morning.

The period’s gulls continued in the same vein as last week with five localities producing Caspian Gulls, headed up by Daventry, which delivered three on 8th, one on 11th and two on 12th. Elsewhere, Ravensthorpe Res held two on 8th and singles appeared at Naseby Res on 7th, Hollowell Res on 11th and 12th and at Summer Leys LNR on the latter date. Single adult Yellow-legged Gulls were to be found at Clifford Hill GP on 6th, Stanford Res on 7th, Daventry on 8th and 12th and Pitsford on 10th.

The same four Glossy Ibises divided their time between four localities this week, with the original Summer Leys three still to be found at the flood pools in the usual field at Little Irchester on 7th, after which two moved a short distance to a similarly wet area next to Wellingborough Embankment, remaining there until the end of the period. One was also seen on occasions back at Summer Leys and the Stanford individual was still visiting the settling pond there at the week’s end.

Like last week, a Bittern broke cover at Summer Leys again on 6th.

And, in almost a carbon copy of the week before, single Marsh Harriers were again at Summer Leys on 6th, at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR on 10th and over Irthlingborough heading toward Ditchford GP on 12th, while the Brampton Valley ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier put in another appearance between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 11th.

Recent winters have seen Short-eared Owls over fields close to Neville’s Lodge, Finedon and, continuing the theme, one was back there on 7th, while another appeared in the above area in the Brampton Valley on 10th.

The latter site also saw the continuation of a wintering Merlin on 6th and 10th and another was present in the south of the county at Hinton AF on 11th.

Answering last week’s question on what we might be missing in suburbia and heading up the week’s cast of passerines was a neat, young, male Black Redstart, found in the avenues and alleyways of the Abington area of Northampton on 7th. While it’s the eighth to be discovered in the county this year, it was, at long last, the first to be readily accessible, obligingly sticking around until the period’s end for those who were keen to catch up with one locally.

Returning to more open country, numbers of Stonechats were down on recent totals with three at Hollowell on 12th, duos at Neville’s Lodge on 7th and in both the Brampton Valley and Upton CP on 10th, while singles were to be found at Clifford Hill on 6th and Pitsford on 10th.

And in a non-invasion year, Northampton’s most reliable winter location for Hawfinches – Holy Trinity Churchyard, Blatherwycke – delivered on cue with two on 7th. The period’s Crossbills comprised seven at Bucknell Wood on 7th, while the Brampton Valley Corn Bunting was again seen on 6th.

The move into ‘winter proper’ was a transition largely without incident but a growing assortment of seasonal goodies was out there to keep the birding fires burning.

Stoking the coals, quality ducks were on offer this week, kicking off with a drake Ring-necked Duck, first found on 24th November at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR and remaining in the general vicinity, being seen on Town Lake at the week’s end. Odds on it’s last winter’s returning bird and, if so, it seems likely it will be in it for the long haul. The same site also produced three Greater Scaups which consisted of an adult female on 28th followed by a first-winter drake from 30th to 5th, along with a first-winter female on the latter date. Scarcer than Scaup, though, was a ‘redhead’ Red-breasted Merganser found at Boddington Res on 28th. Prone to flying off and returning, it was not constantly on show but was present daily until flying north-west just prior to dusk on 2nd. This was only the second to be seen in the county this year, the previous one being a dapper drake at Blatherwycke Lake from 9th to 14th February, and so maintains the average of two (actually 1.75) per year over the 20-year period 2004 to 2023, during which there were 5 blank years.

On site since 21st, and more reliably showy, was the Black-necked Grebe extending its presence at Pitsford Res throughout the week.

Back at Boddington, a second-winter Caspian Gull joined the gull roost there on 30th, while a third-winter was at Daventry CP on 1st, single adults were at Hollowell Res on 2nd and 5th and at Ravensthorpe Res on the latter date. Fewer than of late, single Yellow-legged Gulls were present in Boddington’s roost on 2nd, at Pitsford on 2nd and at Clifford Hill GP on 5th.

And there can be little more to add to the Glossy Ibis diary this week. Three, sometimes two, remained on their favoured flooded field at Little Irchester throughout the period, one of which also put in an occasional appearance at nearby Summer Leys LNR. At Stanford Res, two dropped to one which was present for varying periods of time on 29th, 30th, 2nd, 4th and 5th.

A Bittern broke cover at Summer Leys again on 4th.

And while Summer Leys/Earls Barton GP and Thrapston produced single Marsh Harriers, on and off, throughout the week, a ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier flew south at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 29th.

The 29th also produced Short-eared Owls – two at Harrington AF and one hunting alongside the Rive Nene below Great Doddington.

Once again, the week’s only Merlin was in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 29th, 2nd and 3rd.

And we’ve done well for Firecrests of late – one in Abington Park, Northampton making headlines on 2nd as the first for the site. What else are we missing in urban and suburban locations?

Taking a backseat, other passerines included Stonechats in the Brampton Valley, at Clifford Hill, Earls Barton GP, Hollowell Res, Thrapston and Upton CP, with a maximum of five at Hollowell on 2nd and 5th.

The week’s Crossbills were represented by single birds at Harlestone Heath on 30th and Pitsford Res on 2nd and the Brampton Valley Corn Bunting was still present in the same area, being seen on 29th and 3rd.

The early part of the week saw northerly winds ushering in an Arctic air mass, resulting in plummeting temperatures and giving rise to frosty conditions. This was, of course, preceded by the fallout from Storm Claudia which, on day one, delivered some unexpected waders and the first Dark-bellied Brent Geese of the year.

The first of these was a first-winter found on floodwater near Aynho on 16th, followed by an adult at, and around, the general area of Summer Leys LNR two days later, on 18th. It was also reported on the recreation ground at nearby Great Doddington on 19th but not seen subsequently.

Last week’s juvenile Whooper Swan remained at Pitsford Res throughout the period, latterly favouring ‘The Pines’ area, north of the dam.

A drake Green-winged Teal, now relegated to subspecific status by AviBase was, nevertheless, a nice find on 18th at Stanwick GP, where it remained the following day but was not seen thereafter.

And a Black-necked Grebe found at Pitsford Res on the last day of the week is only the fifth record of the year for this species, the last being at Stanford Res on 20th September.

With Clifford Hill GP as the hotspot, the first day of the period produced the aforementioned unexpected waders, which consisted of two Grey Plovers and a Sanderling – both unusual for mid-November, while Daventry CP’s first-winter Black-tailed Godwit made it into the week, just, on 15th.

Clifford Hill also delivered an adult Mediterranean Gull, also on 15th, as well as a first-winter Caspian Gull throughout the period. Another first-winter was on a flood pool by the River Welland near Cottingham on 20th, the same date producing a third-winter at Hollowell Res, while two adults were at Hollowell the following day. Yellow-legged Gulls were fewer in number, with single adults at Pitsford on 16th and 18th and at Clifford Hill on 21st.

There was little change in the week’s status of Glossy Ibis, with the Summer Leys three moving within spitting distance of the reserve, having found a flooded field close to Little Irchester to their liking from 18th until the week’s end. Visits to Stanford Res became more sporadic, however, with the previously regular duo being seen at the settling pond there on 16th only.

Single Bitterns were present at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR on 15th and at Summer Leys on 15th and 17th, while two Cattle Egrets were on site at Stanwick on 18th.

Surprisingly for mid-November, Marsh Harriers appeared at five localities, commencing with two hanging on at Titchmarsh on 15th, followed by single birds at Summer Leys on 16th and 21st, Ditchford GP’s Irthlingborough Lakes & Meadows NR on 17th, nearby Stanwick GP on 18th and at Blatherwycke Lake on 20th.

And it’s no surprise that the week’s only Merlin was in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton on 20th.

In an absence of recent records in the county, a Jackdaw showing characteristics of the nominate race monedula, colloquially know as Nordic Jackdaw, was present among a mixed corvid flock at Blatherwycke Lake on 20th. Surely under-recorded, there appears to have been none since 2020, when one was at Stanwick on 30th October.

Following one last month, the second Siberian Chiffchaff of the autumn was found at Daventry CP on 21st before melting away into the mass of scrub surrounding the site. And another week, another Firecrest – this one trapped and ringed at Stanford Res on 16th.

Hollowell produced the highest count of Stonechats this week, with six there on 15th, while the Brampton Valley, Deene Lake and Pitsford held between two and four birds apiece.

And Crossbills were present at Hollowell, where there were two on 16th and one on 20th and Pitsford, where at least two were seen on 17th.

Back in the Brampton Valley, the occasionally obliging Corn Bunting popped up again on 20th.

Mild weather with above average temperatures persisted throughout the week, culminating in the arrival of Storm Claudia, bringing relentless, increasingly torrential rain, backed by strong easterly winds as the final day concluded. This murky, wet backdrop proved no deterrent to the determined, although the bucketloads of rain provided very little gain for stalwart birders braving the wholly inclement conditions.

New birds on the block in the wildfowl camp kicked off on the 8th with an immature Whooper Swan at Pitsford Res, with what was assumed to be the same bird still present there on 12th. And, after its apparent absence for more than two weeks, the female Ruddy Shelduck again appeared at Stanford Res on 13th. It was also Pitsford’s privilege to produce the first Greater Scaup of the autumn/winter period, two turning up there on 10th but nowhere to be seen subsequently.

And following last week’s speculation that Ditchford’s drake Lesser Scaup seemed settled enough to see the winter out, it was clearly not in it for the long haul, seemingly abandoning the site for pastures new after 11th. Further conjecture suggests that this short-term celebrity is likely to be the same drake that turned up at Staines Reservoir, London on 12th – a mere 96 km distant as the scaup flies …

With the spotlight firmly on Ditchford this week, another first for the autumn/winter period was found there on 8th in the shape of a ‘redhead’ Smew. Its stay, however, was short and sweet and it was nowhere to be seen the following day.

Aside from a Grey Plover in flight over Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 9th, waders on the ground included the first-winter Black-tailed Godwit seeing the week out at Daventry CP, along with a Ruff there from 8th to 13th and another Ruff at Pitsford, also on 8th.

A Jack Snipe was seen at Clifford Hill GP on 8th and, despite the date, a late Common Sandpiper at Stanford on 13th was just that, although at this time of the year Spotted Sandpiper is at the forefront of many a hopeful birder’s mind.

On the last day of the period, at Summer Leys, a Little Gull was little more than a token gesture on the back of Storm Claudia, given the hefty ninety-three plus counted over the border at Grafham Water on the same day.

With further respect to gulls, the more usual fare on offer included two first-winter Mediterranean Gulls in the roost at Stanford on 10th, followed by just one the next evening. Caspian Gulls comprised an adult and a second-winter at Earls Barton GP’s Mary’s Lake on 8th and single adults at Pitsford on 9th and in the Stanford roost on 12th. A bird considered to be a Caspian Gull x Herring Gull hybrid was present at Daventry, also on 12th. Pitsford produced the week’s highest count of four Yellow-legged Gulls on 10th, followed by one there on 12th. Elsewhere, an adult was at Mary’s Lake on 8th, one was at Clifford Hill on 9th-10th and a first-winter visited Daventry on 14th

And while the three Glossy Ibises saw another week out at Summer Leys, it appears that the Stanford duo was back, being seen on all but one day, flying east in the early morning and west toward Stanford Hall in the evening, as well as on the ground behind the Settling Pond on a couple of occasions.

Summer Leys also produced a Bittern on 14th and a male Marsh Harrier on 8th-9th, while one was also seen nearby at Earls Barton GP’s Quarry Walk on the latter date. Elsewhere, one flew east over Blueberry Farm, Maidwell on 8th and two were again at Thrapston GP’s Titchmarsh NR on 9th.

Harrington AF produced a Short-eared Owl, flying high south, also on 9th, as well as a Merlin on the same date, while further single Merlins were in the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton and between Brockhall and Great Brington on 8th and 11th, respectively.

Heading the cast of the period’s passerines was a Firecrest, mobile with a Long-tailed Tit flock in the vicinity of Rotary Hide at Summer Leys, on 12th.

And the weekly Stonechat quota included a double-figure count of eleven at Pitsford Res on 10th, while between two and four birds were logged at Borough Hill, Brampton Valley, Clifford Hill, Ditchford GP and Harrington AF during the period.

There was an unconfirmed report of 5 Twites at Sywell CP on 9th and, with the source unknown, it remains exactly that. The last record in the county was of two near Yardley Gobion on 9th January 2023, which were the first to be recorded since 2014 while, prior to that, the last occurrences were in 2011 and 2000.

Less contentious, however, were Crossbills – of which two were at Pitsford on 8th, several at Gamboro Plantation in the Brampton Valley on 9th and 12th, followed by three in flight over Daventry on 13th.