My most exciting local highlight from May had to be the very unexpected sight of an Osprey low over my house on 20/05 - a garden first!
Walking out into the garden, I noticed a large raptor cruising at low altitude to the east over town. My binoculars were fairly close to hand so I had a look, fully expecting it be going to be one of the local Red Kites; a common sight cruising low overhead Brackley everyday. However, to my surprise there was no forked tail and as it banked, it was pale in colour and clearly an Osprey! Luckily for me, it made it's way closer before going out of view behind the house. I legged it inside to grab my camera, shouting expletives as I went! On returning to the garden, the bird appeared from behind the house, circling overhead - WOW so lucky! Slowly but surely it gained height and drifted of to the west. All very exciting, with my wife finding it hilarious at how animated I got!
The woods of south Northants are always worth a good look in spring and a very pleasant walk. They are pretty much the last main stronghold of Spotted Flycatche.rs in this part of the world and I'm pleased to report a number of birds on territory again this year
The woods often hold the odd surprise too and this May has been no exception. It's been great to discover a couple of Firecrest on territory again this year, for the first time for some years. Even more surprising, was a song-flighting Tree Pipit on one date (14/05)!
By late May, you expect tern passage to well and truly over. So the appearance of a Sandwich Tern at Grimsbury Res (found by Gareth B) on 27/05 was very unexpected, but equally welcome. A very good patch bird and inland find in general - my 3rd on patch. Despite plenty of sailing and fishing going on, it seemed quite content to hand around for a good chunk of the day.
Further tern action was provided just two days later (29/05) with 5 Black Terns at Boddington Reservoir, as part of a significant movement through the country. Magical birds to watch, energetically hawking over the water in tandem.
May also signifies an increase in butterfly interest, as some of the more scarcer species begin to emerge. For me, that means it's time to look locally for the characterful Grizzled Skippers that call a descrete scrubby / grassy area near Croughton home! This year has actually produced my highest number yet of at least 7 individuals which is an encouraging sign.
Small Heaths seem to go from strength to strength around here and seem to crop up at new sites with increasing frequency. It also appears to have been a decent spring for Brown Argus. Both these were from the nice grassland habitat along the track to Ardley ERF lagoon on 26/05
Some other pics from throughout the month, including displaying Great Crested Grebes from Boddington Res, a late male Wheatear from Hinton Airfield, Little Owl from near Brackley, Cuckoo from Bicester Wetland, Mute Swan cygnet (1 of 3) from Grimsbury Res, Nuthatch at the nest in Bucknell Wood and a Red Kite seeing off a Peregrine with Starling prey past the garden!
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