Acts of Random Birdwatching
One of my childhood loves was birdwatching. As is the case for many people, this interest disappeared but I have refound it in mid-life. One of my happiest things is to sit and watch birds, or listen to them. Every year I keep a list of the birds I have seen. For the last two years I have seen 91 different species without making a lot of effort. In 2025 I am aiming for 92! I am also going to try recording on BirdTrak (will see how this goes) and learn to identify some more birds by sound. This page will be a log of what I see each month and a list of the bird species I see for the year, along with some random notes.
Current Number of Bird Species for 2026
72
May 2026 - Number of birds 72
The month started in belting fashion with a Cetti's Warbler blasting it's call out from the shrubs next to me when I went for a walk along the River Nene on the 1st during my lunch break. I heard one nearby a couple of years ago for the first time, but didn't hear any at all last year.
Notable Birds 2026
Double figure numbers of Pochards have been nice and more regualr sightings of Great White Egrets are always a positive. I both heard and saw my first skylark singing on the 7th February on a dreary day - I think this is possibly the earliest I have seen one. Chiffchaffs calling on the 2nd March were also early.
April 2026 - Number of birds 71
They are back - the House Martins are here and chattering away. My first Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler have been singing as well. I have also found my first Swallows and Whitethroat and I was overjoyed to have the terns back at the Country Park fishing along the dam and squabbling loudly.
March 2026 - Number of birds 65
March is the time I start listening for chiffchaffs. This year I heard my first one calling on the 2nd March - I think this is the earliest - at least a week earlier than I would have expected. I also spotted a Peregrine zooming over Northampton as I was rushing off to a meeting. I was very surprised to see a flock of Redpolls on the last day of the month, a bird I don't always see, and usually only in the winter months. I also spotted my first Little Egret of the year, and then a couple more. I assume they head off elsewhere for the winter, then head back when the herons have started nesting - which they have already. I wondered about this, as the trees are still mostly bare, but then what is going to predate a heron's nest?
February 2026 - Number of birds 58
I always expect a slow down, but a walk brought an unexpected skylark singing in the gloom on the 7th February. Lengthening days and leaving work on time allowed me to spot a couple of kestrels at the side of the dual carriageway. I also had a lovely male Blackcap in the garden, which I just happened to see when I glanced up from the washing up. Siberian Chiffchaffs had been spotted at the country park, I may have seen them, or maybe not because I didn't have my telescope and I am not sure whether I know the difference or not.
January 2026 - Number of birds 53
The first month of a new year is a joyous affair when bird listing as nearly every day brings new birds. The first three days took me to 26 after a run and a walk. I was surprised to see and hear Ravens in the first few days of the year, as it took until July last year. A walk along the canal upped the number of birds, but the biggest surprise was seeing a Great White Egret perched in some trees with a Grey Heron as I walked home along the Old Railway Track. I have also been happily surprised seeing quite a few Pochards at the Country Park as well, even into double figures. All male as I believe males and females winter separately. I always used to see them in Winter there, but they are a bit hit and miss these days. It took until 24th January to reach 50 birds this year, a week later than last year, but I am not in a hurry.