Lord Lilford (Thomas Littleton Powys, 4th Baron Lilford) published the Notes on the Birds of Northamptonshire and Neighbourhood in 1895. Lilford was a contemporary of O.V. Aplin and the president of the British Ornithologists' Union. This well illustrated book, in two volumes, is a systematic list of 227 species recorded in or near to Northamptonshire. It provides the evidence of sightings within the county and beyond, along with more general information on the species.

Whilst Lilford professed not to being a scientist, this is a useful historical reference for the information it provides on apparent abundance and distribution for each species within Northamptonshire. Like Aplin's book on Oxfordshire, it notes the disappearance of Raven, Buzzard and Red Kite. It is is interesting to read that Turtle Doves became more common in the area in the mid-19C, with a note that its range was extending northwards.

Use these links to download and read each volume: The Birds of Northamptonshire, vol.1 and The Birds of Northamptonshire, vol.2.

UK currently holds approximately a quarter of the global Curlew population, with estimates for England of about 30,000 pairs. National monitoring data show that this population has been in long-term decline since the 1970s and has almost halved in the UK over the last 20 years. In lowland southern England, the population has declined to about 500 pairs, with many colonies on the verge of local extinction. Read more ...

Our hosts are David and Ann Andrews, at The Cartshed, Pomfret Castle, Banbury Road, Swerford, OX7 4AR  where we will be shown around their small all-grass farm - 50 acres of grass, woods, lakes and ponds. Read more ...

A survey where observers are each given a randomly selected 1km square and record all the species encountered and numbers of each for a minimum period of 2 hours between 9am and noon. Read more ...

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