Birdlife through the seasons
Nene Valley Cottages are a peaceful base for birdwatching breaks in Northamptonshire, with open farmland, mature hedgerows, woodland, watercourses and quiet countryside close to Oundle and the wider Nene Valley.
The farm and surrounding landscape attract a wide variety of birdlife throughout the year. Guests may see red kites, buzzards, kestrels, owls, woodpeckers, wagtails, finches, water birds and seasonal visitors, depending on the time of year and local conditions.
The area is also home to other wildlife, including roe deer, hares and rabbits making it a rewarding place for guests who enjoy nature, photography and quiet countryside walks.
Genuine picture of a kingfisher that stunned itself when it flew into a window.
Useful birdwatching links
The headquarters of the RSPB are at Sandy Lodge in Bedfordshire, about half an hour away. A good website that tells you what is happening locally is run by The Northamptonshire Bird Club. It will tell you what has been seen recently and where.
Nene Valley Cottages are not a formal bird reserve, but the setting, views and surrounding countryside make them a lovely base for a nature-focused self-catering stay near Oundle.
Whether you are an experienced birdwatcher or simply enjoy watching wildlife from the cottage, the area offers plenty of interest throughout the seasons.
Definitely neither an exhaustive list nor a promise as to what you will see, these are birds that have been seen on the farm in the last couple of years;
| Little Grebe | Cormorant | Grey Heron | Greylag Goose | Canada Goose | Mallard |
| Red Kite | Hen Harrier | Sparrowhawk | Buzzard | Kestrel | Hobby |
| Red-legged Partridge | Grey Partridge | Pheasant | Moorhen | Golden Plover | Lapwing |
| Snipe | Woodcock | Common Sandpiper | Black-headed Gull | Herring Gull | Stock Dove |
| Woodpigeon | Collared Dove | Ring-necked Parakeet | Cuckoo | Barn Owl | Little Owl |
| Tawny Owl | Swift | Kingfisher | Green Woodpecker | Great Spotted Woodpecker | Skylark |
| Swallow | House Martin | Meadow Pipit | Yellow Wagtail | Grey Wagtail | Pied Wagtail |
| Wren | Dunnock | Robin | Black Redstart | Stonechat | Wheatear |
| Blackbird | Fieldfare | Song Thrush | Redwing | Mistle Thrush | Whitethroat |
| Garden Warbler | Blackcap | Chiffchaff | Goldcrest | Spotted Flycatcher | Long-tailed Tit |
| Coal Tit | Blue Tit | Great Tit | Jay | Magpie | Jackdaw |
| Rook | Carrion Crow | Starling | House Sparrow | Tree Sparrow | Chaffinch |
| Brambling | Greenfinch | Goldfinch | Siskin | Linnet | Lesser Redpoll |
| Bullfinch | Yellowhammer | Reed Bunting | Wood Duck | Osprey | Little Egret |