Saturday 4 April 2015

Barn Owls and more...

Hello

A ringing session took place down at Milton Keynes today at the Linford Lakes Nature Reserve which provided small numbers of captures but of a high variety. Perhaps the most interesting birds were singles of Chiffchaff, Meadow Pipit, Bullfinch, Green Woodpecker and Kingfisher. Other birds on-site included five Swallows, a Cetti's Warbler, a Blackcap, three Oystercatchers, a couple of Little Egrets and first thing there were up to four Barn Owls hunting the rough pasture alongside the reserve. A small heronry in the trees there was very noisy!

Early afternoon found a break-away group visiting the Nene Barrage at Clifford Hill Gravel Pits to see the Avocet found earlier in the day. This bird was busy feeding when we arrived but sleeping soundly when we left! Birds at nearby Weston Mill included a Grey Wagtail, a Blackcap and a Cetti's Warbler.

On next to the Summer Leys reserve with the second summer Mediterranean Gull still showing well but little else that was new. Shelducks had increased to four and there was still two Oystercatchers, two Redshank, four Little Egrets and a Grey Wagtail.

Late this afternoon Eleanor admired a splendid adult male Hen Harrier hunting at Blueberry Farm, close to the farm buildings plus three Barn Owls and a pair of Grey Partridge. Another Barn Owl was near Scaldwell this afternoon with a further individual in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton. Sadly on my travels today I saw two dead Barn Owls lying at the side of our ever-busy roads.

Regards

Neil M


A Kingfisher, judged to be an adult
male, taking it easy after being ringed!
For some reason this species will simply
remain in position if unrestrained and
placed on it's back...

Image courtesy of Jacob Spinks

A first year Blue Tit with a
deformed bill, this bird frequenting
an Olney garden.

Image courtesy of Nick Wood


Meadow Pipit

Images courtesy of Chris Payne



Mediterranean Gull at Summer Leys

Images courtesy of Robin Gossage

Male Reed Bunting

Courtesy of Robin Gossage

Robin

Courtesy of Robin G!

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