Saturday 31 December 2016

New Year's Eve ringing

Hello

Jacob was down at Pitsford Reservoir again today and notched up a Great White Egret, three Red-crested Pochards, two Green Sandpipers and a Siskin. 

Dave Francis was ringing again at Pitsford and his efforts produced 72 captures at the Old Scaldwell Road Feeding Station, 37 of them being new birds. Goldfinches dominated with 13 birds and of 7 Moorhens caught, two were individuals first ringed there three years ago. Other birds of note included a Tree Sparrow, a Marsh Tit, 5 Reed Buntings, five Yellowhammers, a Fieldfare and a Starling. A Weasel was in hunting mode, seeking out rodents on the edge of the feeding station.

Another New Year's Eve ringing session took place at Brixworth Water Treatment Works and resulted in 83 birds being caught and processed. Large numbers of Pied Wagtails were present and we caught 33, all of them being new birds. A bright male Grey Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaffs, a Magpie and 4 Meadow Pipits were other highlights. Other birds noted on-site included 5 Snipe, 1-2 Water Rail(s), a redpoll sp and a few Siskins.

Birds at Harrington Airfield today included at least 200 Golden Plovers and the pair of Stonechat were again in the river valley below Hanging Houghton.

Happy New Year!

Neil M




Pied Wagtails come in a bewildering
array of plumages and ageing and identifying
the gender of many individuals is problematic,
even in the hand! Adult males, juveniles and
most first year females can be assessed with some
confidence - but many cannot!

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