Sunday 4 December 2016

Sunday's wildlife

Hello

More ringing took place today this time at Linford Lakes on the outskirts of Milton Keynes. Kenny Cramer is the principal ringer on site and had envisaged catching good numbers of thrushes. His prediction proved accurate with catches of 12 Blackbirds, a Fieldfare, and a very impressive 52 Redwings. It seems that there are particularly large numbers of Redwings circulating in the UK currently, perhaps initially assisted with the easterly airflows of the early autumn. The British Trust for Ornithology is reporting that it is possible it may be a record year for this species.

Other birds caught at Linford today included a Reed Bunting, four Goldcrests, a Bullfinch, a Siskin, a Goldfinch, a Treecreeper, a Green Woodpecker and a female Blackcap; a total of 81 captures of 14 species is a very good session.

Further ringing is planned for Harrington Airfield this week with the potential for more thrush ringing on Tuesday and Wednesday. Public access to the ringing areas will be restricted but the concrete track and footpaths will remain unaffected.

Birds at Harrington Airfield today included a female Peregrine and about fifty Golden Plovers.

Pitsford Reservoir retains good birds, Jacob Spinks today locating two Great White Egrets, a drake Smew, a Redshank, two Green Sandpipers, a Dunlin, 10+ Snipe and a Peregrine, and I saw an adult Caspian Gull in the roost off the Sailing Club.

Wildlife watching at Ravensthorpe Reservoir is also to a high standard currently and today's sightings included two Otters on show again this afternoon, three Great White Egrets, a Green Sandpiper, a Water Rail and a party of redpoll sp in the birches there.

The cold temperatures of today have brought many birds in to the garden including a couple of Nuthatches and about three Tree Sparrows.

Regards

Neil M






Ducks on parade!

 Images taken at Pitsford Reservoir by Robin Gossage
depict (from top to bottom) Goldeneye, Shoveler and Teal.

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