Monday 6 August 2018

Crassula, Mudwort and Yellowhammers!

Hello

Tony Vials visited Hollowell Reservoir this morning and confirmed that much of the small plant growth on the mud foreshore is the invasive Crassula helmsii or New Zealand Pigmyweed. He did find plenty of specimens of Mudwort too, another plant renown for taking advantage of draw down zone conditions. Waders present included singletons of Snipe, Dunlin and Ringed Plover and four Common Sandpipers.

A bird ringing session took place at Harrington Airfield this morning resulting in the temporary capture and processing of 93 birds of 14 species which were all new birds apart from four re-trap adult Yellowhammers. The vast majority were birds fledged this year.

The total was made up of two Blackbirds, twenty-five Yellowhammers, fifteen Dunnocks, two Great Tits, fourteen Blue Tits, two Robins, seven Willow Warblers, seventeen Whitethroats, four Chaffinches and singles of Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Goldfinch, Linnet and Greenfinch.

Other birds on-site included a Redstart between the gravel compound and the first bunker and four Ravens over high up.

More ringing is planned tomorrow (Tuesday) and Thursday and access restrictions remain in place.

A Raven again paid Hanging Houghton a visit this afternoon.

Regards

Neil M


Setting up the ringing nets.
Image courtesy of John Hunt.

Mudwort.
Courtesy of Tony Vials.


Tor (top) has been competing again
and in addition to the rosettes displayed
he came first today in an event which tests
agility and obedience. Jaeger (bottom) is
only a very young dog and can't compete yet
but he entered a fun event today and won his
first rosette for completing a clear round!

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