Saturday 26 January 2019

Ringing, Waxwings and the shrike still!

Hello

A bird ringing session at Scotland Wood on the Kelmarsh Estate provided 121 captures made up of a Sparrowhawk, four Blackbirds, three Robins, a Dunnock, three Chaffinches, forty-one Blue Tits, thirty-eight Great Tits, nineteen Coal Tits, four Marsh Tits, two Long-tailed Tits, a Goldcrest, three Treecreepers and a Nuthatch. Other birds on-site included several Siskins, a Redpoll and a Woodcock.

Eleanor's dog agility training at Staverton suffered the distraction of six Waxwings which were flying around and calling and perched up in hedgerows for about thirty minutes. They eventually flew off into the village but weren't relocated after a quick search. The usual two Ravens were also present.

A quick perusal at Ravensthorpe Reservoir from the causeway provided views of a Great White Egret and two Green Sandpipers.

Birds noted at Pitsford Reservoir today included the usual suspects with three Great White Egrets, the mobile drake Ring-necked Duck, at least one first year Scaup, at least seventeen Red-crested Pochard and the two Great Northern Divers. More Great White Egrets included a couple at Wilsons Pits (Ditchford Pits complex) and other birds are now three Short-eared Owls at Neville's Lodge (Finedon) and the first year Hen Harrier was reported there too.

The Great Grey Shrike was again in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and despite reports to the contrary was still showing at dusk. The Barn Owl was also there this morning, four Corn Buntings were seen and there are still small numbers of Bramblings in the immediate area. It is likely that the Lapland Bunting is still present with the Skylark flock but it doesn't seem to have been reported today...

Regards

Neil M


Blue Tit.

Great Tit.

Marsh Tit.
Above images courtesy
of John Tilly.


First year female
Sparrowhawk.

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