Ringing Round Up

My birding opportunities have been somewhat limited this week. The Turtle Doves remain at Harrington Airfield, a Grasshopper Warbler near to Blueberry Farm and at Pitsford Reservoir Ringed Plovers, Little Ringed Plovers, Common Sandpiper, Oystercatchers and a rather splendid Great White Egret.

Dave Francis conducted a CES ringing session on Wednesday 24th May where 39 birds were caught including the first juvenilles of the season. Dunnock and Long Tailed Tit.
Birds caught : L T Tit 7, Blackbird 6, Chiffchaff 4, Wren 3, Blackcap 3, Garden Warbler 3, Blue Tit, Dunnock 3, Reed Warbler 1, Bullfinch 1,Marsh Tit 1, Robin 1, Great Tit 1, G S Woodpecker 1
A retrapped Great Tit was 7 years old !! Whilst not a national record which is 11 years, it is still a very good age for a small bird. The bird was a female with an active brood patch.

Today Chris Payne was at Stortons Gravel Pit where 55 new and 12 retrap birds were caught.
A good variety of new birds : Reed Warbler 11, Sedge Warbler 5, Garden Warbler 5, Whitethroat 4, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Cettis Warbler 1, Reed Bunting 6, Blackcap 1, Robin 2, Dunnock 2, Wren 4, L T Tit 1, Blackbird 1, Great Tit 6 pulli.
A retrap Garden Warbler was originally ringed at Pitsford Reservoir 14/7/09.
Three retrap Reed Warblers were ringed in 2012, 2013 and 2014.....I wonder how many miles these birds have flown !!!

Regards Eleanor