Bob the Robin!

Hello

Debbie and Eric visited Thrapston Pits today seeing two Great White Egrets, a large number of Little Egrets (in double figures), two pairs of Stonechats and a Grey Wagtail.

At Hollowell Reservoir Mark Piper's haul of birds included the Caspian Gull again, a Green Sandpiper, seven Pink-footed Geese and three Crossbills.

A small Starling murmuration was noticed at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon near to the Fishing Lodge and a count of twenty-eight Common Buzzards in fields near Everdon was an excellent collection. It is assumed they were on the look out for earthworms, the staple diet for many of these birds during the winter.

A pair of Stonechats and two Bramblings were again in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton.

During the last two days Kenny and Keith committed to two mornings ringing at Linford Lakes with further spectacular captures. Seventy birds were encountered of twenty species, the majority of which were newly ringed. A further character has become a regular observer and has learned to become interactive with the ringers - Bob the Robin! Bob flies down to the ringing table picking up any crumbs but doesn't like any other birds around 'his' ringing table and shows aggressive traits towards them!

The very diverse spectrum of birds caught and ringed included a nice range of thrushes with seven Blackbirds, three Song Thrushes, twenty-three Redwings and a Fieldfare. There were still warblers out there with five Chiffchaffs and a Cetti's Warbler processed plus a Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, three Meadow Pipits, three Lesser Redpolls, two Goldfinches and two Reed Buntings. A Kingfisher added some colour as did a Green Woodpecker plus another Water Rail and a beautiful Barn Owl. What a combination which reflects the amount of time, commitment, preparation and various trapping techniques employed by the team on the ground. Deep down I'm sure Bob approved!

Regards

Neil M

Meet Bob the Robin!

Water Rail.

Green Woodpecker.

Barn Owl.

Images courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.