Ringing yesterday...

Hello

Cold but pleasant (eventually) ringing conditions caused Kenny and Keith to be out very early yesterday morning for a spot of bird ringing at Linford Lakes with spectacular results. Although a relatively low catch of 32 birds (28 birds newly ringed) it included 14 species and a number of rarely caught species. The total included the more likely three Blackbirds, a Song Thrush and eight Redwings but also two Fieldfares and a Mistle Thrush - a bird that very infrequently finds a mist net. Other birds included a solitary Chiffchaff, three Goldfinches and a super Water rail which normally would have been 'bird of the day'. However that position was rightly claimed by an early morning Long-eared Owl - surely one of the ultimate birds to have the privilege of being extra close to! Congratulations to Kenny and Keith for their frosty morning endeavours!

Over at Stanford Reservoir the ringers there were active too and produced another very special bird in the shape of a tiny but beautiful Firecrest, another special treat to appreciate up close and personal!

Jacob and Bethan strolled out to Pitsford Reservoir yesterday and found a flock of 13 Crossbills flying over the Scaldwell Bay plus two Great White Egrets and three Red-crested Pochards. Mark Piper saw two Crossbills at Hollowell Reservoir where they have been lingering around the trees next to the Sailing Club and Guilsborough Bay plus a Red-crested Pochard and six remaining Pink-footed Geese.

A flock of Bearded Tits were reported at Earls Barton Pits yesterday but apparently flew off and over a hundred Golden Plovers remain at Harrington Airfield (present the last couple of weeks). Three or four Stonechats remain in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton (still present this morning).

Finally Phil Horsnail tracked down two Hawfinches yesterday at Tansor but the area is a private site. So quality birds all about us!

Regards

Neil M

Fieldfare.

Mistle Thrush.

Water Rail.

Long-eared Owl.

Images courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.