Pitsford Ringing

Hello

A rather intense and busy ringing session in the Walgrave Bay at Pitsford Reservoir today yielded 224 captures of sixteen species. Not surprisingly it was the tit family that made up the numbers with as many as 98 Blue Tits plus 39 Great Tits, 6 Coal Tits, 2 Marsh Tits and 14 Long-tailed Tits. Other birds encountered in mist nets included a single Fieldfare, 5 Blackbirds, 29 Redwings, 6 Goldcrests, a Chiffchaff, a Treecreeper, 3 Bullfinches and 4 Chaffinches. Other birds noted included a Great White Egret, two Bramblings, a Redpoll and at least one other Chiffchaff.

White-fronted Geese are still out there and on the move too with a flock of twenty-three flying over Summer Leys LNR today and still with two adults at Clifford Hill Pits. Also at Summer Leys early this afternoon there was an excellent gathering of 400 - 500 Golden Plovers with two Great White Egrets present late morning.

The mobile female Merlin was today in the Blueberry Farm area as were the two regular Woodcock plus a pair of Stonechats. Four more Stonechats were still in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton. Harrington Airfield was quiet today with barely thirty Golden Plovers still present.

Stuart went looking for the Firecrests at Stortons Pits today but didn't find them, but he did hear a Bearded Tit calling from 'the southern bench' area.

Hollowell Reservoir's birds still included the juvenile Great Northern Diver which showed well at the inlet end of the reservoir early this afternoon, a Great White Egret, the Ruddy Shelduck and ten Pink-footed Geese.

Regards

Neil M

Blue Tit.

Canada Goose courtesy
of Phillip Davies.

Common Buzzard courtesy
of Phillip Davies.

Wren courtesy of
Phillip Davies.