Ringing at Kelmarsh Hall

Hello

A ringing session at Kelmarsh Hall today recorded one hundred and fifty captures and provides an insight into how many birds are attracted to the feeding station there. Most birds were newly ringed and first year Blue Tits predominated but three Coal Tits, nine Long-tailed Tits, two Marsh Tits and eighteen Great Tits were also processed. The habitat attracts many woodland birds and we caught two new Nuthatches and three Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a Jay too. A few finches attracted to the feedstuff included a Bullfinch, three Chaffinches, four Goldfinches and two Siskins.

Other birds noted on-site included a vocal Kingfisher, a pair of Raven, a Brambling and up to twenty further Siskins.

Birds at Pitsford Reservoir today included the Wood Sandpiper, two Green Sandpipers, a Dunlin, ten Great White Egrets, fifteen Red-crested Pochard and ten plus Pintail north of the causeway with two female/immature Common Scoters south of the causeway. 

An initial scan over Boddington Reservoir failed to locate a Common Scoter or the Pale-bellied Brent Goose this morning in icy conditions. Stuart attracted a male Blackcap on apples in his Duston garden.

The Dark-bellied Brent Goose was again at Clifford Hill Pits today plus two Great White Egrets and thirteen Golden Plovers. Birds at Thrapston Pits included six Great White Egrets and a pair of Stonechats.

The Brambling flock appears to have increased again at Harrington Airfield to over fifty birds this afternoon, a Woodcock flushed up and a Peregrine was harrying the Fieldfares there. Tomorrow (Monday) there is likely to be a ringing session around the bushes and bunkers in the morning and this area will have restricted access during that time but the concrete track and main footpath is unaffected.

Regards

Neil M

Jay.

Siskin.

Nuthatch courtesy
of John Tilly.