Saturday's ringing

Hello

The dull, mild conditions promulgated ringing sessions at Linford Lakes and Scotland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate) this morning.

Kenny and Keith's efforts at Linford Lakes provided quality captures in the form of three Chiffchaffs, seven Redwings, four Goldfinches, two Goldcrests, a Siskin and a Kingfisher plus more common fare.

At Scotland Wood we watched Woodcock flying into the wood pre-dawn from their night-time forays and processed about ninety-one small birds of fourteen species which included two Blackbirds, just a single Redwing, fourteen Goldcrests, a Blackcap, sixteen Coal Tits, three Marsh Tits, a Treecreeper, a Nuthatch and two male Lesser Redpolls. Small numbers of Siskins were in the wood. One of the Marsh Tits was an old bird first ringed in December 2014 and not recorded since 2018 and is at least seven years old (the national longevity record is eleven years three months).

At Pitsford Reservoir this morning the Wood Sandpiper was still present in the Scaldwell Bay and there were at least fourteen Great White Egrets and fifteen Red-crested Pochard. This afternoon extra birds included a Barnacle Goose and a drake Mandarin Duck with the goose flock plus a few Siskins, a Brambling and a roost flock of approximately two thousand Jackdaws.

Two Woodcock and a scattering of Bramblings were at Blueberry Farm this morning plus a Barn Owl in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and at least one Brambling in the village.

Birds visible at Sywell Country Park included 400 - 500 Golden Plovers and a Stonechat, the two Smew were still at Ringstead Pits, two drake Goosanders were on Eastfield Park Lake, Northampton and the Dark-bellied Brent Goose was again reported from Clifford Hill Pits.

Let's see what the cooler temperatures and clear skies provides for us!

Regards

Neil M

Chiffchaff courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.

Goldfinch courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Treecreeper courtesy of
Lewis Aaron.

Male Lesser Redpoll
courtesy of Lewis Aaron.