Sunday ringing

Hello

A ringing session undertaken by Kenny and Keith at Linford Lakes, Milton Keynes was very successful today with sixty birds processed of eleven species, thirty-seven of which were newly-ringed. Without doubt the highlight was no less than four Cuckoos caught and ringed (two males, two females) which means that twelve birds have been processed there this year (two re-traps and ten new birds). Twenty-seven Reed Warblers ensured this was the most numerous species plus a dozen Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler and a Treecreeper plus more common fare.

At the same time another ringing session was undertaken at Harrington Airfield where fifty-six birds also of eleven species were processed, of which only seven were re-traps. Willow Warblers breed on-site and today nineteen were handled which included freshly-fledged juveniles and three birds first ringed there last year (two as juveniles and one as an adult). Four new Robins were all juveniles and other birds encountered included a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap and six Common Whitethroats. Several Brown Hares were active and butterflies included Common Blue, Large Skipper, Ringlet, Small Heath, Painted Lady and Red Admiral. Day-flying moths included Cinnabar.

A Hobby and at least two Ravens were at Hanging Houghton this afternoon with a Barn Owl at Lamport Hall this morning. Two Little Owls were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and at Hollowell Reservoir the long-staying female Ruddy Shelduck turned up again. Birds noted at Stanford Reservoir included a Hobby, two Cuckoos, two Cetti's Warblers and two Oystercatchers.

Regards

Neil M

Female Cuckoo.

Blackcap.

Treecreeper.

All images courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.