Ringing Scotland Wood.

Hello

Another ringing session at Scotland Wood on the Kelmarsh Estate took place this morning in further efforts to assess numbers of small birds using this woodland and assessing species longevity. Most of the hundred or so birds were members of the tit family which generally are short-lived birds with many lucky to achieve survival beyond the first year. Over fifty Blue Tits were processed in all probability the oldest bird being little more than four years. Of twenty-four Great Tits two were five years old. Of four Coal Tits assessed one was a remarkable individual in being at least seven years old and possibly older. Three re-trap Marsh Tits were of an unremarkable age and Scotland Wood is clearly their territory. Ten Dunnocks seems to be a continuing theme of good numbers being processed in the county this winter/spring.

Other wildlife noted in this mixed woodland alongside the A508 and A14 included a couple of Woodcock, a Brambling, at least half a dozen Siskins, two pairs of Sparrowhawks, bickering Nuthatches, a singing Chiffchaff and a couple of smart Roe Deer.

Birds at Summer Leys LNR included two Great White Egrets, an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Dunlin and a Pintail with a Green Sandpiper on the Earls Barton New Workings North complex. Three Dunlin were briefly at Stanwick Pits this morning. A Chiffchaff and a Blackcap were at Woodford Halse today and three Wheatears were noted at Polebrook Airfield in a field at the end of the main track.

Three Grey Wagtails, a Barn Owl and two Chiffchaffs were in the Stortons Pits/Duston Mill area this morning.

Two Ospreys turned up at Eyebrook Reservoir today and a third bird returned to Rutland Water. Other good news from the Peregrine pair at Higham Ferrers church is that the first egg was laid at 11.40am this morning!

Regards

Neil M

Cormorant courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Grey Wagtail at Duston
Mill today courtesy of
Tony Stanford.

Coal Tit courtesy of
John Tilly.

Peregrine.

Sparrowhawk.