Another cold spring day

Hello

A ringing session at Linford Lakes, Milton Keynes today utilised a newly-designed net and rigging system to try and catch birds towards the treetops and was a resounding success by catching two Cuckoos, a Green Woodpecker and a Jackdaw! Other birds processed included two Bullfinches, two Goldfinches, two Greenfinches, a Reed Bunting, a juvenile Robin and warblers included three Cetti's Warblers, two Blackcaps, four Garden Warblers, two Whitethroats, a Sedge Warbler, eight Reed Warblers and two Chiffchaffs.

Other birds seen on-site included three Hobbies and Muntjac and Badger were seen early morning.

Four Hobbies were hawking insects at Summer Leys this morning and a drake Garganey was asleep on Gull Island late morning with a Common Sandpiper on Hardwater Lake. An Otter put in an appearance last week. Two Hobbies were at Titchmarsh LNR (Thrapston Pits) this morning.

Five Wood Sandpipers were on the almost permanent flood water at Lilbourne Meadows reserve this afternoon and a Short-eared Owl was seen at Stanwick Pits this evening before being chased off by a Carrion Crow. A Barn Owl was near Preston Capes early this morning and a Peregrine was at a favoured site nearby. A drake Garganey was at Fawsley Park this morning but couldn't be found later.

The cold day temperatures ensures our garden is still busy with adult birds collecting food for their young and feeding up themselves - dried calciworms, sunflower hearts and suet pellets and suet blocks are the super foods that help both growing nestlings and hard-working parents.

A ringing session is planned for Harrington Airfield tomorrow and as such there will be limited access to the bunkers and the scrub between the gritting compound and the main concrete track. The bridle track and footpaths are unaffected.

Regards

Neil M

Juvenile Robin.

Common Whitethroat.

Both images courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.