Autumn ringing

Hello

Calmer weather of late has provided bird ringing opportunities in the county and on Saturday 26th October Kenny Cramer and his team conducted a session at Linford Lakes, close to the county border but on the outskirts of Milton Keynes. Eighty-three birds of seventeen species were encountered which included seasonal birds such as twelve Redwings, a high number of thirteen Chiffchaffs, a single Blackcap, three Goldcrests, three Greenfinches, two Goldfinches, two Cetti's Warblers, a Treecreeper, a probable continental Blackbird, a Reed Bunting and the highlight of two first year Kingfishers lying in a mist net side by side.

The day (25th) before and another band of intrepid ringers tried their luck at Stortons Pits which yielded fifty-eight birds of fourteen species including a Moorhen, two Water Rails, a Cetti's Warbler, four Goldcrests, three Chiffchaffs, a single Blackcap again, a Reed Bunting, six Goldfinches and three Greenfinches.

Local ringing has helped to evidence an apparent 'bounce-back' of Greenfinch numbers with the highest numbers processed in the county for some years. Blackcaps seemed to have moved through early this autumn with only odd birds being caught in recent weeks.

Today (Wednesday 30th October) and birds noted at Earls Barton Pits were the continuing Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys LNR and a Hen Harrier again through the new workings this afternoon.

A flock of about twenty Crossbills flew over Mercury Drive on the Brackmills Estate at Northampton this afternoon and at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell there was a large movement of hundreds of Fieldfares moving south and a Short-eared Owl flew over high up.

A Raven was at Fishponds Road, Little Billing this morning causing consternation amongst the local birds and at Stanford Reservoir there was a Whooper Swan, a Pink-footed Goose, six Red-crested Pochard, a Great White Egret, two Kingfishers, a Cetti's Warbler, two Stonechats and a Barn Owl. A Barn Owl was at Courteenhall.

Regards

Neil M

Goldfinch.

Blackcap.

Cetti's Warbler.

Chiffchaff.

Kingfishers.

All above images courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Moorhen courtesy
of Chris Payne.