Ringing at Linford Lakes

Hello

More sunshine and cool winds dominated today and seem set for the week ahead too!

A ringing session today at Linford Lakes on the outskirts of Milton Keynes provided forty-two captures of fourteen species of which twenty-three were birds already ringed. Two Chiffchaffs and three Blackcaps were the warbler contingent and finches included five Goldfinches and six Greenfinches. Of the four Reed Buntings caught one bore a ring from elsewhere and some glamour birds included a Magpie and a stunning Kingfisher. Possibly the star bird of the session was a Common Snipe.

Digital photography often assists in identifying difficult birds and appears to have been instrumental in identifying a possible Northern Creeper wintering at Summer Leys LNR. What appeared to be this bird was still present today, possibly with a more typical British bird. The Glossy Ibis was also present as was a Black-tailed Godwit and a Blackcap.

Two Wheatears were at Clifford Hill Pits and birds at Thrapston Pits this afternoon included two Avocets, an overflying Osprey, four Egyptian Geese, a Water Rail, three Great White Egrets, two Kingfishers, four Oystercatchers, a Swallow, two Willow Warblers, two Grey Wagtails plus an Otter, all on the Titchmarsh reserve.

Elsewhere and there was a White Wagtail at Lower Barnwell Lock, a Grey Wagtail was near Brixworth and a Great White Egret was north of the causeway at Pitsford Reservoir.

A vocal male Common Redstart was at Hanging Houghton this afternoon in a field hedge just north of the village at what3words stun.unloaded.everyone

Regards

Neil M

Galavanting lamb!

Jaeger in the sunshine!

Peacock butterfly in 
a remarkably good condition.

Male Blackcap courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Kingfisher courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

Common Snipe courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.