Ringing at Linford Lakes

Hello

The conditions were right for a ringing session at Linford Lakes, Milton Keynes this morning which resulted in an interesting selection of thirty birds of fourteen species, twenty-four of which were newly-ringed. Perhaps the star bird was a Cuckoo which was first ringed there in 2022 and caught twice again in 2023 so clearly tries to summer in this area. A new Kingfisher was much appreciated and warblers included two Cetti's Warblers, four Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs, three Reed Warblers, two Garden Warblers, three Reed Warblers, two Common Whitethroats and four Lesser Whitethroats. One of the Chiffchaffs was a particularly bright bird with pale legs and bright beak and caused something of a debate as to it's exact identity. The bird didn't call on release so will go down as a 'bright Chiffchaff'!

One of the Blackcaps was ringed as an adult in 2021 and a Garden Warbler was first ringed in 2022 and re-trapped five times during the last three years - like the Cuckoo showing significant site fidelity. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was a re-trap, first ringed as an adult in 2021.

Other birds seen were another Cuckoo, a Ringed Plover, a Common Snipe, a Great White Egret and two Common Terns.

An early morning walk at Harrington Airfield provided a calling Corn Bunting flying south, two Ravens and two Wheatears in the field north of Bunker Three.

A Sanderling and a Spotted Redshank were seen at Eyebrook Reservoir today and a photograph in circulation on Whatsapp suggests a Purple Heron was photographed in flight at Summer Leys LNR at 8pm this evening. An Osprey flew over Whiston Wetlands today, a Black-tailed Godwit was at Summer Leys LNR and a pair of Mediterranean Gulls ranged along the Nene Valley between Whiston and Mary's Lake. Whiston Wetlands also hosted a drake Red-crested Pochard, six Avocets and a Common Sandpiper.

Regards

Neil M

Cuckoo.

Garden Warbler.

A bright 'Chiffchaff'.

Reed Warbler.

Two Common Whitethroats
and a Lesser Whitethroat.

All images courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.