Ringing Demonstration at Milton Keynes.

Hello

Yesterday saw a ringing demonstration at Milton Keynes in association with a biodiversity event organised by the Parks Trust in the community orchard at Woughton on the Green.

Despite the weather and number of people and 'things going on' Kenny Cramer and his small team managed to catch sixty or so birds to demonstrate the art and reasons for ringing as well as providing an opportunity for people to see birds up close and personal. Blue Tit was the most numerous capture with thirty birds located and extracted safely and also eighteen Blackcaps, a surprise Reed Warbler, a Wren, two Blackbirds, a Song Thrush, three Great Tits, four Long-tailed Tits (including a re-trapped bird at least four years old), and a Greenfinch.

Today and a Quail was heard calling near Mawsley at lunchtime, audible from the bridleway leading to Mill Lane, Faxton.

Two Garganey were on the scrape at Summer Leys LNR late this morning where also two Ringed Plovers, five Dunlin, a Green Sandpiper and five Common Snipe. Nearby a Green Sandpiper and two Common Sandpipers were at Whiston Wetlands.

A Common Redstart was still at Clifford Hill Pits today on the south-west side of the complex and two Dunlin were noted.

An adult Black-necked Grebe and five Green Sandpipers were at Daventry Country Park early this afternoon.

Spotted Flycatchers were behind the Bird Club at Pitsford Reservoir this afternoon and there were still fifteen Yellow Wagtails near the bio-fuel plant north of Kelmarsh off one of the minor roads to Clipston. An urban Raven was at Burwood Road, Northampton.

Two Common Redstarts were 1km north of Upper Heyford in a thick hedgerow by the track that runs from there to Little Brington, just west of Glassthorpe Hill. Four Common Redstarts were very showy at Honey Hill, Cold Ashby this afternoon plus a Whinchat and a passage of Swallows.

A Ruddy Shelduck was still at Stanford Reservoir today plus four Common Sandpipers and a brood of seven Tufted Duck ducklings.

A juvenile Marsh Harrier was in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this evening.

Regards

Neil M

Ringing demonstration in
style at yesterday's event!

Reed Warbler.

Blackcap.

Above images courtesy
of Kenny Cramer.

I'm just back from spending
several days in Suffolk, these
digi'scoped Stone Curlews
being one of the highlights.