Ringing the next generation

Hello

Some bird ringing over the weekend at Linford Lakes, Milton Keynes provided one hundred and fifty-seven birds of twenty-one species. Only fourteen of these birds had been previously ringed. Warbler highlights were twenty-six Blackcaps, seven Garden Warblers, five Common Whitethroats, five Lesser Whitethroats, twelve Reed Warblers, four Sedge Warblers, four Chiffchaffs and twelve Willow Warblers. Fourteen Greenfinches and six Goldfinches continued the good run of finches on-site. Other birds were two Goldcrests, a Kingfisher and a re-trap Bullfinch plus a juvenile Pied Wagtail.

At Brixworth Treatment Works another ringing session provided one hundred and twenty-five captures with warblers dominating made up of twenty-nine Common Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat, singles of Sedge and Reed Warbler, two Garden Warblers, ten Blackcaps, two Willow Warblers and eighteen Chiffchaffs. Other highlights were another re-trap Bullfinch, ten Goldfinches, three Grey Wagtails (of about five/six present) and a Kingfisher.

At Stanford Reservoir today the Ferruginous Duck re-appeared and other sightings were a Common Snipe, three Common Sandpipers, a Hobby, three Raven, twenty-five Yellow Wagtails and a Cetti's Warbler.

A Caspian Gull and up to seven Yellow-legged Gulls visited Priors Hall Lake, Corby this morning and at least two Spotted Flycatchers were at Old Quarry Wood, Priors Hall.

A Wood Sandpiper, a Greenshank and a Pintail were at Titchmarsh LNR, Thrapston Pits. Clifford Hill Pits hosted a Common Snipe, a Great White Egret, a Common Sandpiper and twenty Yellow Wagtails. At Summer Leys LNR two Cattle Egrets flew towards Hardwater Mill and two Hobbies were active. Eight Grey Partridges were on the scrape.

A Marsh Harrier was at Kinewell Lake, Ringstead Pits where also Small Red-eyed Damselflies were showing as was a Lesser Emperor.

At least ten Spotted Flycatchers were roaming between the Old Scaldwell Road and the Bird Club hide at Pitsford Reservoir, and where also a Greenshank.

A Common Redstart was along the south perimeter hedge at Cold Ashby Golf Club, and a male Common Redstart and about ten Spotted Flycatchers were at Lamport Hall with still the Spotted Flycatcher family in gardens in Hanging Houghton village. Two Common Redstarts were at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton provided a Marsh Harrier, a Common Redstart and a Siskin.

A Hobby was over Great Oxendon.

Regards

Neil M

Lesser Whitethroat.

Pied Wagtail.

Willow Warbler.

Images courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.