Friday 15 September 2017

Migration in full swing...

Hello

Nick Wood and Chris Payne conducted some ringing at Chase Park Farm (near Yardley Chase) on Saturday 9th Sept, processing 59 birds made up of 15 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, 11 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, 4 Wrens, 13 Blue Tits, 5 Great Tits, a Marsh Tit, a Song Thrush, a Blackbird, 2 Robins and 3 Goldcrests.

A ringing demonstration will be taking place this coming Sunday at Pitsford Reservoir between 6.30am and 9.30am when local ringers hope to catch birds close to the Fishing Lodge. This is an opportunity to see common birds in the hand and appreciate their beauty and finesse close-up. Licensed ringers will be on hand to explain the processes and answer questions and refreshments will be available. The weather forecast currently looks favourable!

Jacob noted some birds at Pitsford Reservoir today amounting to a Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshanks, a Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Ruff, a Green Sandpiper and visible migration amounted to 10 Skylarks, 37 Meadow Pipits and 2 Siskins.

Cathy Ryden was again at Hollowell Reservoir and saw the Grey Phalarope plus a Redshank and an early Goosander.

A WeBS count at Ditchford Gravel Pits today was essentially quiet, the more noteworthy birds being a couple of Hobbies, an 'aythya' duck hybrid, 2 Ringed Plovers, a Green Sandpiper, a Snipe, 2 Ravens, 10 Kingfishers, 4 late Swifts, a couple of Water Rails and at least 5 Cetti's Warblers and 3 fly-over Siskins and a couple of Grey Wagtails going the same way.

Birds in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton today included a Marsh Harrier, 2 Golden Plovers and 5 Stonechats which gave the impression of being a family party. Harrington Airfield this afternoon produced a Wheatear, a Whinchat, 2 Redstarts and 2 Spotted Flycatchers.

Regards

Neil M




'Aythya' duck hybrid at Ditchford GP today.
Maybe of Pochard x Tufted Duck parentage
or perhaps Pochard x Scaup?

One of the Wildlife Trust
grazing cattle at Ditchford,
used extensively on
 reserves locally

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