Saturday, April 05, 2008

This week

Into April - the feeders were empty on Wednesday after last weekend but filled them up, even though it was warm. The Canadas were nearly all on K/M (32 of them) with a couple of pairs each on 'Lilypads' and the main island. Did get a snatch of Willow W, however.
Thursday came (nearly missed it - got a cold) and the nets went up a bit late. However, did manage 40 birds, not all tits. 3 Chiffs, 3 Blackcaps of which 2 were heavy as if they were just in, 1 m Robin, several new Wrens, 2 new male 2CY Song Thrushes (did loads last year - where are they?) but no Blackbirds. A Blue Tit from '03 and 2 from '05, 3 Great Tits from '05 and a Dunnock and Wren also from '05. This is good and the result of a run of mild winters, no doubt. A m Reed Bunting was singing and rooting about in the 'long hedge' by the car. Spooked a Water Rail near the 'steps'.
Friday had a poke about but nothing really special; a Swallow and a Willow.
Saturday went to check on the Kingfishers. Caught a retrap male but no female; probably nesting. Watched a pair of (unringed) Blackcaps for some time and, later, a pair of Great Tits; the male GT was ringed (must net this area soon). Then a build up of 150-200 Sand Martins over the lakes about 10:30 am, also 7 Swallows & 1 House Martin. No Reed or Sedge yet! Jon B rang just after I'd left with a sighting of an Osprey being harassed by the crows and then plunging into the main lake opposite the hide c.11 am; possibly the same as at Broom @ 10:20. My cold's no better, thanks.

1 comment:

David said...

On Thursday evening a Chiffchaff was singing by the cycle track at Fish Ponds.