A report covering the last 20 years has just been published by the Ivel RG. A copy has been lodged at the Bedford Central Library and at Bedford Museum. These are available for public reference.
The report covers all the species that have been caught in the park, all recoveries and controls and the longest durations between trapping dates. Tables shew the numbers of new birds caught and the CES results year on year. The report includes photographs.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Saturday 23rd August
Finally a gorgeous morning and great birding to go with it. Met up with DK and wandered around the park with him. Highlights were the Rough where we stood watching various Tits, Finches and Warblers gorging on the elderberries. These included some pristine Lesser Whitethroats, at least half a dozen, and a dozen or more Goldfinch, including several youngsters.
A stroll up to Meadow Lane GP was a bit disappointing with just a single Green Sandpiper, a Common Sand and a Kestrel. Also large numbers of Goldfinch, 50+, on the thistle heads. Saw John on the way out along the cycle path and he reported a Ringed Plover there but I didn't see it.
Back in the park we had a couple of Grey Wagtails on the Canoe Slalom although DK reported double figures earlier in the week. On the south side of the main lake we had yet more Chiffs and Willow Warblers and a superb female Sparrowhawk over the main lake.
However the best was yet to come. We met up with John again at the west side of the main lake and stood chatting when DK spotted a Common Buzzard, just above the tree line to the south. As we watched that I spotted another 3 high above us. This turned into 4 all thermaling high above us with occasional grappling between 2 of them. A few minutes later a fifth arrived lower down over the main lake. We continued to watch them for a while with DK grabbing a few shots before they headed off, at speed, to the west. A new park record for Buzzards.
A stroll up to Meadow Lane GP was a bit disappointing with just a single Green Sandpiper, a Common Sand and a Kestrel. Also large numbers of Goldfinch, 50+, on the thistle heads. Saw John on the way out along the cycle path and he reported a Ringed Plover there but I didn't see it.
Back in the park we had a couple of Grey Wagtails on the Canoe Slalom although DK reported double figures earlier in the week. On the south side of the main lake we had yet more Chiffs and Willow Warblers and a superb female Sparrowhawk over the main lake.
However the best was yet to come. We met up with John again at the west side of the main lake and stood chatting when DK spotted a Common Buzzard, just above the tree line to the south. As we watched that I spotted another 3 high above us. This turned into 4 all thermaling high above us with occasional grappling between 2 of them. A few minutes later a fifth arrived lower down over the main lake. We continued to watch them for a while with DK grabbing a few shots before they headed off, at speed, to the west. A new park record for Buzzards.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Birding bits
Sat - Willow Warbler in song nr Rough; 1 Swallow over, calling; plenty of birds on the VC feeders esp black sunflowers; 6 Cormorant over; 2x LT Tit flocks through (18? birds); 3+ Swifts; odd Sand Martin & usual House Martins
Sun - at least 7 Common Terns; 1 Cormorant; 4 Heron; c.50 House Martins early; 3 Swift; c35 Sand Martins later on; singing Willow Warbler by Rough & Crescent + at least 2 more on the south side; 2 Swallows; 4 Gadwall - drake seperately to duck with 2 imms, all on W.Fingers. Plenty of Chiffs still. DJB had Bullfinches in 2 different places around Fingers.
Sun - at least 7 Common Terns; 1 Cormorant; 4 Heron; c.50 House Martins early; 3 Swift; c35 Sand Martins later on; singing Willow Warbler by Rough & Crescent + at least 2 more on the south side; 2 Swallows; 4 Gadwall - drake seperately to duck with 2 imms, all on W.Fingers. Plenty of Chiffs still. DJB had Bullfinches in 2 different places around Fingers.
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