On the 8th, we returned hoping to do better than last week. We suceeded - just.
Wren 1, a recent fledgling
Robin 3, a mixed bag of youngsters
Blackbird 2 (2)
Song Thrush 1, a recent fledgling
Whitethroat 5, including an adult completing its wing moult, a sign that it will soon depart for Africa
Garden Warbler 3, scruffy youngsters getting 'dressed' for the off
Blackcap 3, included a new adult male
Chiffchaff 2
Willow Warbler 1, number 4!
Long-tailed Bushtit 1, a stray youngster
Blue Tit 3 (2)
Great Tit 1 (1)
Chaffinch 1, a fine male
Goldfinch 2, possibly a pair
Bullfinch 1, a breeding last-year's female.
Well, that was 35, but we had to exploit two sub-sites to reach it.
Back for another go next weekend, if the weather permits.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Saturday 7th August 2010
A fairly quiet morning with very few Warblers seen/heard, but at least it wasn't raining this week. No Canada Geese on the main lake but Mute Swan numbers remain a similar levels with ~99 + the 3 cygnets, although they were difficult to count this week with a large number tightly grouped together by the island. There was also a single Tufted Duck on the main lake. There seems to have been a die off of Bream with at least 3 dead fish noted at the beach end of the main lake and another spotted rolling about on the surface, seemingly in distress.
On Fingers the Mute Swan family were in the usual position on one of the islands in front of Kramer hide, in fact I'm not sure they have moved in 3 weeks! On west fingers at least 5 Gadwall were spotted in amongst the Mallards. It's a bit more challenging this time of year, with all the males in eclipse plumage, identifying individuals but good fun all the same. Kingfisher was also heard and seen from Kramer hide and later at the Canoe Slalom.
At the Canoe Slalom, as well as the Kingfisher, at least 5 Grey Wagtails were seen, along with a large cloud of, less welcome, midges.
Just a family of Common Whitethroats between the Woodland Walk and Fingers, our only Warbler count of the morning. We also had a single Common Blue butterfly by the south entrance to the Woodland Walk.
On Fingers the Mute Swan family were in the usual position on one of the islands in front of Kramer hide, in fact I'm not sure they have moved in 3 weeks! On west fingers at least 5 Gadwall were spotted in amongst the Mallards. It's a bit more challenging this time of year, with all the males in eclipse plumage, identifying individuals but good fun all the same. Kingfisher was also heard and seen from Kramer hide and later at the Canoe Slalom.
At the Canoe Slalom, as well as the Kingfisher, at least 5 Grey Wagtails were seen, along with a large cloud of, less welcome, midges.
Just a family of Common Whitethroats between the Woodland Walk and Fingers, our only Warbler count of the morning. We also had a single Common Blue butterfly by the south entrance to the Woodland Walk.
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Latest ringing results
We went on the Sunday, the first day of the month and the new period.
A tad on the slow side this morning, although conditions were about right - light breeze and plenty of cloud cover. However, this is the time of year when most of the birds are beginning to moult and the juveniles disperse to pastures new.
So here are the totals for new birds (and retraps):
Great Tit (3)
Chiffchaff 3 (1, a moulting adult female)
Willow Warbler 1, only our 3rd bird of the year
Blackcap 2 (1, an adult moulting male from 2007)
C. Whitethroat 2 (1)
Reed Warbler 1
TREECREEPER 1, a fresh juvenile, our 1st of the year
Wren 2
Blackbird 1, an adult male!!
Robin 1, getting its red breast, (1)
Dunnock 2
Chaffinch (1)
Goldfinch 1, our 1st juvenile of the year.
Overhead we watched c.14 C.Swifts, the terns toing and froing from the Willington or further east. EG had a Little Egbert while EN spotted a Sparrowhawk. The woodpeckers were a little quiescent, giving a funny squeeky sound and the most half-hearted of drummings.
On the ground we had a Hedgehog and a Weasel, both out in broad daylight. The 'piggy' looked healthy and the mustelid was harassing the rabbits with good effect.
A tad on the slow side this morning, although conditions were about right - light breeze and plenty of cloud cover. However, this is the time of year when most of the birds are beginning to moult and the juveniles disperse to pastures new.
So here are the totals for new birds (and retraps):
Great Tit (3)
Chiffchaff 3 (1, a moulting adult female)
Willow Warbler 1, only our 3rd bird of the year
Blackcap 2 (1, an adult moulting male from 2007)
C. Whitethroat 2 (1)
Reed Warbler 1
TREECREEPER 1, a fresh juvenile, our 1st of the year
Wren 2
Blackbird 1, an adult male!!
Robin 1, getting its red breast, (1)
Dunnock 2
Chaffinch (1)
Goldfinch 1, our 1st juvenile of the year.
Overhead we watched c.14 C.Swifts, the terns toing and froing from the Willington or further east. EG had a Little Egbert while EN spotted a Sparrowhawk. The woodpeckers were a little quiescent, giving a funny squeeky sound and the most half-hearted of drummings.
On the ground we had a Hedgehog and a Weasel, both out in broad daylight. The 'piggy' looked healthy and the mustelid was harassing the rabbits with good effect.
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