Month: August 2017

Ringing this evening was quiet. A Marsh Tit was re-trapped. 8 new Marsh Tits have been rung in the study area – 2 adults and the rest fledged juveniles. This is a good increase on the numbers from last year and gives a good picture of breeding in the study area. Other birds noted:– Little Egret, Kingfisher and a group of 15-20 Long-tailed Tits.

Dam End:- 2f Wheatears, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Common Tern, 12 Lapwing, 6 Chiffchaffs, 5 Starlings, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 10 Swallows, 10 House Martins, 6 Pied Wagtail, 1 Little Grebe + 1 juv.

Dam End:- 5 Common Sandpipers, 25 Lapwings, 1 Common Tern, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 10 Herring Gulls, 1 Little Grebe + 2 juveniles, Great Crested Grebe + 2 juveniles (different birds to West End juveniles), 2 Little Egrets, 6 Starlings, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Kingfisher, 10 Swallows, 35 House Martins, 15 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Pied Wagtails, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 80 Goldfinch and 1 Silver-washed Fritillery.

A few hours of early evening ringing produced a female adult Blackcap – moulting (photo). A new Marsh Tit, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Robin and a Willow Warbler. Also two Kingfishers seen.

West End:- 2 juvenile Great Crested Grebe still, 1 Little Egret, 2 Mandarin, 5 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 41 Mallard, 3 Buzzard, 4 Moorhen, 1 Lapwing, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Common Tern, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 House Martin, 4 Swallows, 4 Stock Dove.
Whillet’s:- Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers heard, Reed Warbler heard, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Spotted Flycatcher.
Interestingly several baby common lizards were seen by the work party on Whillet’s Pool Island. Plus an amphibian survey carried out today included 14 Grass Snakes, Slow Worm and 2 Water Shrews.

Ringing this morning to mid afternoon proved very productive; maybe due to rain forecast later in day:- Grasshopper Warbler (picture), Blackcaps, Garden Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Marsh Tits, Bullfinches and Goldcrests.

West End:- 1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 28 House Martins, 1 Sand Martin, 14 Chiffchaffs, 22 Lapwings, 1 Common Tern, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap.
Dam End:- 3 Swifts, 1 Common Whitethroat, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Terns, 185 Black-Headed Gulls, 41 Herring Gulls.

West End:- 2 Little Egret, 13 Lapwing, 209 Greylag Geese, 7 White Feral/Greylag hybrid Geese, c.70 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 2 Great Crested Grebe young seen, 3 Mandarin Duck, 4 Stock Dove flyover.
Whillet’s:- 1 Spotted Flycatcher (pic), 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, Buzzard heard.
Also a couple of pictures showing views from the hide following our work party on Tuesday when we cut back most of the bracken and bramble to give some open feeding ground (and better views).

Late afternoon.
Dam End:- 2 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Egret, 7 Lapwing, 22 Herring Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull.
West End:- 1 Coot, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Sand Martin, 4 House Martin, 20+ Swallow.
Whillet’s:- 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Buzzard. Dragonflies:- 3 Blue-tailed Damselfly, 1 Southern Hawker, 1 Brown Hawker, 2 Common Darter. Butterflies:- 1 Gatekeeper, 3 Common Blue, 1 Small Skipper.