Au revoir Bourne!

Back down to Icklesham tomorrow, Will keep a written diary as to update a day by day analysis when I get back. Now to try and use birds as an excuse to ignore impending results day (cries)

Forgein Controls!

I also bring news of a Chaffinch to Norway and a Brambling to Denmark! Details when I remember to pick them up from the back of Alan's car...so in about 3 weeks :-P

Icklesham 12-18 July.

Once again life has been busy, birding and otherwise, meaning I haven't had a chance to keep this blog updated, so my apologies.

However I don't want to write to much as I am unaware on how strict where I have been ringing is on releasing news. What I can say is that I can now include Oystercatcher and Reed Warbler on my ring list, and have had an opportunity to get my eye in on fat and muscle scores. All good stuff! The place felt very scientific and it loved it! If only the weather had been a little better! Most of my time was spent wandering with the bins during the day (25 miles in 3 days of which I was rather proud of ;-) ). Due to the amount of learning done, I got few photos of actual birds, however I'll put up a couple of scenic landscape shots when I next have a chance.

Also a short trip to Dunsby Sewage Treatment Works (first of the year) earlier this week turned out to be rather unsucessful and ended up in going Owling, not that I am complaining!

Back down south on Monday, and news is good for numbers picking up. Very excited!

Raptor Heaven

So after Buzzard's a few weeks back, my raptor list is pretty impressive for someone only ringing 18 months. Kestrel, Barn, Little and Tawny Owls being regulars it was nice to get Buzzards and Peregrine recently. But now I can add another two species to the list with Red kite and Marsh Harrier, both emmence birds!

Buzzards

Red Kite

Marsh Harrier

And not to forget the my second wader. Little Ringed Plover. Beauties!

Goodbye exams, hello summer!

Not much to update on, over the last 3 weeks I have been full on with exams so managed to sneak out only twice. Once to get Buzzard chicks, (great stuff) and then a full day to escape the revision. Managed to get 50 raptors in one day however. Had this weekend off for general partying and releasing steam but looks like I could have a new bird for tomorrow. Watch this space ;-)

House Martins!

1st June, off to ring Hirundines! We arrived at a gorgeous farm house perfect for House Martins and there were possibly as many as 30 nests. We hastily put the nets up despite the wind being rather strong and the sun beaming down. Got around 12 birds but with 50+ flying around, a possible return visit could be very productive...

Peregrines 27/05/2011

What a morning! After reaching St Wulframs in Grantham, we took some time to scope the male bird to check for rings. Turns out he isnt ringed. The Female is a known bird ringed as a chick in Lancs.

Mrs Peg

Ever since I was little I've never been particularly good with heights, so climbing the spiral staircase to the roof wasnt a life highlight by any means. However after accending the church the sight of 3 plump chicks was excellent.