A New Season

Not only are Mondays the start of the week but today the licensed bird ringing team started doing our on-site small nest boxes.

It is this time of year that the birds are now fully into breeding/nesting season, with some birds like this Dipper having already fledged. I watched it for some time as it fed its two chicks ….

….hitting the various aquatic inverts against a stone before feeding them.

We are very fortunate to monitor birds on and off the reserve at various sites, this Dipper chick was one of a clutch of 5 which we ringed at the weekend.

We started ringing Tawny…

…and Barn Owlets some time ago, and so far the season has been incredibly productive with Barn Owl boxes with up to 9 chicks. This indicates the large amount of food around for them in the form of voles and mice, etc. that are also having a bumper year in brood numbers.

Join our licensed bird ringers to visit some of the nest boxes in our scheme to observe and learn about the processes of bird ringing and nest monitoring. Spaces are limited. Remaining spaces for the first event are now open to all. Suggested donation of £3 per person for attendees who are not sponsors on our Adopt-a-box scheme. Visit the events page to book.