Chicks, Flowers and Insects
Monday, June 24th 2013
The last 0400 start for the bird ringers saw them arrive with little hope of completing the ten and a half hours required; the forecast was for heavy showers from 0900 and strong winds all day. However the nets stayed up till 1430 with only a few very short drizzly showers in between. Again, the number of birds processed was lower than expected but in the gusty wind the nets were really visible. There were more juveniles handled including Bullfinches, Dunnocks and some Great Tits that had already been ringed in nest boxes.
Later than expected was our first 2013 juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker, the red crown identifying it as a youngster.
Followers of the blog know that a Sedge Warbler has been seen and heard in the Scrapes for some time. Last week, the male was caught wearing a French ring. Today a juvenile was ringed which was very good news; it is some time since these birds have bred in Foxglove Covert.
Another youngster arriving in the ringing room was a Goldfinch, recognisable from the black and bright yellow markings on its wings. It will take a little more time before it develops the red pattern on its head.
Yesterday these Redshank chicks were left off the blog as the author was unsure of the species! (Incorrect ID would have resulted in a great number of emails!!) They were caught on the training area.
A change of subject. The Northern Marsh Orchids are beginning to set seed whilst the Common Spotted Orchids are beginning to flower and will certainly constitute an entry in the flower list at the end of June. Although the weather was very wet last year, the Common Spotted Orchids appeared in places we did not expect them to. This trend seems to be continuing this year.
Bird's Foot Trefoil is a harbinger of summer.
And finally the insects have to have their place on the blog. Eco Club found the last Wasp Beetle and it was a new species for the reserve. It has rarely been seen since until Brian's eagle eyes spotted it on a tree tube this afternoon.
Lacewings are often found in the hides over the winter. This one was waiting on a Raspberry leaf for its prey.
As always many thanks to the staff and volunteers who helped with ringing, tea making, washing up and many other jobs as well. Their help and support is very much appreciated.
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