Kestrels and Sparrowhawks

Sunday, November 29th 2020

Bird ringing is a way of learning about migration but it can also teach us about longevity too. This Kestrel that was caught by some of the bird ringers last weekend was first ringed as an adult in 2012, making it at least 9 years old!

Another Kestrel was ringed during the week too. This one was a young male and hadn't been caught deliberately in a mist net but had been found laying in a field by a member of the public. Raye Wilkinson took it in and looked after it and it was brought to the reserve to be ringed. It has since been successfully released back into the wild close to where it was discovered.

The release went even better than expected with the bird flying a good distance straight away. With their huge black eyes Kestrels can spot small prey from 200 feet above the ground.

Another small bird of prey, the Sparrowhawk, is occasionally caught in the mist nets. This adult male was ringed yesterday by one of the ringers in their back garden.

As with Kestrels, the male Sparrowhawks are smaller than the females. They are more colourful too; their heads are blue-grey with reddish cheeks and the chin and upperthroat are white. Sparrowhawks’ eyes are orange surrounded by a yellow eye ring and legs and feet are yellow.

Those eyes!

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Family Pond Dipping 1

Wednesday 28th July 2021 | 45 minute sessions on the hour

Come along and find out which animals are living in some of the Foxglove ponds. Book a pond dipping session for your family bubble. There will be a socially distanced brief to set you off and then you can use the equipment for the remainder of the session. You will be requested to use hand gel on arrival and the net handles will be cleaned between sessions. Please call the Reserve Managers on 07754 270980 to book your allocated slot. You are advised to arrive 15 minutes before your allocated time.

Booking is essential. A donation in advance (card payment by phone) of £5 per family bubble is required in order to secure your booking.

Family Pond Dipping 2

Wednesday 4th August 2021 | 45 minute sessions on the hour

Come along and find out which animals are living in some of the Foxglove ponds. Book a pond dipping session for your family bubble. There will be a socially distanced brief to set you off and then you can use the equipment for the remainder of the session. You will be requested to use hand gel on arrival and the net handles will be cleaned between sessions. Please call the Reserve Managers on 07754 270980 to book your allocated slot. You are advised to arrive 15 minutes before your allocated time.

Booking is essential. A donation in advance (card payment by phone) of £5 per family bubble is required in order to secure your booking.

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