We ringed two Litttle Ringed Plover chicks at a confidential site in the Soar Valley. There is another nest with 4 eggs and so many adult birds that we suspect other nests in the vicinity. This is a schedule 1 species (requiring special permission to ring at the nest which we have). It is quite remarkable that the yellow eye ring, one of the most prominant features of an adult, is so visible on such a young bird.
We visited the Watermead ternery (see projects etc) this evening and it was a great relief to find that the management work done by Dale, Jenny and the country rangers had paid off. We found many nests and some young already hatched out and ready to ring (below left). The image above left however shows the incredible variety this year. The large image is of a 'standard' nest, but look at the other two!
5 Kestrel chicks ringed this evening (right).
Return visit to Watermead ternery island resulted in ten more Common Tern chicks being ringed also Oystercatcher (below left) and a brood of three Mistle Thrush nearby at the Severn Trent depot (below right)
Watermead reedbed produced excellent numbers of Reed Warbler (including young birds such as the one below left) also progress for this site in the shape of breeding Reed Bunting (young bird below center and several adults also ringed). Several pairs of Sedge Warbler are now holding territory this year including the male below right. This stand of phragmites reed is now probably the largest single reedbed in the County.
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