Barn Owls - 9th June 2026

A day spent checking Barn Owl boxes on a large Norfolk Estate. Around two thirds of the nest sites were covered leaving another 10 or so for another day, hopefully when we won't be dodging the showers.

We were out before 7:30am and home 11 or so hours later. During that time we ringed 27 youngsters and two adults captured leaving boxes. We also found a deceased bird that had been ringed in 2020.

Apart from the owls, one of the best things about sites on these routes is the wonderful assortment of old barns. A few are shown below.

There are plenty of Hares in the fields.

Don't see so many Hedgehogs.

Totals: 31 (1)

Stock Dove - 2
Barn Owl - 29, adult - 2 (plus 1 recovery of a bird ringed as a nestling 2020) and owlets - 27

Beaulieu Oystercatcher radio tracking project - 1st to 3rd June 2026

 CL, DKL, PWL & GD travelled down to meet members of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust team to learn about a conservation initiative on Oystercatcher chicks. The project will look as alternative methods of nest protection and also study chick foraging areas and predation.

Currently at the preparation stage, Iceni trainer ringers received training for radio tagging of chicks in order to be able to cascade training for Natural England staff next year.

The challenges facing Oystercatcher productivity on the south coast and in North Norfolk differ somewhat, however the experience of MS, ER and their GWCT team in the study and protection of young waders will be invaluable in setting up the initiative in North Norfolk.

Many thanks to all the team for your time and willing support over the three days, and no doubt into the future.

Photo courtesy of P. Littler. Antennae attachment. The device is then 

camouflaged prior to release.

Photo courtesy of P. Littler. Radio trackers ready 

for preparation for fitting.

The habitat at Beauleiu is rather different to Scolt Head.

Open Farm Sunday Deepdale Farm - 31st May 2026

 This year we had a ringing demonstration followed by a stand at the main event. As usual we were worried that we'd have many birds for the visitors to see at the demo, but 14 of a range of species made for a good visitor experience. 

The two families enjoyed seeing Robins, Dunnocks, Blackcaps, Common and Lesser Whitethroat and a rather unexpected Wood Pigeon. 

The gentleman that released the last bird was surprised by the strength of the wing flaps and subsequent take off!

On then to the stand with information about Sculthorpe Moor and our general ringing activities.

Total: 13 (1)

Blackcap - 2
Dunnock - 2
Lesser Whitethroat - 0 (1)
Robin - 4
Whitethroat - 4
Wood Pigeon - 1

Undisclosed site - 29th May 2026

 In previous years we have been asked to give these birds a wide berth and not look for them, but now there are a few more pairs on the site we got the all clear, and although we missed what would have been the optimum day for finding some due to other monitoring taking place when we had booked to look for pulli, we at least managed this single chick today.

Stone Curlew chick

We also checked a Barn Owl box near by, finding 4 young that well be ready in four weeks or so. The parents were both in the box and the female captured, as she departed, and ringed.

Appropriate licences held for all ringed species.

Total: 2

Barn Owl - 1
Stone Curlew - 1

Sculthorpe Moor - 24th May 2026

 Only 15 birds caught today, but 4 were retraps and it's always nice to get returning summer migrants. The other particularly interesting thing was an adult Marsh Tit already well into primary and secondary moult and that was unexpected. Later in the morning we also caught another Marsh Tit, this time hatched this year but had already completed its post juvenile moult, prompting the question so exactly how early did its parents actually nest and lay eggs!

Adult MARTI, no breeding condition

Primary moult 0000000133

Juvenile Marsh Tit 3O

Adult male Treecreeper

Total: 11 (4)

Blackbird - 1
Blackcap - 2
Jay - 1
Marsh Tit - 2
Robin - 0 (1)
Reed Warbler - 0 (1)
Sedge Warbler - 4 (1)
Treecreeper - 1
Whitethroat - 0 (1)

Eveshill Farm - 22nd May 2026

 The Little Owls would probably be fledged by the time we go back for the Barn Owls so we took a trip down this afternoon.

Both adults were in the box, and 4 eggs had failed to hatch, but there was at least one healthy, decently sized owlet.

Female

Male

Owlet

Total:

Little Owl - 3

Another fortnight and it would definitely have been too late!

Morston - 18th May 2026

We were on site for 05:30am to find the weather forecast had been overly optimistic and it was windier than expected. We kept nets up until 11am and finished on 18 birds of only 4 species.

We thought there may have been Sedge Warblers going through as we seemed to catch rather a lot considering the habitat is not really suitable for breeding. A bird carrying fat score 2 seemed to add weight to that idea.

Whitethroat

Sedge Warbler

Total: 14 (4)

Dunnock - 0 (1)
Sedge Warbler - 7 (1)
Whitethroat - 6 (1)
Wren - 1 (1)

We then checked out some local owl boxes, finding no Barn Owls, but ringing a couple of Jackdaw young from one box, and a brood of 10 Blue Tits from a tit box fitted to the wall of  the barn.

One of two Jackdaw pulli