Stanwell Moor - 28 March 2013

Today was juts a walk around the site, the Bittern was still present, with two red Kites hunting over the spoil heaps, a Jack Snipe on the flash were the main birds of interest, with a couple of Water Pipits on Staines Moor. Also present where a number of Fieldfare and few Redwing feeding in the very wet and pooled horse paddocks around the site.

Stanwell Moor - 20 March 2013

For the second day running we spent the early evening at Stanwell Moor. This time we left the oh so frustrating water meadow well alone and remained near the lake to find out how the winter thrushes come in to roost. We hoped it might be possible to target them more effectly by placing nets in a different position, but as expected most dropped in from a high approach. We did manage to catch one Redwing, along with a Blackbird, Wren and a Blue Tit.

Totals: 4

Wren - 1
Blackbird - 1
Redwing - 1
Blue Tit - 1

Stanwell Moor - 19 March 2013

The meadow pool seems so promising that we gave it yet another go on this evening. Of course, we drew a blank yet again. However, a couple of nets set in the newly cleared rides around the lake and by the reed bed gave us a couple of Long-tailed Tits and a Chiffchaff. As the light began to fail it became apparent that the Starlings had started to roost again. Further to that, we could hear Fieldfare and Redwing calls emanating from the tall trees in the filter beds, now completely flooded under a few inches of water. We were surprised to find a Redwing in the net as we went to take down the last lake net.

The Bittern was still present, along with a Little Egret, and four Redshank, three Little Ringed Plovers and a Jack Snipe in the area around the flash.

 

Redwing Age 6 

Total - 4 (1)

Redwing - 1

Chiffchaff - 1

Long-tailed Tit - 1(1)

Starling - 1

Norfolk - 15 & 16 March 2013

We had a leisurely start to the day with a drive from home, arriving at around 11'o'clock. We started off a Cley where we made our first call the hide on the North bank. It was a real treat to see so many Brent Geese, many already paired, including a leucistic individual. We picked up a party of some 15 Snow Bunting that were foraging the bank between Arnold's March and the hide. On returning to the car we decided to drive round to the visitor centre and viewed the Purple Sandpiper, known to be present, en route.

 Purple Sandpiper

From the collection of hides, nestled together on the other side of the reserve, we were fortunate enough to see Avocet (including a colour-ringed bird that never emerged sufficiently from the water to allow the colour combination to be properly seen) among the collection of expected species and pick up a newly arrived Spoonbill.

Brent Geese

The weather was closing in by the time we went to Warham Greens and a Hen Harrier was seen before the rain, snow and biting wind drove us into the refuge of the car.

The next day dawned with rain, cloud and howling winds continuing from the previous night. The forecast for the remainder of the weekend was not at all promising so we set off for home via Thetford to try for the otters that have taken up residence.

 

A convergence of waterways just perfect for otters.

A favoured spot.

Snow drops - rather later than usual this year.

We were successful, but missed out on the Black-bellied Dipper(s) that had been around, but absent on the day previous. 
 

Stanwell Moor - 12 March 2013

An evening visit was arranged to try for ducks and waders using the flashes. Lapwing are now on territory and there are lots of Snipe feathers and footprints to betray their presence. As it happened these nets were unsuccessful but a net near the reed bed at least captured 2 Chiffchaff.

Totals : 2
Chiffchaff - 2

Stanwell Moor- 9 March 2013

As the weekend drew nearer the weather forecast continued to change, added to that, a weekend in Norfolk didn't come off due to family illness, so we ended up with a last minute decision to try Stanwell. There was more surface water everywhere after more rain so we opted for a line of nets behind the flashes to try for Lapwing, Snipe and any pipits that just might happen by. We put up just three more nets near the lake.

Throughout the morning, a Cetti's Warbler was singing from foliage lining the River Colne. We also saw the Bittern again, our first Little Ringed Plover of the year and a Jack Snipe was flushed from the flooded meadow.

The field nets failed to produce any birds whatsoever. However, the other nets gave some interesting captures. We were surprised to capture 3 Chiffchaff, one of which carried ring, BG6593, issued through the Belgian ringing scheme.

 Belgian Chiffchaff BG6593

One of the other Chiffs was carrying fat scored as 2 unlike the other two that were F0 M1.

Reed Bunting Y335471 (4M) was coming into breeding plumage, yet had CP. He was first ringed as a 5M  on 23rd May 2012.

Totals:
Dunnock - 0 - (1)
Blackbird - 2
Chiffchaff - 2 (1)
Goldcrest - 1
Great Tit - 2
Long-tailed Tit - 1 (1)
Lesser Redpoll - 2
Reed Bunting- 0 (1)

Stanwell Moor - 5 March 2013

As the afternoon was fine and warm, we decided to give Stanwell a try our first run out apart from some garden activity for a while. The main aim was to set up around the pool in the flooded meadow in the hope of catching possibly one or two of the Lapwings in the area. We also set up around the usual ringing area, were we managed only a re-trap Great Tit. Unfortunately the meadow failed to produce any Lapwing, but a Snipe feather in one of the nets hinted at the one that got away.

Totals: 0 (1)

Great Tit - 0 (1)