Staines Moor & Broadwater GP - 28th March 2019

This morning we gave Staines Moor a try for Water Pipits. We were aware of at least four still around, including a metal ringed bird. We tried along the banks of the river and although birds flew over a few times, once alighting on the small bank side tree favoured by one individual, nothing would be drawn by the audio-lure. There werea couple of Little Egrets present, and three water Pipit seen.

Chris is now in the habit of bringing a couple of darvics and some stale bread and while looking to see if the regular pair (one of which we've darvic ringed earlier) were further up stream, they were not, a particularly precocious male came towards him and lumbered out, without the encouragement of food. He was easily caught up, and metal ring W41991 and darvic 4DHH fitted.

8M Mute Swan ringed and colour marked 28th March 2019

Chris was out again in the afternoon and while on his wanderings caught an adult female Mute Swan on Broadwater GP. The bird was already ringed with W25640. Darvic 4DHI was fitted. The BTO recovery report was through in a couple of days. The bird was ringed on January 1st 2009 at Norwood Green, Southall by Phil Belman and had not been recorded in the intervening time. Hopefully, sightings will be more frequent, now that she has the alpha numeric colour ring.

On the lake there was a single drake Goosander present, along with a pair of Mandarin, also a single singing Cetti's Warbler.