Lamsdell Bird Ringing and Wildlife Blog: Stanwell Moor GP

Friday, 24 July 2020

Stanwell Moor GP - 22nd July 2020

A 6am start for the second day running due to favourable wind conditions. This turned into a Sparr day for us, that's not to say we went on to a relaxing retreat for facials and a massage, but that we actually caught a Sparrowhawk (that is a rare occurrence in itself) and then a second. We have never caught two Sparrowhawks on the same day in the UK, and it brought back memories of autumns spent at Gedser, Denmark.

We made good use of the newly cleared area that had been covered with buddleia debris and easily fitted two 18m nets here. It's a ride we'll definitely use again.

There were 60+ birds in all and we were especially pleased with the Sparrowhawks, Reed Warblers and a House Martin.

Male Sparrowhawk, age 5

House Martin adult

Female Sparrowhawk, age 5

Totals: 64 (5)

Sparrowhawk - 2
House Martin - 1
Blackbird - 2
Dunnock - 3
Robin - 3
Reed Warbler - 6
Whitethroat - 12 (1)
Garden Warbler - 7
Blackcap - 13 (1)
Willow Warbler - 1
Chiffchaff - 2
Long-tailed Tit - 6
Blue Tit - 4
Great Tit - 1 (1)
Greenfinch - 1

About us

Chris and Denise Lamsdell

We have both been birders for about 40 years based in South Bucks near the West London reservoir complexes.

Since September 2021 we have been based in North Norfolk. We have done our bit of twitching in the past, but with other priorities this has become a much reduced activity with a preference for seeing new birds where ever our travels take us.

We both have been ringing since 2005. Our local group was the Runnymede RG while based in Buckinghamshire. Since moving to Norfolk we have started a new group called The Iceni Bird Monitoring Group, aimed at increasing public engagement through colour ringing projects on Black-headed Gull, Turnstone and Lapwing. We ring at several sites including Sculthorpe Moor, Sandringham Estate, Deepdale Farm and also monitor bird populations for the Norfolk Rivers Trust. We do ringing at home and support with foreign projects when opportunities allow. Chris also has an interest in Butterflies and Dragonflies and contains his limited photographic skill to them.