We were disappointed that none of the darvic marked birds from previous winters on Staines Moor do not appear to have returned, but there have been some other interesting reports of our birds.
The first resighting of any of this year's birds was on Staines Moor on the 8th of the month when 6A was seen on the same flash where we had caught and marked it on the 3rd.
Another ringed bird was reported from Staines Reservoir on the 27th. A partial ring number '132' was visible from the photo taken by Dave Carlssen. Chris and I ringed two Water Pipits in November 2016 that had these three digits at the centre of the ring number. We are unable to identify which bird, if indeed it is one of the two so no firm resighting can be recorded.
Then another image was taken on March 29th by Paul Lewis. This time the bird has a darvic and it is easily identifiable as 4A ringed 6th December 2020.
It's no surprise that the Water Pipits are leaving the moor to feed at the reservoir. It is usual for millions of flies to hatch out in the spring where ducks and gulls can be seen gorging on the insects as they emerge. Those that manage to take to the air will provide food for Swifts, Swallows and Martins later in the month.
