Stanwell Moor ringing site - 30 September 2010

A quick visit this evening we managed another 16 Meadow Pipits, plus 3 Blue Tits, 2 Chiff-chaffs, a Reed Warbler and a Chaffinch, rounded off by 3 re-traps including a Meadow Pipit. Cetti's singing.

Stanwell Moor ringing site - 22 September 2010

Another evening visit tonight we managed to ring a further 21 Meadow Pipits, along with 8 Chiff-chaffs, and single Reed and Sedge Warblers, Linnet and Blue Tit, plus a couple of re-traps.

No Swallows were present tonight.

Stanwell Moor ringing site - 18 September 2010

Another afternoon/evening visit resulted in a further good Meadow Pipit catch with birds still coming into the shallow pools. Attempts to attract in any wandering Lapland Buntings have not succeeded. The catch comprised of Sparrowhawk (2, adult and juvenile males), Wren (1), Chiff-chaff (5), Linnet (1) and a further 52 new Meadow Pipits.

3 male Linnet

Next visit eagerly awaiting to see if the Meadow Pipit run continues.

Stanwell Moor ringing site - 16 September 2010

An evening visit with Vic and Emma Inzani resulted in 30 birds being caught, including a Meadow Pipit re-trap from the 12/9. New birds were singles of Wren, Blackcap and Goldfinch; plus 15 Swallows at roost and Meadow Pipits continuing with a further 11 caught in less than favourable conditions due to the wind making the nets in the open to bellow causing many just to bounce out.

Staines Reservoir - 15 September

A brief visit produced single of Black-necked Grebe, Hobby, Black Tern and Swift, plus 100s of hirundines. Where do they roost? Certainly not all at Stanwell Moor.

Stanwell Moor ringing site - 12 September 2010

A late afternoon/evening visit after lunch at the pub, was greeted by a few Meadow Pipits on the shallow pools by the roadside. So after setting up in the 'dell' for the hirundine roost (flushing a small unidentified wader as it disappear out of the narrow ride) we went back to the pools and put up a 100 + 60 in a V with Mipits flying around us.

Nets for Mipits

In a two hour period we did 38, with many more bouncing or not even going in. An unexpected bonus.

Meadow Pipit - below wing of a 3

In the 2 or so hour period in addition to the 38 Meadow Pipits we did Chiff-chaff (7), Sedge Warbler (2), Robin (2) Swallow (4, plus a re-trap), a Blue Tit and Blackcap, plus our second Cetti's for the autumn. A Wheatear was also on site.

Cetti's Warbler

Stanwell Moor ringing site - 8 September 2010

Tonight we managed to catch 6 Swallows and a Sand Martin at roost. About 30 odd birds had been present. Removal of the net over the water in front of the reeds which might have effected birds coming into roost may have assisted with a catch after a couple of negative evenings. Visit supplemented with a Reed Warbler and 4 Chiff-chaffs in an hour and 15 session.