The new bird hide for Longis nature reserve has arrived and good progress concerning removal of the existing hide has already been made thanks to the AWT volunteers. We received information from the Channel islands ringing scheme this week concerning one of the Belgian ringed Blackcaps processed by visiting ringers from Yorkshire last autumn. This female Blackcap was first ringed in Belgium at Sint Laureins on 08.09.16 before being recorded at our observatory 13 days later on 21.09.16 having travelled 437 km.
From the middle of the week we had strong North winds which brought a small increase in winter Thrushes, particularly Blackbirds. A female Sparrowhawk was hunting around the golf course 19th. 21st – Female Pochard still present at Crabby quarry where a pair of Stonechat adorned the fence posts. Mark Atkinson reported our first Lapwings of the year, 11 over Grand Val. 22nd – 1 Fieldfare in the Kennels garden was another addition to our annual list as was a Water Pipit (probably the same long staying individual) which showed well outside the Obs and on the golf course 4th green.
Ringing was possible this weekend, just a handful of birds were processed. These included our first Redwing of the year and a retrap over wintering Chiffchaff last ringed here at Essex Farm 31st October.
Chiffchaff – Longis reserve – photo ABO
1st winter Redwing – Essex Farm – photo ABO