NBC Scotland Trip

Just a few shots from our long weekend in the Scottish Highlands.

Some of the group, Mountain Hare, Pine Marten, Red Grouse, Black-throated Diver, Osprey & Mistle Thrush.

Ringing recoveries

Hello

Eleanor was greeted with a hunting Barn Owl, two Yellow Wagtails and two Wheatears in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton first thing this morning...

Some recent ringing recoveries have come through from the BTO Ringing Unit and kindly disseminated by our local ringing secretary Nick Wood...

W24716 is a ring fixed on the leg of an adult Mute Swan on 5th April 2008 in Leicestershire. The ring was photographed by Cathy Ryden at Guilsborough Fish Ponds on 15th March 2017 where this bird is the male on territory. Cathy successfully photographed the ring on this bird at the same venue in 2015 so these small ponds are clearly his own back yard. This bird is at least eleven years old.

A male Fieldfare was caught and ringed at Pitsford Reservoir on 30th December 2011 (LC22169) and was sadly killed by hunters on or about 15th January 2017 at Trainou, Loiret, France. Although the simple distance between the two sites is 530km clearly this nomadic bird had travelled many thousands of km during its life.

On 28th July 2016 a young Blackbird was ringed by a Swedish ringer at Vanbo, Smedjebacken, Dalarnas Lan near Kopparberg. This bird turned up in a mist net at Milton Keynes Community Orchard on 20th February this year where it's gender was confirmed as a female. In 207 days this young migrant travelled a minimum of 1347km and probably wintered in Milton Keynes.

Yellowhammers are generally considered sedentary so when John Woollett caught and ringed a female at Astcote on 8th January 2015 and this bird was found dead in the village (believed to be a road casualty) on 17th March this year it wasn't particularly surprising. It is a shame that with small birds many of our recoveries are only recorded when they become a casualty.

Regards

Neil M

Mute Swan.

Fieldfare.

Blackbird.
Courtesy of Cathy Ryden.

Yellowhammer courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Images of spring in Northamptonshire

Hello

The pictures say it all!

Neil M

Kelmarsh Estate woodland,
images courtesy of Lynne
Barnett.

Tit nest and eggs in a Kelmarsh
nestbox, image courtesy of Lynne
Barnett.

Little Ringed Plover,
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Tree Sparrow, images
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Nestling Blackbirds,
image courtesy of Chris
Payne.

Drake Garganey at Hollowell
Reservoir, courtesy of
Cathy Ryden.

Snakes Head Fritillary
courtesy of Cathy Ryden.

Lady Smock, courtesy of
Cathy Ryden.

Male Bullfinch,
courtesy of Cathy Ryden.

Female Bullfinch,
image courtesy of
Cathy Ryden.

Greenfinch, courtesy
of Cathy Ryden.

Yellowhammer, image
courtesy of Cathy Ryden.

Marsh Tit, image
courtesy of Chris Payne.

Singing Dunnock, courtesy
of Robin Gossage.

Oystercatcher, image
courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Indoor Meeting 3rd May

Hello

On Wednesday 3rd May 2017 Rick and Elis Simpson will be providing an introductory presentation on 'Waderquest', a project for wading bird enthusiasts intent on raising the profile of wading birds and their protection.

The meeting will start at 7.30pm as usual, commencing with notices and an opportunity for a hot drink and biscuits. The venue will be The Fishing Lodge at Pitsford Reservoir, Brixworth Road, Holcot NN6 9SJ.

All welcome!

Neil McMahon

Greenshank

Sanderling and Oystercatchers.

Environmental issue at Milton Malsor/Blisworth

Hello

A plea in relation to a local environmental concern on the south side of Northampton...

My name is Brian Sumpton and I have been a RSPB volunteer for over 30 years.

I am currently working on wildlife issues for a group called stop rail central. I am sure many of your members will know about the proposals to site two massive Rail Freight Terminals near junctions 15 and 15A of the M1. If these go ahead almost 1,200 acres of farmland will be lost to wildlife. Whilst this area is not of major importance for birds it is classed as supporting habitat for the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits SPA. Notable birds include overwintering Golden Plover, (500+), Lapwings and Skylarks.

As a part of our fight to stop these proposals going ahead we have a petition that will go to the Secretary of State for Transport. Could I ask if your members would be prepared to sign a petition against this proposal at norailinterchange.co.uk

Andrea Leadsom our local MP and SoS for the Environment is supporting us.

Thank-you

Brian.