Ringing at Watermead.

The first ringing session at the reed bed at Watermead resulted in 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap and 2 Reedbuntings. There was no sign of any Reed or Sedge warblers, but they will be with us soon. It was nice to see 2 Grassnakes basking in the April sunshine.

Quack Quack

If a situation presents itself you've got to at least give it a go.
This is what I thought when a pair of Mallard started coming to my pond last week, at least twice daily. They looked as if they'd made it 'home'. So my whoosh was reassembled and a bit of duck food put out for good measure. At first they were a bit cautious but they soon got used to seeing the whoosh set.
Well on Sunday, I eventually managed to get the Female and today I got the Male.
For my efforts it left me with a present all down my jumper! but never mind eh, it'll wash.

Warblers

A brief ringing session this morning at Thornton resulted in a male and female Blackcap and a Chiffchaff being caught. The latter had been rung as a juvenile last July and has returned to its natal area. It is always pleasing when birds return to the area in which they were reared. This demonstrates a continuity and that the area fits their requirements.