Common Terns - heading home

The first returning Common Terns were reported in southern England today. 

We have been colour ringing chicks at Watermead Country Park Leicestershire since 2014 and the first of these birds are likely to be heading home this spring. 

Colour rings are Lime/ Pale Green with a black code and on the birds left leg. The codes UO1 to U37 were fitted on birds in 2014 and will hopefully be the ones returning this summer. The 2015 birds have codes U38 to U66 and these should start returning in 2017.

Please report any sightings through European colour-ring Birding http://www.cr-birding.org/node/2640

Ringing demonstration

On Saturday 20th February Chris and I ran a ringing demonstration at Charnwood Lodge as part of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife - Wildlife Watch Family Event - Wildlife Experience - Up Close with...Birds.

A number of families pre-booked and came along. The kids were great; very enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

The Wildlife Trust web site has a great video taken by one of the parents when a Coal Tit was released. It just about sums up the joy of birds.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1076809102340095&id=118523798168635