Ornithologist's Blog - Mike Rogers
Mike brings us up-to-date with bird activity on the Northmoor Trust Estate during the winter/spring months.
Winter/Spring 2007 - 2008
There have been plenty of unusual sightings this season - up to 4 ravens have been seen on the reserve together with merlin and great grey shrike. Over 60 siskins have been ringed along with large numbers of brambling and redpoll in the area.
Unfortunately there have been no sign this year of red kites or goshawk at their rest sites.
As we moved into April, a large influx of chiffchaff were seen, and a week later were followed by willow warblers, blackcap and swallows.
There were good views of buzzards displaying over the firs, a fantastic sight, but the ‘sighting of the month’ was definitely the common crane seen flying over the wood.
If you visit the wood now, I’m afraid you’ve just missed the woodcocks, but might hear the little grebe with its very distinctive call.
As the weather warmed up towards the end of April, so the birds moved back to their breeding sites. We had an excellent turn out on our spring ‘summer Migrants’ and ‘Dawn Chorus’ bird walks. It was an early start for the May Day dawn chorus event and visitors were rewarded with good views of blackcaps, blackbirds and song thrush but it was the robin’s song that dominated the dawn chorus.
You can now listen to some of the birds found on our estate in the Habitats & Species: Birds section of the website.
There have been masses of bats about, mainly Pippistrelle and daubenton's bat, but other calls have been recorded as well.
The big roost at the manor will be monitored again this year, over 200 bats were present last year.
The first Constant Effort Site (CES) ringing visit has been carried out with chiffchaffs and blackcaps featured strongly.
Summer Bat Walks
Learn more about the bats on the Northmoor Trust Estate at our bat walks on Friday 8th and 15th August. Adults £4, Friends and Children Free. To book your place call 01865 407792
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