Over the years many Barn Owl nest boxes have been built and positioned around the valley, this morning the team headed out to check the boxes for eggs and chicks. For several years a pair has been known to nest at the old water tower, both adults were present when we arrived. We ringed the female but the male was already ringed, believed to have been done over ten years ago. In total 11 chicks were ringed this morning.
The Kestrel nest box at Bank Island was checked approximately four weeks ago when four eggs were found, this morning four chicks had hatched and were big enough to ring, the first ones for the reserve this year.
Following the recent numbers of waders around Wheldrake, nets were positioned across the water infront of Swantail Hide this evening with a view to catching Snipe and Redshank which have been seen along the waters’ edge for the past week. Whilst setting the nets four very tiny Lapwing chicks were found amongst the reeds, only just big enough to ring, and so too small for colour rings. Hopefully we’ll re-capture them in a few weeks when they are big enough! A few nets were also set along the boardwalk in the hope of a few warblers.
Total number of birds caught at Wheldrake this evening = 24
Blackbird 1
Chiffchaff 1
Great Tit 2
Lapwing 4
Redshank 6
Reed Warbler 5
Sedge Warbler 2
Snipe 1
Willow Warbler 2
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