Buzzards

Saturday, June 13th 2015

The bird ringers have spent many nights out on the training area freezing and getting blown away when checking next boxes and looking for wader chicks.  One night last week, they left hats and scarves and thick coats in the landrovers, just in case.  Blue sky, sunshine and warm temperatures were just amazing!

Buzzard nests were on the agenda - and they don't always conveniently nest in accessible places as can be seen in the pictures below!

Steep hill looking for a Buzzard nest

Some are behind fences topped with barbed wire

Fence topped with barbed wire

and when there is no steep hill or fence to negotiate there are midges.

The light was changing and the temperature dropping so the coats left in the landrovers were needed as we approached the last nest.

As usual it was high in the top of a tall tree.  Sean, who has helped the bird ringers for the last 19 years, climbed  to the nest, but even he was not safe from the midges!

Climbing the tree

The nest could be seen from the ground and a fully zoomed photograph just shows one of the chicks taking an interest in the proceedings.

Buzzard chick in nest

Once the chicks had been placed in the bird bags and lowered to the ground they were ringed.  The scribe, busy taking photographs, delegated the task to Tony.  Hope he recorded eveything accurately!

Ringing the chicks

Carefully the chicks were returned to their nest and everyone made a hasty retreat from the midges!

A huge thank you to everyone who helped during the evening.  Nine fit and healthy chicks were safely ringed.


(0) Comments:

There are no comments for this blog post yet. Why not start the discussion? - use the form below:


Leave a Comment:

Please complete this field, it's required. Your email address will not be displayed but it's required.

Your email address will not be displayed but it's required.

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?


Back to Top

Help Support Foxglove

Friends of Foxglove

The Friends of Foxglove Covert is for those individuals, families and organisations who would like to support the reserve through an annual membership subscription. Friends receive a regular newsletter and invitations to attend our various activities and social events.

More Details

Upcoming Events


Reserve Access: Limited Access, Field Centre Closure

Monday 7th April 2025 |

The reserve access gate intercom and remote opening system is currently broken. Visitors will be provided fobs to open the gate. Due to the limited number of fobs available you may be turned away if you arrive when all fobs are in use.



Learn to Scythe with Steve Tomlin

Sunday 25th May 2025 | 10am

Learn how to scythe with the UK's leading scythe instructor, Steve Tomlin, at Foxglove Covert LNR!

A full day course with all kit provided which will “leave you enthused and confident to scythe efficiently and safely”.

For more information visit Steve's website stevetomlincrafts.co.uk.

To book your place visit Steve's eventbrite page.



VIEW ALL EVENTS

Recent Blog Posts

Blog Archive