CES 5

Flaming June failed to live up to its name first thing this morning and the bird ringers were pleased to have a hot cup of tea waiting for them as they arrived back from raising the nets.  It was good to see that many Great Tits, 36, ringed in the nest box have fledged successfully, despite the wet and cold weather.  Bullfinches were also in abundance.  Goldfinch are feeding from the Nyger feeders in the back garden and 12 adults were newly ringed.  No juveniles yet.

A rare catch for the garden net, was a juvenile Grey Wagtail.

The weather forecast kept changing with rain due to arrive at 12, but it did not.  Throughout the day it was dull, then sunny, warm and then cold, but we completed CES 5 before the rain came down.  Thank you to everyone who helped.

John was out and about first thing and spotted the Little Grebes having a fight!  The male Tufted Duck decided enough was enough and waded in to sort everyone out!  By mid morning it looked like a truce had been declared as the Tufted Duck and the Little Grebe sat quietly just a little way from each other. 

Spigot Mere has recently been visited by a Shelduck, today it was Little Ringed Plover, photographed by John, another new species for the reserve.

We are not the only species who use an umbrella, this soldier beetle was hiding under a leaf to escape the overnight downpour.