Mipits, Dabchicks and Insects

Wednesday, September 16th 2015

Ideal conditons to be back at the Crater this morning. Some of our bird ringers have visited Teeside to ring birds in amongst the heavy industry there. A real contrast to Foxglove Covert.

Teesside

The sunrise was different, but still spectacular.

Sunrise

Tony sent out this email

'We started at 0615 and closed at 1100. Brilliant weather!

Totals were Mipits X 213, Lesre X 2, Siski X 1, Goldf x 9. Two raptors got away! That is about 650 Mipits we have done now.

Thanks to all those who helped, and to Brian for baby sitting FGC. Much appreciated!'

Thanks also to Tony for organising the morning and bringing the considerable amount of 'kit' needed which includes nets and poles, speaker systems, rings, recording sheets and the many other oddments that just might be needed.

At Foxglove the Little Grebe parents were feeding their chicks. Yet again the camera pushed to its limit, (we must get the birds to come closer to the hide windows!) the adult had just fed this chick. With a bit of imagination you can see the fish in the chick's beak. It had struggled to get through the pond weed to reach its parent and was actually walking on the vegetation. When it found clear water it moved very quickly!

Adult Little Grebe and chick

This photograph was taken from the Wildfowl Platform and not only shows the Dabchick adult, probably the male? but also how clear the water in the lake is.

Dabchick

Although the air was cool, the sun was warm and some butterflies, like this Small Tortoiseshell, were enjoying feeding. Hemp Agrimony is still in flower and bees, hoverflies and butterflies all enjoy the food. Thistles provide food for birds like the Goldfinch.

Small Tortoiseshell on Hemp Agrimony with thistle seeds in the background

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Monday 20th May 2024 |

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