Bird Ringing at LLNR 2015

Please find below a summary of the birds ringed during the calendar year 2015. Many thanks to Kenny Crammer who provided the figures for me to compile.

	New Ringing Total	Re-trap Total
Blackbird	4
Retraps		4
Blackcap	20
Retraps		2
Blue Tit	60
Retraps		92
Bullfinch	14
Retraps		1
Cettis Warbler	1
Retraps		0
Chiffchaff	16
Retraps		2
Chaffinch	5
Retraps		0
Dunnock	27
Retraps		18
Garden Warbler	5
Retraps		0
Gold crest	19
Retraps		7
Goldfinch	3
Retraps		0
Great Spotted Woodpecker	2
Retraps		2
Great Tit	45
Retraps		56
Green Woodpecker	2
Retraps		0
Kingfisher	7
Retraps		1
Lesser Redpoll	5
Retraps		1
Long tailed Tit	32
Retraps		19
Magpie	1
Retraps		0
Marsh Tit	0
Retraps		1
Meadow Pipit	5
Retraps		0
Redwing	9
Retraps		0
Reed Bunting	4
Retraps		0
Reed Warbler	4
Retraps		1
Robin	18
Retraps		4
Sand Martin	6
Retraps		1
Sedge Warbler	1
Retraps		0
Siskin	16
Retraps		0
Song Thrush	10
Retraps		0
Treecreeper	7
Retraps		2
Whitethroat	1
Retraps		0
Willow Warbler	2
Retraps		0
Wren	16
Retraps		6
Totals	367	220

Bird Ringing Presentation Wednesday 18th November 7.30pm

Just a quick reminder for anybody interested in: 

• learning about the reasons behind bird ringing, 
• the information and benefits to be gained from the data it provides 
• and the training  those involved must  undergo. 

Then Wednesday nights presentation by Kenny Crammer from the BTO 

is not to be missed. 

Kenny demonstrates the process of bird ringing to a small group at LLNR

Kenny has been ringing birds at LLNR for just over a year now and will be sharing his experiences with us at the Centre from 7.30pm until around 9pm.

A Meadow Pipit ready for release after ringing at LLNR

As always refreshments are available. We look forward to seeing you.

Open Sunday 18th October

Another well attended Open Sunday featured a visit from the local RSPB who set up a small information tent for the day and a guided walk followed by a fascinating talk by local fungi expert Justin Long.

Although Justin was a little pessimistic regarding our hopes of discovering much in the way of fungi around the reserve (apparently weather conditions have not been ideal) fortunately thanks to some young and very keen eyed fungi spotters quite a few species were observed.

Woodchip piles are it seems are a relatively new habitat in which mushrooms can be found, these particular examples could not be conclusively identified on the day.

Provided common sense is used there is no harm in picking a few fruit.

Including this rather magnificent Puffball, which Justin is demonstrating how it releases it's spores into the atmosphere.

From the large Puffball to this tiny "Poached Egg"

A miniature red capped shroom close to the path - maybe Hygrocybe coccinea, 

a waxcap grassland species

Rather frustratingly after Justin had departed we discovered a whole host of fungi around the raised pond - possibly Sulphur Tuft - Hypholoma fasciculate.

Many thanks to Justin for a vey entertaining and informative morning and for bringing so many samples for us to discover and learn about. Hopefully we will be able to persuade Justin back on future occasions. 

Another Successful Open Saturday

I'm happy to report that our Open Saturday on 5th September was a great success!!!

The weather was fine and dry, there were Grasshoppers and Crickets in abundance and we had willing and eager participants - even a little stridulating was noted as the afternoon warmed up! 

'Teacher' and 'Students' found 4 species of Orthoptera - add those to the 4 species that Simon found the previous day during his pre-gig reconnoitre and we now have a very decent site record as well as some satisfied customers!

Some folk with Simon in the Lab......

....and others out in the field with Sue.

So, a big thank you to Simon Bunker for your 120% input - the feedback has been terrific! 

Carol writes

'Just a quick note to say thank you for all concerned with the above event last weekend.

We spent a very enjoyable afternoon with Simon (who was very knowledgeable) and had great fun (and laughs) catching lots of specimens......I noticed that one of my photographs reminded me of the characters in ‘A Bugs Life’ and there were plenty of ‘characters’ for us to catch at the reserve and look at in detail....'

Our grateful thanks also to the rest of the Bunker family for their much needed help and valued support to run the Open Day (including baking delicious cake and making the wonderful book trolley!)

If you missed our Saturday Special this month, put the next Saturday event in your diary for October:

Saturday, 10th October

'A Bird Walk with Steph'

10.30am & 2.00pm  £1.00 per person 

 (Suitable clothing and footwear advised, and bring lunch if you'd like to stay all day...)

More info from michelewelborn@homecall.co.uk

Brush up on your ID skills, look and listen with experienced birder Steph Kimsey, who knows the Linford Lakes Nature Reserve very well from her time working here until recently as MKCouncil Education Officer. What will there be to see? Well, Winter Wildfowl will be on the water, and there could be Siskin, Redpoll, Redwing or Fieldfare  - and who knows what else - feeding in the trees on Alder, Hawthorn......

 .....and other plentiful berries such as Guelder Rose.

The Centre will be open from 10am until 4pm if you fancy a few hours in a magical place.  Come in and browse among the 2nd hand books, buy a hot drink from the Cafe, look at our crafts and cards, purchase bird food, and enjoy the view from the picture window and gallery. We'll have scopes set up, and a limited number of binoculars available if you don't have your own....

Don't forget  -

Open Sunday 20th September 10am - 4pm, and Work Party Sunday 4th October

 

 Michele :)