Sutton Bonington, Friday 25 March

A glorious sunny morning dawned as Duncan, Gary, Sue and I made a Good Friday visit to Sutton Bonington. There was a slight breeze and we started with the temperature at just 4 celsius, but it soon warmed up with the virtually cloudless sky. Catching was quite slow throughout the morning, the sun shining on the nets playing a large part in that.

We ended with a total of 22 birds including 14 retraps. The species totals were (new/retrap): Dunnock 1/1, Goldfinch 1/0, Yellowhammer 3/6, Reed Bunting 1/1, Robin 0/3, Great Tit 2/1, Long-tailed Tit 0/2. The retraps were all recently ringed birds.

As at the last visit there were at least 3 Buzzards around (which did not impress the Lapwings in the field!) and a few small parties of Fieldfares passing overhead. No warblers yet but spring is definitely here as there was frog spawn in the pond and a toad walked past the ringing base.

Kev

 Toad (S. Lakeman)