Sutton Bonington, Sunday 10 April

Gary, Sue and I made the final visit of the ‘winter’ to Sutton Bonington this morning. We started in sub-zero conditions with a good frost, clear skies and just a light breeze. The bright sun was showing the nets up from the start and catching was quite slow throughout the morning plus the breeze picked up as the morning progressed.

We ended with a total of 15 birds including 7 retraps. The species totals were (new/retrap): Blackbird 1/0, Song Thrush 0/1, Goldcrest 1/0, Dunnock 0/4, Chaffinch 0/1, Yellowhammer 1/0, Reed Bunting 2/1, Greenfinch 1/0, Great Tit 2/0. The retraps were all recently ringed birds.

There were at least 4 Buzzards around and a Sparrowhawk but the Chiffchaffs that were singing last week were silent or had moved on. We took the nets down a little early to give us time to dismantle the feeders and clear the site, until we return in the autumn.


Kev

site photos by S. Lakeman