Back in the summer, when the days were longer, drier (marginally) and warmer (slightly!) we were once again at Welney Wildfowl and Wetland Trust Nature Reserve. That time we were ringing Tree Sparrow chicks. Battling through waist high nettles we opened each of the boxes that had been put up years before around the visitor centre and workshop, and ringed any broods we found.
Fast forward to February 2024 and we returned to try and catch the free flying birds that thronged in the bushes and on the feeders in front of the centre.
It’s quite the spectacular setting with the centre building towering above and the wet meadow of Lady Fen in front. A large pool of water with fields stretching to the horizon beyond. There must have been hundreds of Lapwing flying overhead, swirling around, settling and then lifting again in a restless dance. From out of sight, beyond the centre and the bank, the calls of Whooper Swans drifts over the morning air. A few fly overhead heading for the fields to feed. An impressive flock of 19 (!) Cattle Egret settled on the bank of the water in front.
The sun rose, breaking through the clouds, the sky clearing. Wigeon and Mallard pootle around on the water. A Marsh Harrier dances over the grasses, spooking the Lapwing once more.
The trees and bushes around the feeders were brimming with birds. Tree Sparrow, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Blue and Great Tit. It is these we were looking to catch, more specifically those Tree Sparrows. We were reasonably successful, catching 19 birds in a couple of hours, 12 of which were Tree Sparrows and yes one was already ringed.
We all immediately thought it was a chick ringed in one of the nest boxes last summer and didn’t really think any more of it. Back home and checking the database however revealed this bird had in fact been ringed at a site about 24 miles away. Just goes to show we shouldn’t make assumptions when it comes to nature and birds, and highlights the value of ringing!
Tree Sparrows. They are such beautiful birds. Chocolatey brown head and back, a striking black beak and bib and gorgeous black spot on a brilliant white cheek. It is always a pleasure to hold these stunning little birds in the hand.
Our morning at Welney finished as always with a trip over the bridge to have a sit in the main observatory and take a look at the expanse of water and its inhabitants. The water was high and the Whoopers had gone for the day, but there were plenty of ducks around, including the multitudes of male Pochard that are just as iconic as the swans for this site. Amongst them was the nice surprise of a male Scaup. Further off there were plenty of Wigeon, Pintail, Teal, Mallard, Shelduck and Coot.
Wild Barley 