A busy week

 

May 11th – 15th



As above, last week regarding Peregrines has been eventful to say the least for Shaun, Paul and myself, its not often that all the accessible ringing pairs lay, and then hatch close together, this year they did.

We ringed/swabbed at no less than 5 peregrine sites, Monday (1), Wednesday (1), Thursday (1) and Friday(2), all London, London East and Essex.

A total of 19 chicks were BTO ringed with both metal and a white plastic colour ring by the boys, then followed up by DNA swabbing to combat wildlife crime. To touch on this DNA is being taken all over the UK Peregrine sites, to combat the illegal trade in taking wild chicks, the DNA will prove origins.

As per last year, I am also collecting Peregrine Pellets to be sent off for analysis via BTO, this is to see how much plastic is now getting in the food chain, also starting this year for Barn Owls.

Brood numbers were as follows, 3-4-3-4 and a fantastic brood of 5, the 5 very memorable with a very feisty adult female who refused to leave the box.

All went very well and good to catch up again with April, Tianna and Caroline who I used to work with at The Ecology Consultancy, now a different company as I understand it.

Lastly, a big well done to my buddy Lee on ringing his first Peregrine chick as a trainee, impressed.

                           Paul, myself and April at one of the sites - beard and hair nets a must!

                                 Our white colour rings - hopefully many sightings in the future