Fifty two species of bird and counting…. Dr Peter Richardson

The Club’s Wildlife Recording programme got off to a good start this season thanks to a dedicated band of naturalists sending in their records of birds, insects and other fascinating species spotted from the bankside. Along with a few sightings of otter and mink, members have spotted, identified and reported an impressive 52 bird species since the season started on the 16^th June. The lightening-blue bolts and whistles of breeding kingfisher pairs have been keeping us entertained along the Club stretches while we wait for the elusive bites, as well as hordes of very trusting and friendly Mandarin ducks and ducklings that seem to have done very well this year. Large flocks of Canada geese and goosanders were spotted on the water, while the skies were alive with sand martins and swifts. There are still many common species that should be on the list, so please do keep looking out for them and sending in your records. All bird records are submitted to the British Trust for Ornithology’s online BirdTrack portal. Many thanks to all those that are making this recording scheme happen, and please do get in touch with me, Peter Richardson, if you want to take part – peter.richardson@mcsuk.org

The full Club bird list reported to date is as follows: Arctic tern; Barn owl; Blackbird; Blackcap; Blue tit; Buzzard; Canada goose; Carrion Crow; Chaffinch; Chiffchaff; Cormorant; Garden warbler; Goldfinch; Goosander; Great tit; Green sandpiper; Grey wagtail; Heron; Herring Gull; House martin; House sparrow; Jackdaw; Jay; Kingfisher; Lesser black-backed gull; Little egret; Little owl; Long-tailed tit; Magpie; Mallard; Mandarin; Moorhen; Mute swan; Pied wagtail; Raven; Reed bunting; Reed warbler; Robin; Rook; Sand martin; Sedge warbler; Skylark; Song thrush; Sparrowhawk; Starling; Swallow; Swift; Tawny owl; Tufted duck; Willow warbler; Woodpigeon; Wren.