This morning I had a Black tailed Godwit over Longis Reserve, the bird then landed in Longis Bay. Currently thought to be a rare migrant here, it is probably under recorded. I had not realised until seeing and hearing this bird today how close the call is to that of Lapwing. Also in Longis Bay were 2 Whimbrel, 6 Curlew and 5 Black headed Gulls. Longis Common was very busy this morning with passerines; flocks of juvenile Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Linnets, House Sparrows and Meadow Pipits all in good numbers pointing towards a good breeding season for these species thus far. The flock of Starlings on the reserve is increasing, there being about 120 roosting beside the pond this morning. A Heron and 2 Little Egrets passed over the Obs this afternoon.
Ringing on Longis reserve was again busy with a further 59 new birds ringed. The most common species were Whitethroat and Reed Warbler, mostly consisting of recently fledged juveniles. Though I struggled to find the funny side this morning, it has certainly amused others since that our makeshift outdoor ringing camp was invaded by a cow who proceeded to eat the rings strings and rings. All told I only lost a few rings and it was rather comical. The data input for 5 rings will subsequently simply read ‘ eaten by a cow’.