Yesterday on Ipsley Alders were two little egrets around the north pond, also good flocks of goldfinch, redpoll and siskin.

I spoke with Rob regarding the cattle - the TB test were all negative so that is good news - he is going to return the seven cows within the next couple of weeks.

There may be a problem with Blacksoils brook in so far as the culvert that goes under Alders Drive is blocked with rubbish washed down by melt water and recent rain - the brook has overflowed but only into the reserve so far as I can see. I will not be able to get to it until the first weekend in February - provided there is no heavy rain there should not be a problem.

Michael, Ipsley Alders

(Photo of Ipsley Alders by Tony Kelly)

Ringing at Ipsley

2009 was a really good year for ringing at the Trust's Ipsley Alders reserve, near Redditch. We ringed over 540 birds throughout the year.

We tried to target warblers more this year, and it seemed to work. We put some fat in holes drilled in logs to try and encourage other things.

Obviously blue tit pulli (chicks in the nest) are in the boxes, but we do seem to catch plenty - 2009 was very good in terms of fledging success.

We'd like to set up a winter feeding station and see if we could get a good sample of siskin (& maybe redpoll), but it's too expensive for us to provide all the food and pay for the ringing. We're looking at applying for a grant to cover food costs (nuts, sunflower hearts etc, not seed), so will have to wait and see.

Tony, Ispley Alders

(siskin image by Rosemary Winnall)