The weather forecast at 17:00hrs looked to be ok. We met at 20:15hrs and drove on to the common.
The lock on the gate had changed since this morning but we over came this. We arrived at the heath and set up two nets at about 21:00hrs against a back drop of gathering dark threatening clouds and with low flying woodcock making several passes over. A check of the rain radar showed rain coming in from the west at that time is was over Marlborough. We intended to start the audio at about 21:15 but it started to spot with rain and another check of the radar showed the coming downpour at Hungerford and it was raining by this time so we took the nets down, getting a little soaked in the process. Driving back off the common towards the gate we noticed a lapwing crouched down near the pools by 616. On closer investigation we saw a chick's head sticking out from under. With one staying by the car to watch, we ran towards the bird that took flight and two chick made a run for it before freezing in the foliage. We were directed to their approximate location and after some careful placing of feet eventually recognised the outline of both chicks against the ground cover. So what looked to be a disappointing evening turned into a bonus when two of us got to ring a new species.
JL, IW, JHW, GB
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| Slightly fuzzy photo of one of the Lapwing pulli ringed tonight. |
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