Early Start!

[Steve_JT]

Well, early start thought I, after the rain yesterday should be better digging. The rape stubble has not been disked so just the tramlines were doable, after 2 hours that felt like 4, only finds were an iron chain link, couple of bits of lead and a bird leg ring, ground was easier to dig though

I moved on to a barley stubble field that took me an hour of arm weakening swinging that felt like 3 hours, only finds there were a lead bullet, one button and bits of foil in the stiff stubble

I then went on to another field of sheep grazed turnips, easy swinging and digging spent 3 hours and all I had to show for that was an old harness ring and buckle with 2 buttons

So disheartened and tired with back aching, arm weakened swinging (the detector, not the other kind) I had had enough and headed home, the only highlight was a young Red Kite that came close, spent so long over me I watched it and never thought until too late to get a picture.

Got home, raided the biscuit tin, washed them down with some tea and hoping next jaunt will be much better, got to take the rough with the smooth I guess, I shall hit the Doom Bars later and check for any holes in my eyelids before a late dinner.

The Bird leg ring is marked with Middleton Museum Oxford 373, the only thing with any interest, cant find any info on it unless the name changed?



Regards Steve

[Easylife]

The Bird leg ring is marked with Middleton Museum Oxford 373, the only thing with any interest, can't find any info on it.

Probably just some bird that worked there?

You can't win 'em all.

[Oxgirl]

I’ve had a few days like that recently

Never heard of the Middleton Museum though

[Easylife]

The ring is from the study of wild birds, you should let the museum know where it was found. The British museum ornithology unit do that as well.

[Steve_JT]

The only reference to Middleton is a director of the museum in Oxford, he died in 1896
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Henry_Middleton
He was a director of the Fitzwilliam Museum and the Victoria & Albert museum
Some info on his wife here
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG59470
Wonder if he or surviving relatives kept pigeons? It’s the only link I can think of, if it was on a pigeon it may have been released south below where found on route to Oxford

Regards Steve

[Steve_JT]

The ring is from the study of wild birds, you should let the museum know where it was found. The British museum ornithology unit do that as well.

I will se if I can let them know

Regards Steve

[Blackadder43]

The "Oxfordshire museum" is listed under things to do at "Middleton Stoney" if that helps?
Things to do at Middleton Stoney

[figgis]

There seems to be a few of us having bad sessions, Steve. Mine yesterday was a total stinker, but all will be well once the stubble softens/is removed and we can get our coils down where they should be

[shaggybfc]

I'm on a run of finding just lead and buttons, lots of buttons, to the point I celebrate finding one with a pattern or without a broken loop. But I do know, where there's buttons, there'll be better finds if I persevere.
I'd have taken the slug and leg ring

[Littleboot]

Every year I gallop off into the newly cut stubble with pent-up enthusiasm and expectation. Every year I knock myself out stubble-surfing getting hot, trying to insert my spade into rock hard ground and having my wrists ache with the resist of the stubble making my coil bounce around. Sometimes i find good things but the usual story is a bit of a downer. I walked for 2 hours yesterday evening in a field I know still has stuff to give and found: a washer, an eyelet from a tarp, a wartime aluminium coin and a four hole button. It will improve after a drop of rain. Which will hopefully arrive before the ground gets aerated by the harrow.
Every year I tell myself to just hold off a bit. Every year, as soon as the combines drive off I am gripped with detecting fever and find myself standing in a field of stiff stalks with ankles that look as if they have been minced by a steak tenderizer.

[Bors]

Well, at the very least you did get out,which by the present goings on in the world can`t be such a bad thing. You stretched your pins thats the main thing. The Washer , tarp eyelet , button, and coin was the booby prizes for the effort .

[Easylife]

I'm on a run of finding just lead and buttons, lots of buttons.

Well at least you know that the field has been well fertilized!