Granby, Sunday 3 February

Ian, David, Emma and I finally made a visit to Granby at the third time of asking. Not sure it was third time lucky as there were not that many birds around. Probably a combination of the milder weather and stiff winds, which calmed later and it was reasonably sheltered in the cutting.

For all that, the morning was steady with 47 birds processed, which gave an opportunity to have a good look at them. Great Tit and Chaffinch made up half the catch, with Yellowhammers thin on the ground and no Tree Sparrows. It was also useful to have some known age Dunnocks to look at and a juvenile female Greenfinch that had moulted its primaries. Majority of the retraps were from last two winters (including two Great Tits that were ringed in nest box nine along the track last year), but we also trapped a three year old Dunnock and a four year old female Great Tit that was found while cleaning out nest boxes.

Totals were (new/retrap): Blackbird 3/3, Robin 2/2, Dunnock 3/4, Blue Tit 0/2, Great Tit 1/11, Greenfinch 1/0, Chaffinch 11/0, Yellowhammer 4/0.

Other sightings included 2 Ravens, 2 Cormorants and a single Buzzard overhead.

Jim

Adult Dunnock (David Hodkinson)