Wednesday, 28 December 2016
News of Professor Nabegh
I suspect like many of you, the pile of bird magazines and journals tends to back up and as a result I've only just picked up the September issue of the BirdLife International magazine. Entitled 'The War Issue' it features a whole host of interviews with conservationists working in war zones. And who should stare out at me from the very first piece? Our very own Nabegh! I've quickly photographed the pages and uploaded them below. If you click on them you should just about be able to read them. It's a fantastic piece and great to hear more of Nabegh's other life.
Tuesday, 20 December 2016
A week at Sutton Bonington
We have spent four mornings ringing at Sutton Bonington between last Sunday to this Sunday. The weather has been good for mist netting throughout, but far too warm to draw birds into the feeders so we ended with very few birds to show for our efforts. The week went as follows:
Sunday 11th - Sue, Duncan, Gary and I netted the usual feeding site. The sky was overcast and only a slight breeze blowing but it was far from cold. It was obvious from the start that there were not many birds around and we ended with a catch of just 12 birds including 4 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Wren 1/0, Robin 1/1, Blackbird 2/0, Great Tit 1/0, Blue Tit 1/0, Long-tailed Tit 0/3, Goldcrest 1/0, Chaffinch 1/0. The oldest retraps were from last winter.
Tuesday 13th – The first of two morning sessions working with Kate, Sophia and Lucy from York University on the antimicrobial resistance project. Gary, Kate and Lucy set nets in the arboretum area whilst Duncan, Sophia and I headed to the dairy farm. It was a very overcast morning with a slight breeze and the odd spot of drizzle. This time both sites had got full feeders to catch around but the mild weather meant the birds were not exactly queuing to get to them. At the dairy farm we ended with just 5 birds including 2 retraps. Gary and his team did rather better at the arboretum with 20 birds including 2 retraps and a new Nuthatch. Grand totals for the day made up of (new/retrap): Robin 2/1, Song Thrush 1/0, Blackbird 4/0, Great Tit 6/0, Blue Tit 3/2, Nuthatch 1/0, Goldcrest 2/1, Bullfinch 2/0. The retraps were all recently ringed birds. Kate and her team then treated us to lunch at the local pub.
Wednesday 14th – Duncan, Gary, Kate, Sophia, Lucy and I set nets in the sewage treatment plant, a site that the group used to use about 30 years ago. I was a little apprehensive about what we might catch as the outside temperature showing on my car as I set off from home at 0630 was +10degC. This apprehension was not eased as we took our first walk around the site in the half light and watched a bat flying around! We set 10 nets around the site including covering 2 sets of feeders but the catching was very slow. The wagtails were all feeding in the surrounding fields and there were no Starlings or corvids coming into the site. We did have a couple of Goldcrest around the base so we put up a hand supported net, mp3 etc. and caught those easily. The rest of the nets were just not producing much and with the sun coming out there were insects everywhere. We ended with catch of just 12 birds all new, made up of: Robin 2, Blackbird 1, Great Tit 3, Blue Tit 2, Goldcrest 2, Chaffinch 1 and a single Green Woodpecker. As I drove home in the sunshine it was 13 degrees.
Sunday 18th - Sue, Duncan, Alex, Gary and I netted the usual feeding site. Again the sky was overcast and there was no breeze at all, it was about 2 degrees when we started. Little was around again and we ended with a catch of just 16 birds including 12 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Wren 0/1, Robin 1/1, Dunnock 1/0, Blackbird 1/0, Great Tit 1/2, Blue Tit 1/1, Long-tailed Tit 0/4, Goldfinch 0/1, Chaffinch 1/0. The oldest retraps were from last winter.
I guess we need some cold weather to improve the catch.
Kev
Sunday 11th - Sue, Duncan, Gary and I netted the usual feeding site. The sky was overcast and only a slight breeze blowing but it was far from cold. It was obvious from the start that there were not many birds around and we ended with a catch of just 12 birds including 4 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Wren 1/0, Robin 1/1, Blackbird 2/0, Great Tit 1/0, Blue Tit 1/0, Long-tailed Tit 0/3, Goldcrest 1/0, Chaffinch 1/0. The oldest retraps were from last winter.
Tuesday 13th – The first of two morning sessions working with Kate, Sophia and Lucy from York University on the antimicrobial resistance project. Gary, Kate and Lucy set nets in the arboretum area whilst Duncan, Sophia and I headed to the dairy farm. It was a very overcast morning with a slight breeze and the odd spot of drizzle. This time both sites had got full feeders to catch around but the mild weather meant the birds were not exactly queuing to get to them. At the dairy farm we ended with just 5 birds including 2 retraps. Gary and his team did rather better at the arboretum with 20 birds including 2 retraps and a new Nuthatch. Grand totals for the day made up of (new/retrap): Robin 2/1, Song Thrush 1/0, Blackbird 4/0, Great Tit 6/0, Blue Tit 3/2, Nuthatch 1/0, Goldcrest 2/1, Bullfinch 2/0. The retraps were all recently ringed birds. Kate and her team then treated us to lunch at the local pub.
Wednesday 14th – Duncan, Gary, Kate, Sophia, Lucy and I set nets in the sewage treatment plant, a site that the group used to use about 30 years ago. I was a little apprehensive about what we might catch as the outside temperature showing on my car as I set off from home at 0630 was +10degC. This apprehension was not eased as we took our first walk around the site in the half light and watched a bat flying around! We set 10 nets around the site including covering 2 sets of feeders but the catching was very slow. The wagtails were all feeding in the surrounding fields and there were no Starlings or corvids coming into the site. We did have a couple of Goldcrest around the base so we put up a hand supported net, mp3 etc. and caught those easily. The rest of the nets were just not producing much and with the sun coming out there were insects everywhere. We ended with catch of just 12 birds all new, made up of: Robin 2, Blackbird 1, Great Tit 3, Blue Tit 2, Goldcrest 2, Chaffinch 1 and a single Green Woodpecker. As I drove home in the sunshine it was 13 degrees.
Sunday 18th - Sue, Duncan, Alex, Gary and I netted the usual feeding site. Again the sky was overcast and there was no breeze at all, it was about 2 degrees when we started. Little was around again and we ended with a catch of just 16 birds including 12 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Wren 0/1, Robin 1/1, Dunnock 1/0, Blackbird 1/0, Great Tit 1/2, Blue Tit 1/1, Long-tailed Tit 0/4, Goldfinch 0/1, Chaffinch 1/0. The oldest retraps were from last winter.
I guess we need some cold weather to improve the catch.
Kev
Nuthatch (G. Goddard)
Wednesday, 14 December 2016
Recent recoveries
A number of Barn Owl recoveries have been coming through in the past couple of months. Howard Broughton of the Rushcliffe Barn Owl Project and SNRG has reported a few of the group's ringed birds, caught elsewhere in the county:
- A bird ringed at the nest in Gotham, in June 2014 was recaptured at a box in Ruddington this July.
- A bird ringed as a youngster in Screveton, in May 2014 was retrapped at Langar in September this year.
- A 1st year bird ringed at Greasley in May last year, was recaptured in Moorgreen in July.
- And a bird recaptured by Howard in Widmerpool this June, had been ringed two years previously, in June 2014 as a youngster, in Hickling.
Several other Barn Owl recoveries have come in:
- A bird ringed in Baston Fen, Lincolnshire in September 2014 was retrapped in Hockerton in June this year.
- A bird ringed as a chick at a box in Hoveringham, was found dead on the road in Lowdham in October this year, 4 months after it was ringed.
- A North Notts ringed bird has been retrapped in Kersall this August. It had originally been ringed as a youngster in June 2014.
- A bird ringed in 2011 in Muston is still going strong, retrapped this year in Denton.
- A bird found dead on the roads near Laxton, Newark at the end of November, had originally been ringed as an adult in Swinderby in May
- And finally, a bird ringed as a chick in Caunton in June 2014 has been found dead in the same village, earlier this month.
A few other recoveries have also come our way.
One of the Attenborough Grey Herons ringed as a chick in May last year, is still residing at the reserve, having been seen by SNRG member Pete Stanyon on site at the end of November.
A Cormorant ringed at the same site, in August this year, hasn't decided to stick around, and has been noted at Little Baddow in Essex.
More unfortunate road casualties - a Kestrel, ringed in Bassingfield, in May 2015, was found dead near Spalding in August, while a bird ringed as a chick at Brackenhurst in June 2014 was killed on the roads near Heanor. Both reasonable movements.
Two Sparrowhawks met a similar fate, with a bird ringed at the nest in Rempstone in July this year, being killed on the road at Stanford-on-soar on a few months later. Another one was killed on the roads near Sutton-in-Ashfield, having been ringed as a chick in Hucknall in June this year.
And finally, more interesting but still unfortunate for the bird in question, a Woodcock which was ringed as a 1st year bird in Watnall in November 2012, has been shot in Paj-de-calais, France. It met its end on the 27th November this year.
Tom
- A bird ringed at the nest in Gotham, in June 2014 was recaptured at a box in Ruddington this July.
- A bird ringed as a youngster in Screveton, in May 2014 was retrapped at Langar in September this year.
- A 1st year bird ringed at Greasley in May last year, was recaptured in Moorgreen in July.
- And a bird recaptured by Howard in Widmerpool this June, had been ringed two years previously, in June 2014 as a youngster, in Hickling.
Several other Barn Owl recoveries have come in:
- A bird ringed in Baston Fen, Lincolnshire in September 2014 was retrapped in Hockerton in June this year.
- A bird ringed as a chick at a box in Hoveringham, was found dead on the road in Lowdham in October this year, 4 months after it was ringed.
- A North Notts ringed bird has been retrapped in Kersall this August. It had originally been ringed as a youngster in June 2014.
- A bird ringed in 2011 in Muston is still going strong, retrapped this year in Denton.
- A bird found dead on the roads near Laxton, Newark at the end of November, had originally been ringed as an adult in Swinderby in May
- And finally, a bird ringed as a chick in Caunton in June 2014 has been found dead in the same village, earlier this month.
A few other recoveries have also come our way.
One of the Attenborough Grey Herons ringed as a chick in May last year, is still residing at the reserve, having been seen by SNRG member Pete Stanyon on site at the end of November.
A Cormorant ringed at the same site, in August this year, hasn't decided to stick around, and has been noted at Little Baddow in Essex.
More unfortunate road casualties - a Kestrel, ringed in Bassingfield, in May 2015, was found dead near Spalding in August, while a bird ringed as a chick at Brackenhurst in June 2014 was killed on the roads near Heanor. Both reasonable movements.
Two Sparrowhawks met a similar fate, with a bird ringed at the nest in Rempstone in July this year, being killed on the road at Stanford-on-soar on a few months later. Another one was killed on the roads near Sutton-in-Ashfield, having been ringed as a chick in Hucknall in June this year.
And finally, more interesting but still unfortunate for the bird in question, a Woodcock which was ringed as a 1st year bird in Watnall in November 2012, has been shot in Paj-de-calais, France. It met its end on the 27th November this year.
Tom
Monday, 5 December 2016
Sutton Bonington, Sunday 4 December
Sue, Esther, Alex, Duncan, Gary and I made another visit to the feeding site at Sutton Bonington today in calm netting conditions but with clear skies and a slight frost to start. Catching was slow but picked up a little when we put a 6m net in a new site. I had a quick look back at the November 2015 catches, we made 2 visits then and caught 33 Great and Blue Tit individuals. This year in 4 November visits we have only had 15 individuals and I guess that the poor breeding season tits have had is to blame.
We ended on 29 birds including 10 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Dunnock 1/0, Robin 0/2, Redwing 2/0, Blackbird 1/0, Great Tit 3/1, Blue Tit 2/3, Goldfinch 4/0, Greenfinch 1/0, Chaffinch 5/3, Reed Bunting 0/1. The oldest retraps were from last winter.
Kev
We ended on 29 birds including 10 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Dunnock 1/0, Robin 0/2, Redwing 2/0, Blackbird 1/0, Great Tit 3/1, Blue Tit 2/3, Goldfinch 4/0, Greenfinch 1/0, Chaffinch 5/3, Reed Bunting 0/1. The oldest retraps were from last winter.
Kev
A Chaffinch with a white cap! (A. Phillips)
Processing a Greenfinch and a frosty start (S. Lakeman)
Avian Influenza in Europe
The Avian Influenza risk level has been increased to medium. The strain of the virus currently circulating is H5N8 and the risk to public health is very low. However, the increase in risk level has altered Defra’s request for information on wild birds found dead.
If you find one or more dead swans, ducks, geese or gulls or five or more dead wild birds of other species, please report this to the Defra hotline: 03459 33 55 77.
The advice is not to handle sick or dead birds unless absolutely necessary.
If you find one or more dead swans, ducks, geese or gulls or five or more dead wild birds of other species, please report this to the Defra hotline: 03459 33 55 77.
The advice is not to handle sick or dead birds unless absolutely necessary.
Tuesday, 29 November 2016
Brackenhurst, Tuesday 29 November
Duncan and I, and new ringers Erin & Hannah, braved the first decent frost of the winter at Brackenhurst today, after first needing Simon’s help to check through Equine’s new Checkpoint Charlie (a cold war joke there geddit?).
We processed 43 birds, 29 of which were caught before 9:00am. The cold bought in some Yellowhammers and thrushes first thing. The star bird, by a country mile, was a young Mistle Thrush. Up to 2015, only 291 have ever been ringed in Nottinghamshire.
The oldest retraps were a Robin and Great Tit from 2013. Again, tit numbers were down. It was surprising we only caught adult Robins, but they do seem to turn up on cold mornings when maybe are looking for a sure source of food?
Totals as follows (new/retrap): Dunnock 1/1, Robin 0/4, Blackbird 6/0, Redwing 3/0, Mistle Thrush 1/0, Blue Tit 2/0, Great Tit 0/2, House Sparrow 3/0, Chaffinch 6/5, Yellowhammer 5/4.
Jim
We processed 43 birds, 29 of which were caught before 9:00am. The cold bought in some Yellowhammers and thrushes first thing. The star bird, by a country mile, was a young Mistle Thrush. Up to 2015, only 291 have ever been ringed in Nottinghamshire.
The oldest retraps were a Robin and Great Tit from 2013. Again, tit numbers were down. It was surprising we only caught adult Robins, but they do seem to turn up on cold mornings when maybe are looking for a sure source of food?
Totals as follows (new/retrap): Dunnock 1/1, Robin 0/4, Blackbird 6/0, Redwing 3/0, Mistle Thrush 1/0, Blue Tit 2/0, Great Tit 0/2, House Sparrow 3/0, Chaffinch 6/5, Yellowhammer 5/4.
Jim
Sunday, 27 November 2016
Sutton Bonington, Saturday 26 November
Sue, Gary and I made another visit to the feeding site at Sutton Bonington today in perfect netting conditions, still and overcast. Catching was steady with a peak as a Long-tailed Tit flock went into the nets but was not as good as we were hoping for given the conditions. We ended on 35 birds including 12 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Wren 2/0, Dunnock 0/3, Robin 0/1, Blackbird 2/0, Great Tit 1/2, Blue Tit 3/2, Long-tailed Tit 8/2, Goldcrest 1/0, Goldfinch 5/1, Chaffinch 1/0, Yellowhammer 0/1. The oldest retraps were from last winter.
Kev
Kev
Saturday, 19 November 2016
Sutton Bonington, Saturday 19 November
Sue, Gary and I made another visit to the feeding site at Sutton Bonington today. It was a relatively calm and sunny morning, we were hoping for a little more cloud as the nets at this site are quite exposed and the full sun undoubtedly affected the catch. It was nice to get the first Reed Bunting and Yellowhammers of the winter and to retrap one of the 13 Lesser Redpoll we ringed last winter.
We ended on 22 birds including 7 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Dunnock 1/2, Robin 0/1, Great Tit 1/1, Goldfinch 10/1, Lesser Redpoll 0/1, Chaffinch 0/1, Reed Bunting 1/0, Yellowhammer 2/0. The oldest retraps were from last winter.
Kev
We ended on 22 birds including 7 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Dunnock 1/2, Robin 0/1, Great Tit 1/1, Goldfinch 10/1, Lesser Redpoll 0/1, Chaffinch 0/1, Reed Bunting 1/0, Yellowhammer 2/0. The oldest retraps were from last winter.
Kev
Photos by Sue Lakeman
Thursday, 17 November 2016
Twite
For the last couple of years several members of SNRG have been fortunate enough to assist Jamie Dunning in his study of Twite. He has been catching and colour-ringing them in the Pennines, near Manchester, and in Derbyshire near Buxton. He has had several sightings providing some important information on their movements, longevity and how they mix between populations. One of the most recent sightings has been in Nottinghamshire, just North of Misterton. This is great news as not only are there very few sightings of Twite in Notts, but this one was actually ringed by Duncan at the Derbyshire site in September this year! Thanks to Caroline Smith, the observer, for the photos.
Mick P
Mick P
Monday, 14 November 2016
Sutton Bonington, Sunday 13 November
Duncan, Sue, Esther, Gary and I made the second visit of the winter to the feeding site at Sutton Bonington on Sunday. A still and sunny morning resulted in a better catch than last week but the site was still relatively quiet, bird wise.
We caught 25 birds including 6 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Great Spotted Woodpecker 1/0, Dunnock 2/1, Robin 1/3, Blue Tit 1/0, Great Tit 1/2, Goldfinch 9/0, Chaffinch 4/0. The oldest retraps were from last winter.
Kev
We caught 25 birds including 6 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Great Spotted Woodpecker 1/0, Dunnock 2/1, Robin 1/3, Blue Tit 1/0, Great Tit 1/2, Goldfinch 9/0, Chaffinch 4/0. The oldest retraps were from last winter.
Kev
(photos by S. Lakeman)
Tuesday, 8 November 2016
Brackenhurst, Tuesday 8 November
An okay start to the winter's ringing at Brackenhurst today on a nice frosty, clear and bright morning. Kev and I, plus new ringer Erin Cubitt, got down to the feeders before first light with the intention of netting some thrushes in Orwin's. This just about worked with one Redwing ringed.
We processed 22 birds, but nearly all of those were caught before 09:00am, and we took nets down at 11:00am. Still it was nice to catch up with Kev and meet Erin.
Totals were 22 birds (18 new/4 retrap): Dunnock 1/1, Robin 1/1, Redwing 1/0, Goldcrest 4/0, Long-tailed Tit 4/1, Great Tit 3/1, House Sparrow 1/0, Chaffinch 3/0.
No Blue Tits were caught, perhaps confirming their poor breeding season. The best of the retraps was a Great Tit captured for the 13th time since 2012 and a 2013 Robin. Star bird was a House Sparrow, because we are PIT tagging them as part of a NTU project, and it was the first to have its tag fitted.
Jim
We processed 22 birds, but nearly all of those were caught before 09:00am, and we took nets down at 11:00am. Still it was nice to catch up with Kev and meet Erin.
Totals were 22 birds (18 new/4 retrap): Dunnock 1/1, Robin 1/1, Redwing 1/0, Goldcrest 4/0, Long-tailed Tit 4/1, Great Tit 3/1, House Sparrow 1/0, Chaffinch 3/0.
No Blue Tits were caught, perhaps confirming their poor breeding season. The best of the retraps was a Great Tit captured for the 13th time since 2012 and a 2013 Robin. Star bird was a House Sparrow, because we are PIT tagging them as part of a NTU project, and it was the first to have its tag fitted.
Jim
Saturday, 5 November 2016
Sutton Bonington, Saturday 5 November
Duncan, Gary and I made the first visit of the winter to the feeding site at Sutton Bonington today. Having had a week of calm weather it was disappointing to see the forecast was for a relatively windy weekend and so it was, at least today. The breeze was increasing as we put the nets up and blowing leaves into them in large quantities. The site seemed quiet bird wise but the conditions really beat us and we took down early after spending quite a while extracting the leaves. We only caught 10 birds including 2 retraps new/retrap): Song Thrush 1/0, Dunnock 1/0, Robin 2/0, Blue Tit 0/1, Great Tit 1/1, Goldfinch 1/0, Chaffinch 2/0. The retraps were from last winter.
Kev
Kev
Thursday, 3 November 2016
British Dragonfly Society - Annual Meeting 2016
We've just been sent an open invitation to this meeting which is to be held on Saturday 19 November at Brackenhurst Campus, Nottingham Trent University, NG25 0QF.
There is a fantastic programme lined up with an introduction from the new President, Mike Dilger and a look at the Dragonflies of Nottinghamshire.
For the full programme, visit:
http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/sites/british-dragonflies.org.uk/files/docs/annual%20meeting_3.pdf
All are welcome and attendance is free of charge, although we are grateful for any donations received. Please share this opportunity and to find out more and to book, visit: http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/node/7027
There is a fantastic programme lined up with an introduction from the new President, Mike Dilger and a look at the Dragonflies of Nottinghamshire.
For the full programme, visit:
http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/sites/british-dragonflies.org.uk/files/docs/annual%20meeting_3.pdf
All are welcome and attendance is free of charge, although we are grateful for any donations received. Please share this opportunity and to find out more and to book, visit: http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/node/7027
Isle of May, 8-17 October
Earlier this year, Gary emailed with news of his intentions of a ringing expedition to the Isle of May in October. Having heard of previous trips taken by other group members, and with a particular interest in east coast autumn migration, I very quickly showed my interest. Several months passed slowly and eventually on a mild and clear Saturday morning, after a drive up with Linda Lowndes, a friend of SNRG, we met with our other group members, Roger Hughes and Sue Pollard to board the Osprey RIB to make the short crossing to the island.
Saturday 8th
We alighted at Kirkhaven, with a welcoming party of grey seals, Shags and Turnstones, and quickly caught up with the previous group coming off the island, who had experienced an excellent week, ringing over 1200 birds, including scarcities such as Blyth's Reed Warbler and Radde’s Warbler. There were still plenty of birds left over from the recent fall, mostly thrushes and Goldcrests, and we soon set nets and began to operate traps.
We had a successful first day and were kept very busy with Goldcrests in the mist nets. 125 new birds were ringed: Goldcrest 93, Blackbird 11, Robin 7, Song Thrush 5, Redwing 3, Blackcap 3, Chiffchaff 2, Wren 1. We also retrapped a Firecrest that had been ringed the previous week, and in the evening we watched 2 Short-eared Owls on the north plateau. Yellow-browed Warbler, Redstart and Wheatear were also seen.
Sunday 9th
Got up early to work the traps and as the wind was still relatively calm, we could open a few nets. The clear conditions meant that birds had obviously started to move out, noticeable as we made our way round the island, however we still had a very productive day, particularly in the afternoon when we mist-netted a good number of birds in the top garden.
107 new birds ringed: Goldcrest 32, Blackbird 18, Redwing 17, Song Thrush 15, Robin 7, Blackcap 6, Wren 4, Yellow-browed Warbler 3, Chiffchaff 3, Redpoll 1, Brambling 1. Obviously the 3 Yellow-browed Warblers were a highlight. These would be the last we’d see for the rest of the week, after obviously getting the last of the influx that the team had experienced the previous week, when they had ringed nearly 40! A Little Bunting was seen at Kirkhaven, and several woodcock were noted.
Monday 10th
A much quieter day, the winds had increased which meant that we could only really use the traps, and although the wind was still coming from the east, there weren’t really any new birds coming in and a lot of stuff had cleared out. However, in the evening, the warden David Steel, reported a Blyth’s Reed Warbler near one of the traps, so Gary and I went down to investigate. No Blyth's sadly, but we did get a Water Rail for our efforts. 4 Manx Shearwater noted.
42 new birds ringed: Goldcrest 22, Song Thrush 8, Blackbird 5, Redwing 2, Robin 1, Blackcap 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Chiffchaff 1, Water Rail 1.
Tuesday 11th
Another quiet day with few new birds noted. Too windy again for nets, so traps used for most of the day.
42 new birds ringed: Blackbird 19, Blackcap 6, Robin 5, Redwing 5, Song Thrush 4, Goldcrest 2, Chiffchaff 1.
Wednesday 12th
The day started quietly, with few new birds noted an only small numbers trapped in the morning. However after lunchtime, things picked up with a few arrivals being noted, with decent numbers of Goldcrest and Chiffchaff. Lighter winds allowed more sheltered nets to be opened, and the afternoon was quite productive.
114 new birds ringed: Goldcrest 38, Robin 21, Redwing 19, Blackbird 12, Song Thrush 6, Chiffchaff 6, Redpoll 5, Blackcap 2, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Ring Ouzel 1, Redstart 1, Brambling 1.
The highlight of the day was definitely the smart 1st year male Ring Ouzel, caught first thing in one of the traps. A number of redpoll were noted arriving early afternoon, including some Common Redpoll. Some of these were trapped in the evening, and it was interesting comparing the differences between them and the browner, smaller Lesser Redpolls. A couple of Wheatear were noted too, and another Water Rail which evaded capture in the Bain trap on several occasions!
Thursday 13th
A much busier day, new birds were seen throughout the day with a general influx of thrushes, Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs. Small flocks of Brambling and redpoll were also noted, and 3 Short-eared Owls were seen on the North Plateau. David Steel reported an Olive-backed Pipit in the same area, which I looked for, but couldn’t locate (several times…..)
111 new birds ringed: Robin 27, Blackbird 19, Song Thrush 18, Redwing 13, Goldcrest 13, Chiffchaff 12, Blackcap 4, Lesser Whitethroat 3, Wren 1, Lesser Redpoll 1.
Friday 14th
Heavy rain overnight, which continued until mid-morning, which meant traps couldn’t be operated until a bit later than usual. However the poor weather meant that there had been a fall of common migrants on the island, with lots of thrushes, Blackbirds and Robins as well as the ever-present Goldcrests!
Traps were worked all day, and nets were barely opened, but still a total of 201 new birds was achieved throughout the day. Blackbird 76, Robin 45, Blackcap 35, Song Thrush 18, Goldcrest 15, Redwing 5, Dunnock 2, Chiffchaff 2, Redpoll 2, Reed Warbler 1.
Catching so many Blackbirds was a highlight and sometimes the catching boxes in the traps were full of them! A Reed Warbler in one of the traps got pulses racing but was clearly a Eurasian Reewa. Definitely a good fall day though, and had we been able to open nets, we may have been a bit over-run!
There was plenty to see otherwise, with a decent passage of Skylark, an apparent influx of Blackcaps, flocks of Brambling, Snipe and Jack Snipe and a Great Grey Shrike in the top Garden at the end of the day. The Little Bunting was also noted, and David Steel once again saw the Olive-backed Pipit as well as a Dusky Warbler.
Saturday 15th
We were meant to depart today, but were told the previous afternoon that we wouldn’t be able to get off the island due to inclement weather so we had to stay put til Sunday. We awoke to heavy rain which stayed put til late morning, when Tom and Gary had had enough of sitting it out and decided to go birding. Tom went searching hopelessly for the OBP and Dusky Warbler, while Gary had other intentions. He came up trumps, as he came back to Low Light with two Woodcock from the Heligoland traps.
Ringing started properly from around midday and another excellent day was had with 129 new birds ringed: Blackbird 58, Blackcap 23, Robin 18, Song Thrush 11, Redwing 10, Woodcock 4, Dunnock 2, Goldcrest 1, Wren 1, Great Grey Shrike 1.
4 Woodcock throughout the day was a great experience, and was only a small sample of the 40+ that were seen across the island that day. The shrike was caught in the Bain trap shortly after midday and was a favourite amongst the group and what was presumably the same bird stayed with us til the last day. The poor weather had obviously delivered again as common migrants were still everywhere, especially Blackbirds, Blackcaps and robins. Big flocks of winter thrushes were noted coming in and over 150 Brambling were logged.
Sunday 16th
A day of mixed fortunes. We had packed up and cleaned the Low light and were ready to leave when we received a call from the boatmen saying that they were unable to come until Tuesday! We were all ready to go, but things are never straight forward on an island! Luckily Gary had provisioned enough food to keep us going and we were helped along by the ample emergency rations in the Low Light too.
Normal service was resumed and traps were driven once again in the afternoon with a steady trickle of birds throughout, and 57 new birds were ringed: Song Thrush 21, Blackbird 19, Redwing 8, Dunnock 4, Robin 4, Barred Warbler 1.
The Barred Warbler, a 1st year bird, was caught on the very last trap drive, and more than made up for the disappointment of not being able to get home. A Firecrest was also seen by Tom in the morning. We went for an evening wander round the island to see if we could see the Northern Lights which were forecast, but the cloudy sky put paid to that, but we spent the time wisely in getting an owl net up in the Top garden, as 2 Asio sp were seen to come in to roost.
Monday 17th.
Hopes were high for getting off the island today. In the meantime, Gary and Linda went to check the Owl nets and managed to flush a Long-eared owl successfully in the right direction. It made Linda’s week and was a truly beautiful bird to see so close. It must have been a good omen, as we received a visit later on from David, who brought the good news that we were being taken off the island that afternoon. We packed up, cleaned the Low Light and got off the island, but not before getting a soaking on the trip back in the RIB.
We all had an amazing week, with some new birds ringed and seen for some of the group. A total of 931 new birds were ringed in the time we were there. Had the wind been calmer, who knows what else we’d have managed in the mist-nets which largely stayed furled. Though, without the poor weather, would there have been as many birds anyway?
Thanks to Gary for his organisation and patience in scribing, and a special mention has to go to Sue for looking after us for the week too, it was much appreciated!
Tom
Saturday 8th
We alighted at Kirkhaven, with a welcoming party of grey seals, Shags and Turnstones, and quickly caught up with the previous group coming off the island, who had experienced an excellent week, ringing over 1200 birds, including scarcities such as Blyth's Reed Warbler and Radde’s Warbler. There were still plenty of birds left over from the recent fall, mostly thrushes and Goldcrests, and we soon set nets and began to operate traps.
We had a successful first day and were kept very busy with Goldcrests in the mist nets. 125 new birds were ringed: Goldcrest 93, Blackbird 11, Robin 7, Song Thrush 5, Redwing 3, Blackcap 3, Chiffchaff 2, Wren 1. We also retrapped a Firecrest that had been ringed the previous week, and in the evening we watched 2 Short-eared Owls on the north plateau. Yellow-browed Warbler, Redstart and Wheatear were also seen.
Sunday 9th
Got up early to work the traps and as the wind was still relatively calm, we could open a few nets. The clear conditions meant that birds had obviously started to move out, noticeable as we made our way round the island, however we still had a very productive day, particularly in the afternoon when we mist-netted a good number of birds in the top garden.
107 new birds ringed: Goldcrest 32, Blackbird 18, Redwing 17, Song Thrush 15, Robin 7, Blackcap 6, Wren 4, Yellow-browed Warbler 3, Chiffchaff 3, Redpoll 1, Brambling 1. Obviously the 3 Yellow-browed Warblers were a highlight. These would be the last we’d see for the rest of the week, after obviously getting the last of the influx that the team had experienced the previous week, when they had ringed nearly 40! A Little Bunting was seen at Kirkhaven, and several woodcock were noted.
Monday 10th
A much quieter day, the winds had increased which meant that we could only really use the traps, and although the wind was still coming from the east, there weren’t really any new birds coming in and a lot of stuff had cleared out. However, in the evening, the warden David Steel, reported a Blyth’s Reed Warbler near one of the traps, so Gary and I went down to investigate. No Blyth's sadly, but we did get a Water Rail for our efforts. 4 Manx Shearwater noted.
42 new birds ringed: Goldcrest 22, Song Thrush 8, Blackbird 5, Redwing 2, Robin 1, Blackcap 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Chiffchaff 1, Water Rail 1.
Tuesday 11th
Another quiet day with few new birds noted. Too windy again for nets, so traps used for most of the day.
42 new birds ringed: Blackbird 19, Blackcap 6, Robin 5, Redwing 5, Song Thrush 4, Goldcrest 2, Chiffchaff 1.
Wednesday 12th
The day started quietly, with few new birds noted an only small numbers trapped in the morning. However after lunchtime, things picked up with a few arrivals being noted, with decent numbers of Goldcrest and Chiffchaff. Lighter winds allowed more sheltered nets to be opened, and the afternoon was quite productive.
114 new birds ringed: Goldcrest 38, Robin 21, Redwing 19, Blackbird 12, Song Thrush 6, Chiffchaff 6, Redpoll 5, Blackcap 2, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Ring Ouzel 1, Redstart 1, Brambling 1.
The highlight of the day was definitely the smart 1st year male Ring Ouzel, caught first thing in one of the traps. A number of redpoll were noted arriving early afternoon, including some Common Redpoll. Some of these were trapped in the evening, and it was interesting comparing the differences between them and the browner, smaller Lesser Redpolls. A couple of Wheatear were noted too, and another Water Rail which evaded capture in the Bain trap on several occasions!
Thursday 13th
A much busier day, new birds were seen throughout the day with a general influx of thrushes, Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs. Small flocks of Brambling and redpoll were also noted, and 3 Short-eared Owls were seen on the North Plateau. David Steel reported an Olive-backed Pipit in the same area, which I looked for, but couldn’t locate (several times…..)
111 new birds ringed: Robin 27, Blackbird 19, Song Thrush 18, Redwing 13, Goldcrest 13, Chiffchaff 12, Blackcap 4, Lesser Whitethroat 3, Wren 1, Lesser Redpoll 1.
Friday 14th
Heavy rain overnight, which continued until mid-morning, which meant traps couldn’t be operated until a bit later than usual. However the poor weather meant that there had been a fall of common migrants on the island, with lots of thrushes, Blackbirds and Robins as well as the ever-present Goldcrests!
Traps were worked all day, and nets were barely opened, but still a total of 201 new birds was achieved throughout the day. Blackbird 76, Robin 45, Blackcap 35, Song Thrush 18, Goldcrest 15, Redwing 5, Dunnock 2, Chiffchaff 2, Redpoll 2, Reed Warbler 1.
Catching so many Blackbirds was a highlight and sometimes the catching boxes in the traps were full of them! A Reed Warbler in one of the traps got pulses racing but was clearly a Eurasian Reewa. Definitely a good fall day though, and had we been able to open nets, we may have been a bit over-run!
There was plenty to see otherwise, with a decent passage of Skylark, an apparent influx of Blackcaps, flocks of Brambling, Snipe and Jack Snipe and a Great Grey Shrike in the top Garden at the end of the day. The Little Bunting was also noted, and David Steel once again saw the Olive-backed Pipit as well as a Dusky Warbler.
Saturday 15th
We were meant to depart today, but were told the previous afternoon that we wouldn’t be able to get off the island due to inclement weather so we had to stay put til Sunday. We awoke to heavy rain which stayed put til late morning, when Tom and Gary had had enough of sitting it out and decided to go birding. Tom went searching hopelessly for the OBP and Dusky Warbler, while Gary had other intentions. He came up trumps, as he came back to Low Light with two Woodcock from the Heligoland traps.
Ringing started properly from around midday and another excellent day was had with 129 new birds ringed: Blackbird 58, Blackcap 23, Robin 18, Song Thrush 11, Redwing 10, Woodcock 4, Dunnock 2, Goldcrest 1, Wren 1, Great Grey Shrike 1.
4 Woodcock throughout the day was a great experience, and was only a small sample of the 40+ that were seen across the island that day. The shrike was caught in the Bain trap shortly after midday and was a favourite amongst the group and what was presumably the same bird stayed with us til the last day. The poor weather had obviously delivered again as common migrants were still everywhere, especially Blackbirds, Blackcaps and robins. Big flocks of winter thrushes were noted coming in and over 150 Brambling were logged.
Sunday 16th
A day of mixed fortunes. We had packed up and cleaned the Low light and were ready to leave when we received a call from the boatmen saying that they were unable to come until Tuesday! We were all ready to go, but things are never straight forward on an island! Luckily Gary had provisioned enough food to keep us going and we were helped along by the ample emergency rations in the Low Light too.
Normal service was resumed and traps were driven once again in the afternoon with a steady trickle of birds throughout, and 57 new birds were ringed: Song Thrush 21, Blackbird 19, Redwing 8, Dunnock 4, Robin 4, Barred Warbler 1.
The Barred Warbler, a 1st year bird, was caught on the very last trap drive, and more than made up for the disappointment of not being able to get home. A Firecrest was also seen by Tom in the morning. We went for an evening wander round the island to see if we could see the Northern Lights which were forecast, but the cloudy sky put paid to that, but we spent the time wisely in getting an owl net up in the Top garden, as 2 Asio sp were seen to come in to roost.
Monday 17th.
Hopes were high for getting off the island today. In the meantime, Gary and Linda went to check the Owl nets and managed to flush a Long-eared owl successfully in the right direction. It made Linda’s week and was a truly beautiful bird to see so close. It must have been a good omen, as we received a visit later on from David, who brought the good news that we were being taken off the island that afternoon. We packed up, cleaned the Low Light and got off the island, but not before getting a soaking on the trip back in the RIB.
We all had an amazing week, with some new birds ringed and seen for some of the group. A total of 931 new birds were ringed in the time we were there. Had the wind been calmer, who knows what else we’d have managed in the mist-nets which largely stayed furled. Though, without the poor weather, would there have been as many birds anyway?
Thanks to Gary for his organisation and patience in scribing, and a special mention has to go to Sue for looking after us for the week too, it was much appreciated!
Tom
Totals for the week:
Friday, 21 October 2016
Recent recoveries
A number of Barn Owl recoveries have come in recently. Two were unfortunate birds which were found dead or injured. One was found in Tithby near Cropwell Bishop in September, after having been ringed at the nest near Brock Hill in Leicestershire in June. The other was found with a broken pelvis at Rufford park in October, having been ringed nearby in Eakring in August.
Another bird ringed by us has been recovered by another group. Ringed as a 3 (a bird of the year) in Halam in August 2014, it was controlled 90km away in Warwickshire in June this year.
Several birds have also been controlled by us. A bird was caught in Flintham in July, having been ringed by another ringer in East Bridgford in June 2014. Jim also controlled one of his own birds from his Lincolnshire project with Adrian Blackburn - it was originally ringed in Spilsby in 2014 and was controlled in August in Kirklington.
And finally, the headline bird was one ringed in Scredington, Lincs that we controlled in Eaton, Leics in October. This bird had originally been ringed as a chick ten years ago, in June 2006.
A Tawny Owl recovery has come in too - a bird ringed in Girton in May 2015 was found dead on the road in the next village, North Scarle, in September this year.
In non-owl news, we have had a few decent recoveries, all related to birds found or ringed at Attenborough Nature Reserve.
A Sand Martin, controlled at the Attenborough colony in July this year, had originally been ringed in the large nature reserve of Etang de la Horre, in the Champagne region of France in the August of 2015. Coincidentally, 4 days previous to this bird being ringed, the French ringers controlled another Sand Martin at the same site, which had originally been ringed at Attenborough 2 months previously. It seems we're swapping Sand Martins...
A Common Tern ringed on the reserve as a chick in July 2013 was controlled by ringers at Seal Sands, Teesmouth in August this year.
And finally a Sedge Warbler, caught on a CES session back in May 2012, which was found with a Spanish ring, had originally been ringed in Northern Spain, at a site near Vitoria, Basque country in August 2011.
Tom
Another bird ringed by us has been recovered by another group. Ringed as a 3 (a bird of the year) in Halam in August 2014, it was controlled 90km away in Warwickshire in June this year.
Several birds have also been controlled by us. A bird was caught in Flintham in July, having been ringed by another ringer in East Bridgford in June 2014. Jim also controlled one of his own birds from his Lincolnshire project with Adrian Blackburn - it was originally ringed in Spilsby in 2014 and was controlled in August in Kirklington.
And finally, the headline bird was one ringed in Scredington, Lincs that we controlled in Eaton, Leics in October. This bird had originally been ringed as a chick ten years ago, in June 2006.
A Tawny Owl recovery has come in too - a bird ringed in Girton in May 2015 was found dead on the road in the next village, North Scarle, in September this year.
In non-owl news, we have had a few decent recoveries, all related to birds found or ringed at Attenborough Nature Reserve.
A Sand Martin, controlled at the Attenborough colony in July this year, had originally been ringed in the large nature reserve of Etang de la Horre, in the Champagne region of France in the August of 2015. Coincidentally, 4 days previous to this bird being ringed, the French ringers controlled another Sand Martin at the same site, which had originally been ringed at Attenborough 2 months previously. It seems we're swapping Sand Martins...
A Common Tern ringed on the reserve as a chick in July 2013 was controlled by ringers at Seal Sands, Teesmouth in August this year.
And finally a Sedge Warbler, caught on a CES session back in May 2012, which was found with a Spanish ring, had originally been ringed in Northern Spain, at a site near Vitoria, Basque country in August 2011.
Tom
Late Barn Owls
The season has been pretty good in the Vale of Belvoir this year. This brood of six was ringed on 26 September. Not only is this reasonably late, but it is late for such a big brood.
Jim
Jim
Sunday, 9 October 2016
Ramsdale Park Golf Centre, Sunday 9 October
Sue, Duncan and I made a visit to the golf club today and put up the usual 8 x 18m nets with mixed warbler and Redwing song on two MP3 players. The weather was clear and calm and we started catching quite well but as the sun got higher the catches dropped.
We finished on 38 birds including 4 retraps. The species totals were (new/recapture): Blackcap 1/0, Chiffchaff 4/0, Goldcrest 1/0, Wren 3/0, Dunnock 1/0, Robin 1/0, Blue Tit 1/2, Greenfinch 1/0, Bullfinch 4/1, Goldfinch 1/0, Pied Wagtail 1/0, Redwing 12/0, Blackbird 3/1.
The Pied Wagtail was a surprise, it hit the top shelf, when being chased by another bird, just above our heads as we were doing a net round. There were plenty of Redwing about but despite Yellow-browed Warblers being everywhere in the country at the moment none seemed to be at the golf club (but we did try playing a recording just in case). At the end of the session we removed all the poles and guys from the site.
Kev
We finished on 38 birds including 4 retraps. The species totals were (new/recapture): Blackcap 1/0, Chiffchaff 4/0, Goldcrest 1/0, Wren 3/0, Dunnock 1/0, Robin 1/0, Blue Tit 1/2, Greenfinch 1/0, Bullfinch 4/1, Goldfinch 1/0, Pied Wagtail 1/0, Redwing 12/0, Blackbird 3/1.
The Pied Wagtail was a surprise, it hit the top shelf, when being chased by another bird, just above our heads as we were doing a net round. There were plenty of Redwing about but despite Yellow-browed Warblers being everywhere in the country at the moment none seemed to be at the golf club (but we did try playing a recording just in case). At the end of the session we removed all the poles and guys from the site.
Kev
Pied Wagtail (S. Lakeman)
Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory, Friday 7 October
Kev, Duncan and I made the annual trip to Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory on Friday. We arrived at Gib at 06:45, just as dawn was breaking, perfect! After a quick coffee in the car park we made our way to the Observatory building to be met by George Gregory, the ringer in charge, appearing from behind the sand dunes. He had kindly arrived earlier and had opened all 23 nets, thanks George!
A quick briefing then a net round and then steady ringing till around lunch time when it slowed down. Following the previous few days of easterly winds and near perfect conditions on the day (after a brief shower) I guess we were expecting a busier day with a bit more variety, but a total of 105 new birds and 24 retraps left us happy.
The highlights of the day were a Ring Ouzel and a female Sparrowhawk which Duncan managed to get to before it escaped from the net. We also had a German ringed Robin which created a comedy sketch you just couldn't write!
Mick P
A quick briefing then a net round and then steady ringing till around lunch time when it slowed down. Following the previous few days of easterly winds and near perfect conditions on the day (after a brief shower) I guess we were expecting a busier day with a bit more variety, but a total of 105 new birds and 24 retraps left us happy.
The highlights of the day were a Ring Ouzel and a female Sparrowhawk which Duncan managed to get to before it escaped from the net. We also had a German ringed Robin which created a comedy sketch you just couldn't write!
Mick P
Monday, 3 October 2016
Holme Pierrepont, Sunday 2 October
Tom, Gary and I made a visit to the Grange
end of Holme Pierrepont today, with a view to removing all the poles and guys
from the site at the end of the session. The weather conditions were calm but
bright and the catch was steady throughout the morning.We had three mp3 players
on the go using mostly mixed warbler calls.
In total we ended with a catch of 41
including 10 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Kingfisher 1/0, Wren 1/2, Dunnock
3/0, Blackbird 0/1, Robin 1/2, Blackcap 3/0, Chiffchaff 6/0, Sedge Warbler 1/0,
Reed Warbler 3/0, Cetti’s Warbler 1/1, Blue Tit 1/0, Great Tit 1/1, Goldcrest
4/0, Long-tailed Tit 0/3, Bullfinch 2/0, Reed Bunting 3/0.
The oldest retrap was
a Cetti's Warbler from 2015. I was a little surprised to catch the Sedge Warbler
and Reed Warblers.
Kev
Kingfisher (T. Shields)
Thursday, 22 September 2016
Holme Pierrepont, Wednesday 21 September
Duncan and I made a visit to the Skylarks end of Holme Pierrepont today, setting just a few of the usual nets, with a view to removing all the poles and guys from the site at the end of the session if the catch was not exceptional.
The weather conditions were near perfect and catching started steadily but dropped of quite early despite two mp3 players trying to tempt them in. In total we ended with a catch of 44 including 5 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Dunnock 2/1, Robin 5/1, Blackcap 10/0, Chiffchaff 12/1, Reed Warbler 2/0, Blue Tit 1/0, Great Tit 2/0, Goldcrest 2/0, Long-tailed Tit 0/2, Goldfinch 1/0, Reed Bunting 2/0.
The oldest retrap was a Long-tailed Tit from 2014. The only surprise was catching a couple of Reed Warblers as we did not get any at this site 10 days ago. Other than Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, the warblers seem to have gone and Blackcaps are in much reduced numbers since the last visit. However Robin and Goldcrest were around in increased numbers, winter must be on its way!
Kev
The weather conditions were near perfect and catching started steadily but dropped of quite early despite two mp3 players trying to tempt them in. In total we ended with a catch of 44 including 5 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Dunnock 2/1, Robin 5/1, Blackcap 10/0, Chiffchaff 12/1, Reed Warbler 2/0, Blue Tit 1/0, Great Tit 2/0, Goldcrest 2/0, Long-tailed Tit 0/2, Goldfinch 1/0, Reed Bunting 2/0.
The oldest retrap was a Long-tailed Tit from 2014. The only surprise was catching a couple of Reed Warblers as we did not get any at this site 10 days ago. Other than Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, the warblers seem to have gone and Blackcaps are in much reduced numbers since the last visit. However Robin and Goldcrest were around in increased numbers, winter must be on its way!
Kev
Monday, 12 September 2016
Holme Pierrepont, Sunday 11 September
Sue, Duncan, Gary and I made a visit to the Skylarks end of Holme Pierrepont setting all the usual nets. The weather conditions were still but clear and this was reflected in the catch, which started very well but dropped off quickly as the sun got higher.
In total we ended with a catch of 73 including 15 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Song Thrush 1/0, Wren 3/1, Dunnock 1/0, Robin 1/1, Blackcap 28/4, Chiffchaff 11/2, Whitethroat 3/0, Lesser Whitethroat 2/0, Blue Tit 1/0, Great Tit 0/1, Tree Creeper 1/0, Long-tailed Tit 3/6, Bullfinch 1/0, Goldfinch 1/0, Reed Bunting 1/0.
The oldest retrap was a Blackcap from 2013, we had not previously caught this bird since ringing and it was the only adult warbler caught. The catch of warblers was very similar to that made at Ramsdale during the week.
Kev
In total we ended with a catch of 73 including 15 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Song Thrush 1/0, Wren 3/1, Dunnock 1/0, Robin 1/1, Blackcap 28/4, Chiffchaff 11/2, Whitethroat 3/0, Lesser Whitethroat 2/0, Blue Tit 1/0, Great Tit 0/1, Tree Creeper 1/0, Long-tailed Tit 3/6, Bullfinch 1/0, Goldfinch 1/0, Reed Bunting 1/0.
The oldest retrap was a Blackcap from 2013, we had not previously caught this bird since ringing and it was the only adult warbler caught. The catch of warblers was very similar to that made at Ramsdale during the week.
Kev
Thursday, 8 September 2016
Ramsdale Park, Wednesday 7 September
Mick P and I made a visit to Ramsdale setting the usual line of 8x18m nets. The conditions were perfect for mist netting and the nets soon started to fill with birds, catching continued steadily throughout the morning.
In total we ended with a catch of 87 including 6 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Blackbird 5/0, Song Thrush 1/0, Wren 4/0, Dunnock 3/0, Robin 3/1, Blackcap 30/4, Garden Warbler 1/0, Chiffchaff 10/0, Whitethroat 3/0, Blue Tit 8/0, Great Tit 2/0, Coal Tit 0/1, Long-tailed Tit 2/0, Bullfinch 6/0, Chaffinch 1/0, Linnet 2/0.
The retraps were all recently ringed birds. So the Willow Warblers seem to have gone and other than Blackcap and Chiffchaff, most of the other warblers seem to have moved on as well. The urge to head in a southerly direction was also shown by the small parties of Swallows that passed overhead on and off throughout the morning. Strangely a Tawny Owl was heard calling in the distance on and off throughout the morning.
Kev
In total we ended with a catch of 87 including 6 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Blackbird 5/0, Song Thrush 1/0, Wren 4/0, Dunnock 3/0, Robin 3/1, Blackcap 30/4, Garden Warbler 1/0, Chiffchaff 10/0, Whitethroat 3/0, Blue Tit 8/0, Great Tit 2/0, Coal Tit 0/1, Long-tailed Tit 2/0, Bullfinch 6/0, Chaffinch 1/0, Linnet 2/0.
The retraps were all recently ringed birds. So the Willow Warblers seem to have gone and other than Blackcap and Chiffchaff, most of the other warblers seem to have moved on as well. The urge to head in a southerly direction was also shown by the small parties of Swallows that passed overhead on and off throughout the morning. Strangely a Tawny Owl was heard calling in the distance on and off throughout the morning.
Kev
Wednesday, 31 August 2016
Recent Recoveries
Two Attenborough-born Common Terns have been
resighted by the same observer at Cropston Reservoir in Leicestershire.
The first was seen on 17 July and had originally been ringed in
June 2001. The second was seen a few weeks later on 4 August,
having originally been ringed in July 2013. This site is one of the
first large waterbodies directly south of ANR so would be the ideal
first stop on the birds' journey south to Africa.
A Cormorant ringed at Attenborough this April, has been resighted at Ogston reservoir on the 14 August.
Another Mute Swan has been controlled by Sorby Breck ringing group at one of their sites near Ilkeston. This one had been ringed in Cossall in 2010, and was recaptured in June this year.
A Tawny Owl ringed as an adult in Owthrope in April 2014 has was found dead on the roads in nearby Cotgrave on the 1 August.
A Greenfinch caught at the farmland feeding site at Sutton Bonington in December last year was caught by a cat nearby in the village on the 4 July.
A Lesser Redpoll, ringed at Bestwood in October last year has been controlled by ringers near Fleetwood, Lancashire, in May this year.
Tom
A Cormorant ringed at Attenborough this April, has been resighted at Ogston reservoir on the 14 August.
Another Mute Swan has been controlled by Sorby Breck ringing group at one of their sites near Ilkeston. This one had been ringed in Cossall in 2010, and was recaptured in June this year.
A Tawny Owl ringed as an adult in Owthrope in April 2014 has was found dead on the roads in nearby Cotgrave on the 1 August.
A Greenfinch caught at the farmland feeding site at Sutton Bonington in December last year was caught by a cat nearby in the village on the 4 July.
A Lesser Redpoll, ringed at Bestwood in October last year has been controlled by ringers near Fleetwood, Lancashire, in May this year.
Tom
Monday, 29 August 2016
Holme Pierrepont, Sunday 28 August
Gary, Duncan, Sue, Tom and I ran another ringing session at the Blott’s end of Holme Pierrepont. It had been difficult picking the best day to go as the forecast had been changing by the hour in the preceding days but based on the day that suited most people and with fingers crossed for the weather we went for Sunday.
As it turned out the weather was perfect for netting, at least to start, with overcast skies and no wind. We set 10 nets in the usual places and extracted 35 birds on the way back to the base after putting up the last couple of nets! Catching remained brisk but we always had a wary eye on the, mostly, very dark skies. At around 1100 we did have a few spots of rain and with the breeze picking up a little we opted not to ride our luck any further and took down.
We ended with an excellent catch of 124 including 17 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Blackbird 1/0, Song Thrush 1/0, Wren 0/2, Dunnock 2/1, Robin 8/1, Blackcap 30/1, Garden Warbler 1/0, Whitethroat 6/0, Lesser Whitethroat 2/0, Chiffchaff 22/4, Willow Warbler 2/0, Reed Warbler 13/0, Blue Tit 2/2, Great Tit 3/0, Long-tailed Tit 2/6, Bullfinch 1/0, Goldfinch 6/0, Reed Bunting 5/0. The oldest retrap was a Long-tailed Tit from 2012.
A little busy to see much overhead but Tom did spot a Bittern taking off from one of the reed beds.
Kev
As it turned out the weather was perfect for netting, at least to start, with overcast skies and no wind. We set 10 nets in the usual places and extracted 35 birds on the way back to the base after putting up the last couple of nets! Catching remained brisk but we always had a wary eye on the, mostly, very dark skies. At around 1100 we did have a few spots of rain and with the breeze picking up a little we opted not to ride our luck any further and took down.
We ended with an excellent catch of 124 including 17 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Blackbird 1/0, Song Thrush 1/0, Wren 0/2, Dunnock 2/1, Robin 8/1, Blackcap 30/1, Garden Warbler 1/0, Whitethroat 6/0, Lesser Whitethroat 2/0, Chiffchaff 22/4, Willow Warbler 2/0, Reed Warbler 13/0, Blue Tit 2/2, Great Tit 3/0, Long-tailed Tit 2/6, Bullfinch 1/0, Goldfinch 6/0, Reed Bunting 5/0. The oldest retrap was a Long-tailed Tit from 2012.
A little busy to see much overhead but Tom did spot a Bittern taking off from one of the reed beds.
Kev
adult Whitethroat (S. Lakeman)
Friday, 26 August 2016
Ramsdale Park, Tuesday 23 August
Duncan and I made another visit to Ramsdale, setting the usual line of 8x18m nets. The forecast was for a cloudy start but then sun and getting very hot. The cloud never appeared so we had clear skies from the start but thankfully very little wind. As the sun got higher it certainly got hotter and despite the catching rate starting well it died off quickly as the temperature climbed.
In total we ended with a catch of 45 including 3 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Blackbird 4/0, Wren 2/0, Dunnock 2/0, Robin 2/0, Blackcap 7/1, Garden Warbler 1/0, Chiffchaff 5/1, Willow Warbler 5/0, Whitethroat 4/1, Blue Tit 1/0, Great Tit 4/0, Bullfinch 5/0. The retraps were all recently ringed birds.
No surprises but still a high ratio of adults to juveniles being caught, including 4 of the 5 Willow Warblers! A Spotted Flycatcher decided to use the top of the trees at the lower end of the net line to catch flies from, great to see but a pity it didn’t drop a little lower.
Kev
In total we ended with a catch of 45 including 3 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Blackbird 4/0, Wren 2/0, Dunnock 2/0, Robin 2/0, Blackcap 7/1, Garden Warbler 1/0, Chiffchaff 5/1, Willow Warbler 5/0, Whitethroat 4/1, Blue Tit 1/0, Great Tit 4/0, Bullfinch 5/0. The retraps were all recently ringed birds.
No surprises but still a high ratio of adults to juveniles being caught, including 4 of the 5 Willow Warblers! A Spotted Flycatcher decided to use the top of the trees at the lower end of the net line to catch flies from, great to see but a pity it didn’t drop a little lower.
Kev
Monday, 22 August 2016
Holme Pierrepont, Sunday 21 August
Gary, Duncan, Sue and I held a ringing session at the Blott’s end of Holme Pierrepont today. We were also joined by Pete Leonard, it was good to do some ringing with him again. The forecast had again predicted strong winds and after Saturday’s battering I was not very optimistic about getting a decent catch. However, this time the forecast was wrong but in our favour, it was a little breezy to start and it did increase as the morning progressed but it was not as strong as forecast and with mostly overcast skies we did pretty well.
We ended with a catch of 81 including just 2 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Blackbird 2/1, Wren 1/1, Robin 2/0, Blackcap 16/0, Garden Warbler 5/0, Whitethroat 9/0, Lesser Whitethroat 4/0, Chiffchaff 9/0, Willow Warbler 5/0, Reed Warbler 11/0, Blue Tit 4/0, Great Tit 1/0, Long-tailed Tit 6/0, Bullfinch 3/0, Reed Bunting 1/0. The oldest retrap was a Blackbird from 2010 that we had not previously recaptured.
Three Swifts passed overhead and a quite a few hirundines. A couple of Oystercatchers and a Greenshank flew over and the Goldfinch flock visiting the thistle patches numbered well over 100 at times.
Kev
We ended with a catch of 81 including just 2 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Blackbird 2/1, Wren 1/1, Robin 2/0, Blackcap 16/0, Garden Warbler 5/0, Whitethroat 9/0, Lesser Whitethroat 4/0, Chiffchaff 9/0, Willow Warbler 5/0, Reed Warbler 11/0, Blue Tit 4/0, Great Tit 1/0, Long-tailed Tit 6/0, Bullfinch 3/0, Reed Bunting 1/0. The oldest retrap was a Blackbird from 2010 that we had not previously recaptured.
Three Swifts passed overhead and a quite a few hirundines. A couple of Oystercatchers and a Greenshank flew over and the Goldfinch flock visiting the thistle patches numbered well over 100 at times.
Kev
This Speckled Wood was one of very few butterflies that battled to get going in the cool conditions. (Sue Lakeman)
Monday, 15 August 2016
Ramsdale Park, Sunday 14 August
Jim, Sue, Duncan, Amelia and I made another visit to Ramsdale setting the usual line of 8x18m nets plus an extra 6x12m nets. Conditions were perfect, no wind and overcast overcast skies for all the session. Catching was steady all morning because of the conditions and we had a couple of surprise first captures at the site: a Reed Warbler and a Jay.
In total we ended with a catch of 101 including 5 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Blackbird 4/1, Wren 2/0, Robin 11/0, Reed Warbler 1/0, Blackcap 18/1, Garden Warbler 2/0, Chiffchaff 15/1, Willow Warbler 17/0, Whitethroat 11/1, Lesser Whitethroat 2/0, Blue Tit 3/0, Treecreeper 1/0, Bullfinch 5/0, Linnet 3/1, Jay 1/0.
The oldest retraps were last years birds, including a returning Chiffchaff. A good catch in perfect conditions but last year on the 11 August in not quite as good conditions Jim and I had a catch of 151 with just the 8x18m nets up!
Kev
In total we ended with a catch of 101 including 5 retraps, made up of (new/retrap): Blackbird 4/1, Wren 2/0, Robin 11/0, Reed Warbler 1/0, Blackcap 18/1, Garden Warbler 2/0, Chiffchaff 15/1, Willow Warbler 17/0, Whitethroat 11/1, Lesser Whitethroat 2/0, Blue Tit 3/0, Treecreeper 1/0, Bullfinch 5/0, Linnet 3/1, Jay 1/0.
The oldest retraps were last years birds, including a returning Chiffchaff. A good catch in perfect conditions but last year on the 11 August in not quite as good conditions Jim and I had a catch of 151 with just the 8x18m nets up!
Kev
Photos by Amelia Reddish
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