Brackenhurst Ringing Demo, Wednesday 19 March

A very pleasant frosty start gave way to a warm and dry day. Students from the NTU
Brackenhurst campus arrived throughout the morning for a ringing demonstration. We showed
them the mist nets and explained how we catch birds, as well a how we collect data (age, sex,
moult, breeding condition, biometrics) and what that data is used for nationally. It was great to
chat with them about their interests in wildlife conservation, ecology, and habitat management.

The lack of new Blue Tits and Great Tits shows that the birds have already established their
territories, and that the birds inhabiting local territories have all been ringed. The oldest tits were
two ringed in 2021, making them at least 4 years old. We also retrapped a Goldcrest that was two
years old.

There were good numbers of Chiffchaffs passing through, and a tape lure for Chiffchaff in the
copse did well to attract them to the nets. We also saw winter thrushes moving overhead.

We caught a total of 45 birds (new/retrap): Yellowhammer 18/2, Dunnock 2/3, Blackbird 2/0,
Long-tailed Tit 1/0, Chiffchaff 5/0, Blue Tit 0/6, Great Tit 0/5, Goldcrest 0/1.

Holly

Brackenhurst dawn (H. James)

Yellowhammer (H. James)

 

2024 Report

The 2024 SNRG Report is now published and available. If you would like a copy, please email the address at the top of the 'Reports' page - see tab at the top.

 

Allestree Park Bird Boxes – Friday 28 February

As part of the continuing bird monitoring at Allestree Park Rewilding, I had organised for the
inclusion of nest boxes on the site. On Friday, I met up with Jim and Sandra to install eight large nest boxes targetting birds of prey. These included two for Barn Owls, two for Kestrels and four for Tawny Owls. It may be too late for them to be used this year, but their longevity will hopefully allow increased nesting opportunities for these birds in the future. Monitoring these boxes will provide insights into predators around the park. The implementation of this project would not have been possible without the generous funding from Derby City Council, and Jim for constructing the boxes.

Josh

 

Brackenhurst - Sunday 2 March

A session at the Brackenhurst feeders on Sunday produced 45 birds. Yellowhammer was the most numerous species, and the catch included a male (pictured below) originally ringed in March 2020 as a 5. A flock of 4 House Sparrow were the first ringed on site since 2022.

The catch breakdown was as follows (new/retrap): Yellowhammer 16/1, House Sparrow 4/0, Dunnock 0/5, Blackbird 1/0, Blue Tit 3/6, Robin 0/2 and Great Tit 0/7.

Rowan