The Forge Nature Reserve is a privately owned reserve just on the Derbyshire side of the county boundary at Ironville. Seven of us were joined by volunteers from the Cromford Canal and Codnor Park Reservoir Group and the Forge Nature Reserve to carry out a bird ringing demonstration on the reserve.
Following several meetings and site visits, two quieter areas of the large site were identified where we could erect two lines of nets which would be close to a suitable area for our base.
All the birds caught were taken to our ringing base where groups of interested visitors waited to see the birds and the ringing process.
The morning started well, considering how quiet the site seemed, with around 24 birds in the first catch. These birds were ringed, data gathered and then shown to the enthusiastic visitors before being released.
As is often the case, this was the best catch of the day with numbers dwindling as the morning progressed. Luckily we always caught something to show the 20 or so visitors throughout the morning.
We packed up around 11:30, the warm temperatures also influencing this decision.
In total we ringed 60 birds, comprising: 13 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 2 Wren, 1 Garden Warbler, 4 Robin, 8 Blue Tit, 10 Great Tit, 1 Bullfinch, 9 Blackcap, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Woodpigeon.
So, a great morning and a reasonably good catch on a site we have never operated at before.
Many thanks to everyone who attended but particular thanks must go to Sally Fisher, for allowing us onto her reserve, and to members of the Cromford Canal and Codnor Park Reservoir Group for publicising the event, organising the visitors and opening the gates!
Hopefully further studies can be undertaken on the birds using The Forge Nature Reserve.
We would very much like to thank the Cromford Canal and Codnor Park Reservoir Group for their generous donation.
Mick P & Kev
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| Demo base (KJH) |
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