Any way, back to the matter in hand. Nets set and a Kingfisher flew right over the nets in the half-light. Two thrushes 15 minutes before sunrise got me started. Then it was a lengthy period counting the Siskins going to and fro. Two of the four Little Egrets returned from the beach, no doubt moved on by early morning dog walkers at high tide (currently only 6m, so plenty of beach left exposed). A Water Rail squealed in the stream and later a Moorhen skittered off. Four Magpies flew across the field followed shortly after by one of the male Sparrowhawks. Two Grey Herons got up and moved to other fishing spots; the stream is still running high after the recent rains. [86mm in 10 days].
There were several small flocks of Siskins busy in the Alders, accompanied by some Chaffinches, but well above net height. Half an hour after sunrise, a mixed flock, mainly of tits, came my way. Eventually they reached the clump of willows, Alder and Hazel where the nets (N1) are situated. Out of this crowd I caught and ringed all my other captures bar one. An hour later I was surprised to find a fine male Siskin in the net, one that hadn't managed to follow his feeding party. The first of many this winter? I watched, hopefully, three different Chiffchaffs utilising the trees in this area. All were calling noisily but nothing would tempt them down to net level. As one of my favourite birds, I'll try for them another day soon.
Male Siskin, Nov 2011, Euring code 4.
All in all, 12 birds, and a good mix.
Goldcrest 1
Blue Tit (1)
Great Tit 1 (1)
Long-tailed Tit 1 (2)
Blackbird 1
Song Thrush 1
Robin 1
Goldfinch 1
Siskin 1
By 10am, the sun was very bright and the NW wind had picked up, not just blowing the nets but dumping lots of leaves into them as well. Pack up time!.
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