Some more ringing

Just the weekend this week. I returned from holiday to bright, warm sunshine and a good breeze. Still, it didn't stop me catching a few birds, most of them early on in the day. I was hoping to catch a few Phylloscs but the weather was too fair. Apparently, last Saturday was the big day hereabouts; neighbour John caught 11 new Chiffs and 34 Willies! I did manage a couple of P.trochilus though



The buds and blossom on the apples are developing fast, so it was no wonder that I trapped a pair of Budfinches.




Early doors on Saturday, I trapped my fattest yet, 2CY, male Blackcap with a weight of 21.6g [ESF 40, M2]; only one female 'browncap' was caught.



So, I ended up with 47 birds as follows:
Blue Tit 1 (3)
Great Tit 2
Willow Warbler 2
Blackcap 7 - mostly 2CY males
Wren (1)
Blackbird 2 (2)
Robin 1 (2)
House Sparrow 2
Chaffinch 2
Greenfinch 4 (3)
Goldfinch 10 (1)
Bullfinch 2

It is very useful being able to ring in our good-sized garden (old part of the orchard). Between coffees, I need just 12 minutes to unfurl all 5 nets (170' or 51m). What's more, I can keep an eye on them from my study.
I notice that the Sycamore is in full leaf, even if a bit limp yet, and the Alder and Elm have a 'green flush', while the Ash is coming into flower. The Speckled Woods are doing their dance in the dappled sunshine beneath the apple trees, which the hoverflies are busy pollinating.

Some hols

I have been away in NW Norfolk for the last week, ostensibly to bring the caravan back. I did manage some bird-watching - by taking the dog for a walk mornings and evenings around the Coastal Park - and clocked up over 70 species. A brief ringing session on the Sunday with Trevor Girling produced just 2 birds, a Chiff and a Wren.


I did manage to find the first Ring Ouzel early one morning (Sat 2nd), but missed the Gropper found by David Roche on the 5th.

Jenny has had a caravan here for many years and it was sad to leave and become just a "tourist pitch".


It was handy for the beach, dog walks and birding, not forgetting Hunstanton.


We were up there one day during high tide and the Turnstones, about 40 of them, were all feeding on the grass beside the road.


Whilst there, we had the obligatory dinner dates with old family friends, where the wine flowed. Next door is "Sandies", the local pub. Sandie was born in Luton Hoo and worked on the caravan site before taking over the pub.



The coastal park and the inner sea wall was were Jen and I first went for a walk after we had known each other for about a month (on the internet). We will always think of PFG, pink-footed geese, when remembering the area since the fields hold many after dusk; in fact, there were 250 there this week and they might remain for another 6-7 weeks yet before the last migrate north.


One historic event was about to happen; the flood siren was disconnected and siren itself was due to be 'recycled' and the post removed.


Another milestone - but will the new electronic notice boards that replace the siren be as effective? Will everybody ensconced in their 'vans/chalets be aware of the notice on the inner sea-wall if they don't venture out?

200 up

... in eleven weeks and now is the time for a break from ringing for a few days. That's my girl! The 200th Goldfinch (this year) appeared in the last net as I was taking them in before a short holiday. Just as well you have to open a furled net to gather it up into the bag! A record shot of X105900 below.

A reasonable couple of days this week with 25, now 26, new birds ringed and 10 re-traps.
Blue Tit 2 (1)
Great Tit 1
Chiffchaff 4
Willow Warbler 3
Blackcap 1
Wren (1)
Robin (2)
Dunnock 1 (1)
House Sparrow 2
Chaffinch 1 (1)
Greenfinch 3 (1) + 1 local control
Goldfinch 7 (2)
Siskin 1

Two decent sightings this week - a Peg high-over west from the garden (more usual to see it on the south side of the village) and a Kingfisher carrying a fish away from the Doniford Stream, presumably to "the wife or kids" somewhere upstream.

The first non-wintering Chiff was caught on the 13th, the first non-wintering Blackcap (see below) was caught on the 22nd (our female is still present), and the first Willow Warbler on the 27th.

I positively expect the garden to have changed appearance when I get back - the daffs and primroses are at their best now and the blossom on the fruit trees is only just emerging. Here's to some more beautiful sunrises and equally fortuitous catches in the early morning stillness.

Sunrise over the Quantocks yesterday.

Evens

A day with a good deal of retraps today, and 14 birds all told. Half were retraps, something I'm not used to as yet.

Blue Tit (1)
Chiff 1
Willow Warbler 2, both males
Robin (2)
Wren (1)
Chaffinch 1 (1)
Goldfinch 3 (2)


This was the first recapture of the tit, the 2 Robins were ringed on the first day, both having been caught 8 times now (this year). The male of the pair of Chaffinches was first ringed 70 days ago and the cock Wren not until the end of January, since when I have recaught him twice in a week.

The apple trees are beginning to blossom and turn light green. That should help disguise the nets!

Follow me on Twitter - @cardewellis - no, I can spell; it's a pun!

One of the Goldfinches (the latest, no.196) was carrying alot of fat [ESF 45]; it weighed 21.2 grams and made straight for the feeders on release. Obviously still on its travels.
I've told Phil it's on it's way. [310 km N] Ever the optimist!

Some migrants

Rubbish pic of male Willow Warbler caught first thing on Sunday.

A bitty week when I have had other commitments. This didn't really affect the ringing as there was little movement of the "target species" - i.e. the birds that come through the garden. I don't think I've much chance of catching Linnet, Sand Martin, Meadow Pipit or Wheatear in the orchard, all of which are pushing through the area at the moment.


Another new species for the garden - 5M/2CY Bullfinch.

A second Willy followed soon after the first. A male Blackcap on passage was trapped on Tuesday and a new female on Sunday; the "winter resident" female was re=trapped on Friday. All of these migrants were in good condition (fat & muscle scores).

The 38 birds ringed this week (and 10 re-traps)were:
Great Tit 2 (1)
Chiffchaff 1
Willow Warbler 2
Blackcap 2 (1)
Wren (1)
Blackbird 3
Robin (1)
Dunnock (1)
House Sparrow 1 (2)
Chaffinch 1 + 1 new fem. with 'scaly leg' not ringed (2nd this year)
Brambling 3
Greenfinch 8 (3)
Goldfinch 14
Bullfinch 1

And for the railway buffs, a shot I took today of the oldest surviving GWR loco in private ownership [Cotswold Steam Group]. The Churchward designed 2-8-0 No.2807 emerged from the Swindon works in 1905 and had a working life of 58 years.