Christmas and New Year are destined to be the wettest for a while and the bird ringing has not been very good so far this holiday. We're already 25% down on numbers ringed compared to last year, my first at this location when I hadn't really got sorted out. We are also destined for some windy weather; last night ripped the fences down, pulled the guy anchors out, overturned the bird tables and amputated a few branches.
During the first four months of the year I caught 53% less birds than last year. This continued into the four months of the breeding season (May - Aug) with a slight improvement, just 52% down, thanks to a slightly positive May total. In part this was due to the fact that the water meadows were 'out of bounds' most of the time, thanks to the flooding. The final four months of the year really were a salvation, since the totals are 70% UP on last year, all of this taking place in our small orchard.
Mmmm. Whereas it used to be Blackcaps in East Anglia, it is "King Harry's" (Goldfinches) that dominate down here with me. Apart from the aforesaid and Chiffs (and passage Willies in spring), I hardly see a warbler down here. Those Welsh boys (Cardiff ringers, etc.) don't seem to pass any over the Bristol Channel! It's not that far!
Mmmm. A grab-it-while-you-can week; 14 species, 26 new birds plus 16 recaptures.
Wood Pigeon 1
Blue Tit 1 (2)
Great Tit (1)
Coal Tit 2 (3)
Long-tailed Tit (1)
Blackcap (1)
Blackbird 3
Robin (1)
Dunnock (1)
Chaffinch 4
Greenfinch 1
Goldfinch 12 (4)
Siskin 1
Bullfinch (2)
Mmmm. Maybe the last time we'll be able to get any ringing done before the close of 2012. When the wind drops, there is a hive of activity out there - but it's still raining. The only time it "shuts up" is after dusk / tea-time for a few hours - and then there aren't any birds - or many owls round here (few woods, loads of soggy sheep pasture) to nab!
Happy New Year to all you folks out there, whoever you are (I do know a few of you!).
May you enjoy your birding and/or your ringing over the next 12 months! I certainly intend to!
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| 6M (adult male) Bullfinch |
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| 3M (young male) Blackcap |
Mmmm. A grab-it-while-you-can week; 14 species, 26 new birds plus 16 recaptures.
Wood Pigeon 1
Blue Tit 1 (2)
Great Tit (1)
Coal Tit 2 (3)
Long-tailed Tit (1)
Blackcap (1)
Blackbird 3
Robin (1)
Dunnock (1)
Chaffinch 4
Greenfinch 1
Goldfinch 12 (4)
Siskin 1
Bullfinch (2)
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| 2 (6M) old male Long-tailed Tit (retrap) |
Happy New Year to all you folks out there, whoever you are (I do know a few of you!).
May you enjoy your birding and/or your ringing over the next 12 months! I certainly intend to!
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