Turn-over

This week's blog stretches over both the old and the new years, and goes from the 364th day, last Saturday, round to the 4th (yesterday) of the current year. The weather, meantime has settled down, although the skies have remained 'grim' with a heavy overcast. As you can see in the side-bar, I ended the year on a measly 1224 new birds, added to by 517 recaptures of some of these birds and ones from the previous year and 10 of other peoples, although not from that far away (all to the west).

On day 1, after recapturing a 5F Blackbird of likely continental origin, and a 6F Goldcrest that's been hanging around since the summer, followed by a 5F Blackcap, another bird sent courtesy of the European Union, that seems to avoid the two others of the opposite sex, I finally got to put my first ring on a new bird.

Inevitably it was a first year King Harry (actually a Princess Harriet).

Voila!

No.1 and in the lead - Carduelis carduelis (5F)

14 species for the period, made up of 35 newly ringed birds and 17 doing the rounds for a second time or more. Lots of "young" birds.

Collared Dove (1) - a miracle! [they don't usually get caught twice!]

Goldcrest (2) - possible a pair bond

Blue Tit 1 (1)

Coal Tit (2)

Long-tailed Tit 6 - a third roving flock

Blackcap (2) - the two 'permanent' 2CY females

Wren (1) - ringed as an adult female, first winter period last year

Blackbird 6 (3) - surprise bird of the week; why?

Robin (1)

Chaffinch 5

Greenfinch 2 - both "1st years" (now 2CY)

Goldfinch 13 (3) - top spot again

Siskin 1 - a 5F

Bullfinch 1 (1) - another new male and a 2010 female

Checking through the Blackbirds' wing-lengths, the following is noticeable. There were two males with 'continental' lengths, 138 & 137 mm, and the other a northern UK or 'near continental' size of 134 mm, with which I was more familiar in East Anglia. There were two females with "long" wings, 136 & 134 mm, two 'intermediate' at 131 & 130 mm, and the final two with the more expected wing-length of 128 mm for local birds. Some of our local females are as short as 124 mm, so these last two were on the "big" side. All the new birds were rather "speckled" on the breast, i.e. with pale edges to the body feathers, suggestive of migratory birds.

The last couple of days have turned mild, temperatures at night being more reminiscent of January daytime figures (8-9 deg C). Whether this will inhibit birds from seeking out and using the feeders, time will tell. Some birds are striving to get into breeding condition and breeding plumage. At this time of year you're quite likely to "acquire" a few body feathers, especially from Dunnocks, as they go through a pre-nuptial moult. I sometimes wonder if these birds are not being a bit premature, but I suppose they'll survive.

My little helper ("Amber" - Lakeland x Border)

A very happy, fortunate and mega-birdy New Year to you from   Cardew Ellis