Back from my visitations and trying to catch some birds for ringing once more. We have managed to get in 7 short, early morning sessions since last time, but only one of these has been at the meadows, the rest in the garden. This has involved between 60-130 ft. of netting that was open for about 25 hours in total. Last week the local riding school held gymkhana training for the young ladies, including using the stream/fords. Unfortunately a pony had to be put down (shot) and consequently the other horses have been allowed out of that enclosure to roam; we don't like mixing horses that have free access and our nets - for both our safety's sakes. This is why we only use the site for half a year or less.
Things seem to have dried up, or, at least, come to a temporary stop bird-wise. There are plenty of birds down the eastern side of England but little over here, excepting the usual hot-spots. DJO, a visiting friend, and former county recorder for 14 years, picked up a pair of Ravens over the garden early one morning and spotted a migrating Hobby on another evening. We regularly attract 23-31 species of bird to the garden each week [GBW survey figures]; the garden list currently stands at 77 in or over after just 38 months.
The last Chiff caught was a week ago and the three Blackcaps have been 5 days apart. Nevertheless, we have managed to trap 15 species (one new), to ring 33 birds and recapture a further 14. This is similar to the two previous year - 42 of 16 (2011) and 31 of 10 (wet 2012) - when the predominate species were Chiff, Blackcap, Blue Tit and Blackbird. This year the mix is somewhat different.
Woodpigeon 1 - one of the breeding pair
Green Woodpecker 1 - an un-sexable youngster, 2nd for the garden, 1st to be ringed here.
Blue Tit 2 (2) - this year's birds
Great Tit 5 (1) - 1 adult male in fresh plumage; all the youngsters were moulting tails
Things seem to have dried up, or, at least, come to a temporary stop bird-wise. There are plenty of birds down the eastern side of England but little over here, excepting the usual hot-spots. DJO, a visiting friend, and former county recorder for 14 years, picked up a pair of Ravens over the garden early one morning and spotted a migrating Hobby on another evening. We regularly attract 23-31 species of bird to the garden each week [GBW survey figures]; the garden list currently stands at 77 in or over after just 38 months.
The last Chiff caught was a week ago and the three Blackcaps have been 5 days apart. Nevertheless, we have managed to trap 15 species (one new), to ring 33 birds and recapture a further 14. This is similar to the two previous year - 42 of 16 (2011) and 31 of 10 (wet 2012) - when the predominate species were Chiff, Blackcap, Blue Tit and Blackbird. This year the mix is somewhat different.
Woodpigeon 1 - one of the breeding pair
Green Woodpecker 1 - an un-sexable youngster, 2nd for the garden, 1st to be ringed here.
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| Juvenile Green Woodpecker [sexable once the malar stripe appears at the end of their partial (or post juvenile) moult] |
Blue Tit 2 (2) - this year's birds
Great Tit 5 (1) - 1 adult male in fresh plumage; all the youngsters were moulting tails
Coal Tit 1 - first post-juvenile of the year
Long-tailed Tit (2) - returnees from the previous post
Chiffchaff 2 - both in the early stages of PJ moult
Blackcap 3 - 2 females in PJ moult and a sub-adult male
Wren (2) - "our male" (moulting) and a juvenile
Blackbird (1) - ringed as a 1J
Robin 1 (2) - 2x 3JP's and our resident female (in her 3rd year)
The adults have finished their moult but the juveniles are mostly about half way through their partial moult, as can be seen right now by the red breast but with a speckled head.
Dunnock 2 (2) - a male, a new female & 2 juvs
House Sparrow 1 (1) - both female, one at least 3 years old
Greenfinch 7 - 6 juvs of equal sexes & a moulting adult female
Goldfinch 10 (1) - 6 young males & 4 females; r/t a 2011 male
Long-tailed Tit (2) - returnees from the previous post
Chiffchaff 2 - both in the early stages of PJ moult
Blackcap 3 - 2 females in PJ moult and a sub-adult male
Wren (2) - "our male" (moulting) and a juvenile
Blackbird (1) - ringed as a 1J
Robin 1 (2) - 2x 3JP's and our resident female (in her 3rd year)
The adults have finished their moult but the juveniles are mostly about half way through their partial moult, as can be seen right now by the red breast but with a speckled head.
Dunnock 2 (2) - a male, a new female & 2 juvs
House Sparrow 1 (1) - both female, one at least 3 years old
Greenfinch 7 - 6 juvs of equal sexes & a moulting adult female
Goldfinch 10 (1) - 6 young males & 4 females; r/t a 2011 male
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| Juvenile Robin undergoing post-juvenile moult |
We trust that the weather patterns will be in our favour soon. Previous Septembers have proved to be good for catching Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Meadow Pipit and Goldfinch [in that order as the month progresses]. The next three weeks will make all the difference.
Where have all the Blue Tits gone?
Where have all the Blue Tits gone?
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