What a difference a year makes

Below are the figures for new birds ringed in the first quarter of 2013 within the garden compared to the same period last year (in brackets). Mostest first. Major winners in green, losers in red (non-scientific)

Siskin 105 (6)
Goldfinch 96 (64)
Chaffinch 30 (8)
Greenfinch 21 (22)
Chiffchaff 19 (4)
Blackbird 12 (11)
Blackcap 11 (10)
Long-tailed Tit 7 (4)
Dunnock 6 (6)
Blue Tit 6 (12)
House Sparrow 4 (9)
Bullfinch 4 (8)
Collared Dove 3 (1)
Wren 3 (6)
Coal Tit 3 (0)
Great Tit 3 (7)
Brambling 3 (0) - but 52 in 2011
Woodpigeon 2 (1)
Robin 2 (5)
Song Thrush 2 (2)
Redwing 2 (10)
Pied Wagtail 1 (0)
Goldcrest 1 (1)
Magpie 1 (0)
Lesser Redpoll 1 (2)
Willow Warbler 0 (1)
Grey Wagtail 0 (1)
Total 348 (203)

A very lazy wind out there today, hence the post. Confined to the radiator.

Slow, slow, stop!

Not much of a week as it turned from "bland & cold" to "wintery & colder". On Friday, we copped the snow and it dumped between 3-4 cm of the wet stuff over the village during daylight. This turned into 14 mm of 'precipitation' in the rain guage. Everywhere is well and truly sodden at the moment and the grass turns to mud as you walk on it.

View from study (winter ringing room) am, Fri 18-01-13

I kept a couple of nets open - when I could attend to them - and finally ended up with 10 species, comprising 16 new and 14 'previous' for the 7-day slot. Fortunately, there was very little wind, although the coming days promise something different (stiff and cold easterlies).

Woodpigeon 1 - a big, fat (>600 gm) male

Great Tit (2)

Blackcap (2) - 1 of the males & 1 of the females of those 5 present daily

Blackbird 1 (2) - incl. a female not seen since last spring

Dunnock 1 (2) - another pair avoids the netting area

Chaffinch 3 (1) - at least 3 other unringed birds present

Greenfinch 2 (1)

Goldfinch 6 (2) - still they come!

Siskin 2 (1) 

Bullfinch (2) - and friends; probably eating the buds on our apple trees

As well as the above, the garden played host to the local pair of Herring Gulls (already tarting up their nest), a lone Black-headed Gull, two pairs of Collared Dove and their off-spring, a pair of Goldcrests, Blue Tits, Wrens, a Fieldfare in the snow and two pairs of Robin. Walking down to the meadows there was very little on show, but a couple of Fieldfare made a vanguard appearance. I also noted 6 Little Egrets feeding together in one of the sodden paddocks.

Looks like we'll be getting a different flood next week - of thrushes avoiding the forecast snow up country.

More wet and more to come

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.

6M (adult male) Bullfinch

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. 

3M (young male) Blackcap

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)

2 (6M) old male Long-tailed Tit (retrap)

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!

Some improvement

Some say. I say. 68 birds caught this week even though the weather was up and down. Around half of all birds were from the finch family and possibly represents the end of their 'migration' through the area. On Friday, we had the first Redwings on the Holly trees, albeit just two. One or two Fieldfares are around the village and one of the Mistle Thrushes has reappeared. The wagtails, Pied and Grey, now flit back and forth daily over the garden, to what purpose I have no idea. 

The Crow family down the lane have become more obvious too, with several irritable (if you can apply that to a bird) inter-changes, presumably between the parents and their dilatory offspring. A question of "big enough and old enough" springs to mind. The Chiff at the back of the garden, and the other one down the lane, have been silent this week; most likely this is because I've not ventured out early enough, given the rather dank weather.

Now for the list covering last Saturday (10th) to Friday:

Collared Dove 1 - a fully fledged youngster

Goldcrest 2         

Blue Tit 8 (1)

Great Tit 2 (2)

Coal Tit 1 (1)

Blackbird 5 (1)

Robin (1)

Dunnock (1)

House Sparrow 7 (1) - just 2 were female

Chaffinch 3 - all adult

Greenfinch 9 (2) - females outnumbered males 2:1

Goldfinch 15 (2) - 50:50 split on age; 60:40 M:F

Siskin 1

Total = 54 (14 retraps), 13 species.

On three consecutive days, I controlled another ringer's bird. It so happens that it was one each from the other local ringers, situate 2, 8 & 15 km in more or less a westerly direction. They were all adult birds, caught during the spring of this year, the nearest one a male Goldfinch, the other two were Greenfinches, one of each sex.

I've been looking at my tit catches over the previous 90 days. It shows how bad a breeding season the Blue and Great Tits have had when compared to Coal Tit. The "Age Specific" analysis, which covers the breeding season itself, shows little or no change from last year's figures for the "big boys". The current catches contain 38% adults for Blue Tit and almost the same, at 39%, for Great Tit. The much smaller Coal Tit, meanwhile, only has 11% adult 'content', a much more realistic figure. It can be partially explained by the fact that Coal Tits nest in the coniferous plantations, which are much drier, least ways beneath the canopy, and that must have been an advantage this year.

Back home

We're up and running again!

Last week I returned to Bedford to attend to family matters and to do some shopping while I was there. I was back home last weekend and managed to get in one day's ringing before I was off again. The weather was not very conducive for much migration to take place, but I gave it a go in the orchard between the intermittent showers.

Birds caught (22) and ringed (19):

Collared Dove 1

Gt. Spotted Woodpecker 1 - young female (5ogc)

Blue Tit 5 (1) - just 2 juvs.

Coal Tit 2 (2)

Wren 1 - cock bird

Chaffinch 2 - of the female persuasion

Goldfinch 5

Siskin 2 - both adult males

Fema;e 1CY Gt. Spot. Woodpecker - note a few red feathers in the crown but buff collar

This was very much the same fare as recent efforts and typical of the month of October. Three species were conspicuous by their absence - Long-tailed Tit, Blackbird and Dunnock.

I then had the pleasure of travelling east and meeting up with my sole surviving 'C' permit  holder from Bedfordshire days. [My other 'C's and 'T's all opted to transfer to senior members within the ringing group.] It turned out that the weather was not very conducive  to "non-stop" ringing once again; being near the coast made it doubly so. A vigorous front passed backwards and forwards over much of southern England, depositing fair amounts of rain that caused local flooding.

However, I was able to ring plenty of my favourite bird - Goldfinch, while Amanda got stuck into Lesser Redpolls. My trainee got to grips with a few 'crests ... but I did wrest a Firecrest from her, the second this year, but eons away from the previous two, which were 'ringing ticks' at that time.

Male 1CY Firecrest

Back home, the weather improved albeit slowly, enabling me to erect a net in the orchard ready for the morning. It so happened that the day, (today), although not spectacular from a meteorological standpoint, turned out to be a steady one and I had 32 new birds by the end (tea-time actually), plus 4 "I had prepared earlier".

Total for the session, covering 9 species:

Goldcrest 3 - included all tail shapes, Euring ages 2, 3 & 4

Blue Tit 4 (1)

Great Tit 3 (2)

CoalTit 6 - all juvs.

Blackcap 1 - 1CY male

Robin 1 (1) - the ringed bird from July as a juv.

Chaffinch 1 - young male

Greenfinch 1 - adult female (1st for a while)

Goldfinch 12 - 50% adults

Male 1CY Goldcrest

The Siskins turned up late in the day but decided on a collaborative effort and stayed high over. One or two often arrive at 'first light' but always sneak in from next door and return the same way. I'll be moving the feeders the other side of the net to see if that entices them.

The weather promises to be 'fair' for a few days after misty starts; who knows, we may be in for some more birds to ring.

Note: individual birds that have been recaptured are always given in brackets, (n), on my blog

Allez oop

Despite the weather it has been a good week in most respects. I have been able to do some ringing every day, though Tuesday only saw 1 new Blue Tit in the bag before the wind got up.           

The garden produced 96 new birds (10, 1, 16, 11, 12, 26, 20) and 13 recaptures of 10 species using one 60' in our small orchard. Thursday morning at  Highbridge meadows yielded 21 new plus 3 re-traps including a new species, Grewo, originally from Five Bells, a couple of km to the north-west. There was a passage of Chaffinches but no Mipits or Swallows. Saturday at the meadows saw the temperature down to 0C with clear skies and just 4 new AA rings plus 2 re-traps. 12 Jays moved overhead from the direction of the Crown Estate (mainly coniferous) towards the Quantocks (large tracts of deciduous) at 08:30 and 4 Meadow Pipits took an interest in the "tape" but decided to avoid the net and moved on. Just 2 lone Swallows were seen hastening south. There was a noticeable increase in the number of Siskin feeding high in the Alders, which coincided with their attraction to the garden feeders.

Siskin - male 2CY (October)

*** Birds trapped at the meadows = 25 (4):
Green Woodpecker - control
Blue Tit 1 (1)
Great Tit 4
Long-tailed Tit 7 (3)
Chiffchaff 5
Wren 1
Blackbird 1
Robin 1
Dunnock1
Chaffinch 4

The main event at the house was the number of Goldfinches that appeared from Tuesday onwards. Until now, it has just been the local birds - that know their way around the feeders without getting caught too often.

1CY Goldfinch - After PJ moult

1CY Goldfinch - During PJ moult

 *** Birds caught at the house = 96 (12) [excludes any same week re-traps]
Blue Tit 10 (6)
Great tit 3 (1)
Coal Tit 8 (1) - 2 adults
Chiffchaff 2 - both 'long-winged' @ 64mm
Robin (3)
Dunnock 1
House Sparrow 1
Chaffinch 1
Greenfinch 1
Goldfinch 59 (1) - a dozen adults, F=M
Siskin 10 - influx Fri/Sat (6/7th Oct); 8 adults, 2 juvs

Coal Tit - 1CY

Just thought that I'd show some "rear views" for a change. I will be going to be away from the village for much of the next two weeks and therefore ringing at the house will have to be snatched "as and when". However, my pliers will be in use elsewhere!

Autumn passage

This last week we have noticed that autumn passage seems to have got under way down here. This doesn't mean to say that some passage, especially of warblers, has not been going on for the last two months, but merely that some other species are now being heard, seen and caught. Newly trapped birds have been showing evidence of laying down fat for their onward migration, most likely across the English Channel (La Manche for you francophiles).        

Not a lot of ringing has been done this week but the birding has been interesting. There was an influx of Swallows on Saturday, with much feeding over the meadows. Fortunately, the other half of the hay meadow (across the stream) was cut and left in winrows on the same day. This must have exposed or disturbed much of the insect life that the hirundines then exploited. Where the birds went to roost is a mystery, but it may have been in an area of willow and tall Himalayan Balsam to the north of where we usually ring. The birds were certainly apparent early on when I set up for a session on Sunday.

Swallows 'resting' between feeding bouts on the HT overhead cables.

Early on Sunday morning (ca.7am) 54 CANGOs (les Bernaches du Canada) moved quietly south, presumably to Hawkridge, or even Durleigh, Reservoir. About one hour later, a noisy flock of 73 Canadas returned from that direction. Had they come across a shooting party? Another hour later and over 100 returned, split into six parties of approx 20 each, from the direction of Blue Anchor/ Dunster Beach. What was going on?

Including a few hours netting in the garden, the total for the week reached 14 new birds and 9 retraps of 10 species; not a lot, I know, but the result of a poorer than usual season. Trainee Lizzie was unable to come this weekend but has promised to turn up one day this coming week before I disappear to NW Norfolk for some incoming "Pinkies", etc..

Great Tit (2)
Coal Tit 2 (1)
Chiffchaff 1 (1) - with fat10
Blackcap 2 (1) - 2 males with fat10, female fat25 (ESF)
Blackbird (1)
Robin 1 (2) - new bird had fat10; migrant?
Dunnock 2 (1)
Meadow Pipit 1 - on migration, fat20
Chaffinch 4 - on migration, all fat10
Goldfinch 1


The Meadow Pipit photo clearly shows the pronounced 'tooth' on the (3) juvenile median coverts and the inner greater coverts with their 'indentation' compared to the outer ones that have a more diffuse margin.


One of the other migrants, a 1CY female Chaffinch.

The retrap Blackcap was originally ringed here on 10th July last year as a 3J male. All the other recaptures are, not surprisingly, of this years juveniles.

I am hoping that the hay will be baled today, [it was teddered - that means we can drive between the rows instead] so that I can attempt a ringing session in the 'orchard' and set a tape up for some more Mipits!

          
This is the second of these to be found moving across the lawn this month.

For better or for worse?

Another week and four more sessions out of the way. Just the one was with any seriousness as the weather is still not very conducive for ringing down at the meadows. The garden remains dead in daylight hours, although some of the bird food is disappearing, albeit slowly. Just one highlight - a Nuthatch flew from front to back. The Tawny and Little Owls have started calling again, so winter's on its way.

On the 4th it was 6 new birds of 6 species, including a Swallow and a coal Tit. On Saturday the 8th, we had 220' of net up in good weather after a front had gone through. This was to be the best day with 10 new and 3 retraps. The following two mornings were on the windy side and ringing was curtailed after a couple of hours. Nevertheless, 5 new Chiffs plus 1 on the Sunday and 4 new birds of 4 species plus 1 already ringed entered the ringing book.

The 25 new birds and 5 recaptures (in brackets) were as follows:

Swallow 2

Blue Tit 1

Great Tit (2)

Coal Tit 1

Long-tailed Tit 1

Chiffchaff 5 (3)

Blackcap 6

Wren 1

Blackbird 3

Robin 2

Dunnock 2

Greenfinch 1

Twelve species is a good spread for this time of year.

Staring skywards during moments of inactivity or refreshment, bird-watching produced a Hobby, a Wood Sand, the following day 2 Common Sands and on the last two days a Green Sand that is likely to remain for two or three weeks. Sorely tempted to have a go for this one night, now that I've found a spot to set a net. There have been the usual family of not very shy Buzzards, two/three Grey Herons mooching about, a mini vis-mig of Chaffinches and the local 6-family pack of Swallows entertaining me/us as the sun shows over the hill.

To put this year's rotten conditions in context, I checked over the database for monthly totals. Last year in June I worked the site for just the last week and processed 22 (all new) birds, whereas this year, in a full month we only managed 17. July figures are 223 and 18 respectively, August 131 and 33, and already in September we have achieved 67 compared to a full month last year of 79. We might have to call a drought soon as we've only had 1mm of rain so far this month!!! Our only problem at the moment has been the stiff north-west wind that gets up far too often.

Female Chiffchaff completing PJ moult (Sept) 

Juvenile Swallow (Sept)

Juvenile female Blackbird prior to PJ moult (early Sept)

Next suitable day looks like Friday. Will report back again after next weekend. 

The Chiffchaff Foxtrot

You need to keep up - slow, slow, quick, quick, slow.   

That was the way it went on Sunday, when we were able to have another visit to the water meadows. Few birds early on, followed by a bit of a rush, then a slow down and stop. By the way, we had 110mm of rain last month, which combined with June and July, meant that we had more than twice the summer's average. It's still too wet underfoot to visit our new site on the Levels.                                        

It was an early start, some three quarters of an hour before sunrise. Later, before we caught most of the birds, there was an on-and-off period of drizzle as a front passed over. Things picked up around 9 o'clock. 

Juvenile Chiffchaff - September

The Chiffchaffs dominated with 12 new birds, all youngsters in various stages of post-juvenile moult. Blue Tits were also out in force, with two adults from last year in spanking, new plumage. A turn-up for the books, as far as we're concerned, was a juvenile Whitethroat, a species that normally departs the site by the third week in August. 

Juvenile Whitethroat - September

Altogether, we managed 24 new birds and 3 retraps as follows:

Blue Tit 5 (2)

Chiffchaff 12

Blackcap 1 - 3P male, no fat

Whitethroat 1

Wren (1) - this year's juv 

Song Thrush 1

Robin 2

Dunnock 1 - an adult male in full moult

Chaffinch 1

Other noticeable birds around were three Grey Herons, making their way to the coast and two flocks of Canada Geese in the opposite direction.

Today, Monday, I returned but it was a little later than yesterday before I unfurled the nets. Although the weather was cloudy at first, the sun appeared by half nine. The wind had also shifted round to the south-west. I did manage a few more Chiffchaffs in ones and twos. Just lately, the Robins have all re-appeared, singing and calling in preparation for establishing their winter territories.

So, 10 new birds and two retraps were all I could muster today, as follows:

Blue Tit (1) - adult female from Jan 2011

Long-tailed Tit 1 -juv in heavy moult

Chiffchaff 6 (1) - 100% juvs again

Blackcap 1 - 3 female, fat 20

Song Thrush 1 - adult male in moult

Robin 1

Bird-watching in between realised the local Swallows, about 24 in all, family parties of Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch milling about and a Wood sandpiper, travelling upstream, that didn't stop.

At some time, if we're lucky, we might catch one or two adult Chiffs. These will be from more northern climes, as our local 'mums and dads' always seem to leave in August, before or during their complete summer moult.

The last week has seen jersey and Garden Tigers in the garden, plus many other butterflies, including up to 3 Painted Ladies at once.

If the weather holds, we will be out again as often as possible during September. as October is "deadly" and November is only good for passing Siskins .

Saved by the tits

I managed to get in another session down at the water meadows on Sunday, a week after our last effort. This was the only chance of doing any ringing this week, so I took it gladly. I concentrated around net 1 since the rides further down the meadow were susceptible to the weather. As it was, I would have missed/scared off the only Blackcap hanging round there if and when I put the nets up. It was fairly sunny despite the cloud cover racing in from the coast (from the north-west) but the willows and alders create some shade for the net(s) at the top end of the site, where I stayed today.

Last week's moulting adult Chiff

Nine o'clock - and still no birds in the nets. Boredom was averted by a spot of bird watching instead. The local male Sparrowhawk appeared from the direction of home but was quickly picked up, and picked on, by the resident Crow from the hill. For a while, the Sparr let the crow have its fun but eventually turned on its tormentor. After a bit of a telling off, the Crow returned to the offensive until the Sparr was outside the imaginary defensive territorial ring. [Well, I couldn't make out the boundary, only a set distance from the top of the hill]. Later, a female Sparr was brought to my attention by the swarm of 'clinking' Swallows that accompanied her. She soon cleared off towards the riding school. 

The Woodpigeons have finished building their nest in the willows on the other side of the stream/river. The local male(?) Great Spotted Woodpecker flew across to look for its 'dinner' elsewhere. I counted four Blackcaps 'ticking' around the site in various hedges. These hedges would be ideal for ringing if only they didn't consist of a fence/hedge/deep ditch/hedge/another fence; they are kept at just the right height, too, for setting an intercepting net. 

From the lane, looking SE towards the Quantocks

Standing in the lane I could see the net. At nine o'clock, I noticed some activity around the trees. It look liked tits or warblers from this distance. By now the place was warming up and there was more bird activity generally. Eventually I could see that I had a catch.

It wasn't a brilliant morning but I did end up with the following:

Blue Tit 4 - including an adult male '49er'

Great Tit 2 - juvs

Long tailed Tit 1 (1) - an adult pair completing their moult

Chiffchaff 3 - a 3JP and 2x 3JJs

Blackcap 2 - a 3JP male & a 3JJ fem

There should have been another Blackcap, a 3P male, but it was a case of 'butter fingers'.

    

The weather forecast implies that we won't be able to go ringing this week until Friday at the earliest. Perhaps a spell of better (fine) weather then, before the aftermath of hurrican Isaac hits us. Tallyho! 

I've struggled

What with the recent weather and a couple of family commitments, last week's ringing total was somewhat subdued! I still couldn't get on to the meadows because of the wet ground and that probably meant missing out on ringing some Sedge, Garden & Willow Warblers.

However, it was ten new birds and three re-traps caught and ringed, just enough to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms -

Adult (4) Collared Dove - note deep red eye

Collared Dove 1 - a red-legged adult (female)
Blue Tit 2 (2) - new juvs
Coal Tit 1 - fresh juv
Long-tailed Tit (1) - another adult in full moult
Blackcap 1 -
Wren 1 - yet another juv
House Sparrow 3
Bullfinch 1 - the last of fledglings? (makes 5)

We don't have any berries yet, black or elder. Our plums are still not ready for picking, either, which means a seasonal shift of about three weeks.

Hard, green Blackberries (mid-August)

Over the last two weeks the garden has been full of butterflies; Large White, Small White, Comma, Red Admiral, Peacock, Hedge Brown and Meadow Brown. The Hedge Brown (or Gatekeeper) has been the most prolofic. The Holly Blue has already gone through its second generation early.

Gatekeeper or Hedge Brown

The forecast for getting any ringing done during the coming week is poor - a rapidly moving mix of showers, periods of rain, thunderstorms and high winds does not bode well for any ringing ... and my step daughter, Bex, says it's going to be very warm at the weekend, to make matters worse.

Family commitments accomplished included a trip to Wells and the cathedral and the bishop's palace. We didn't chase round the city looking for all 42 swans!

Swan sculpture - one of six by the Bishop's Palace, Wells.

And to cap it all, I have had to look out for these two "charmers". They are not a threat to any birds in the nets, but they do follow me about quite closely. [H&S trip hazards!]
[Lakeland X puppy belongs to "her indoors" and the 12 year-old DSH tom-cat is "next door's"]

Amber & Misty

When does it stop?

This English summer, this unseasonal summer, this wind of no change.

I have managed a little ringing over the past 12 days. On eight days the nets were open in the early morning, before the wind found its strength, the sun its altitude or the rain its power. Twice the weather got the better of me and twice I had to commit to family matters.

On the 25th, we got the nets up down at the meadows. Nine birds of five species were our reward. It is still not possible to drive round the site for two reasons; the grass is extremely long, too long for my little estate car, and the ground is repeatedly softened by the heavy rain, constantly drying and then being re-wetted. The main stumbling block for us though is the relentless wind that is a feature of the present weather system.

Our reward was the following:
Great Tit 2 - juvs starting PJ moult
Chiffchaff 2 - one a female commencing primary moult (MS=06)
Blackcap 3 - all juvs and potential females
Song Thrush 1 - juv-juv
Dunnock 1 - an adult female with a BP feathering over and a PMS of 13
... and no re-traps.

I have been managing to achieve three to four birds of a morning to ring in the garden, sometimes with just 60' of netting, some times with double that. With 28 new birds to ring over the eight days, a respectable total of 14 species was reached, including a new one, Herring Gull. This was a bit of a cheat as it, a recently fledged bird from the factory roof "next door", clipped my neighbours TV aerial and crash landed in his garden. After a bit of TLC, inclusive of a present of some BTO bling, it was reunited with its parents.

Herring Gull 1
Goldcrest 2 - both juv-juvs
Blue Tit 1 (3) - the new bird was an adult male (6M), the others juvs starting PJ moult
Great Tit 4 - all juvs PJ-ing happily
Long-tailed Tit (2) - both ringed as adults last spring but with out any fledglings with them this time.
Blackcap 3 (1) - all PJ males, mostly 2 ogc and no fat
Wren (2) - a juv plus a 2CY female curtailing her breeding season
Blackbird 2 - a 3JM and a 6F
Song Thrush 3 (1) - mum this time, with 3 more of her former brood

Recently fledged Song Thrush

Robin 3 (1) - all of an age, probably from a third brood in the back hedge
House Sparrow 4 (2) another batch of recent fledglings
Pied Wagtail 2 - male with a 'club foot' & 1 of the off spring
Goldfinch 2 - both 1J's, just able to get from bush to bush
Bullfinch (2) - both from "our nest", one unfortunately hit one of our windows

Recently fledged Pied Wagtail

Adult male Pied Wagtail with 'club foot'

It was de rigeur that I attended the Taunton Flower Show last Friday; the consolation was the 'dog & duck show', the jousting and the Yorkshire Marching Band. If you ever get the chance, go see @the Sheep Show' - very entertaining as well as informative.

Marching Band at Taunton Show

I also had to attend a family wedding in Peterborough - the reception and the drive home took place during some torrential and prolonged thunderstorms, making driving into a setting sun a real hazard. Absolutely knackered but the day was worth while, none the less.

The weather forecasters have promised us warmer and better weather later on this week. Let us hope that it is more settled and conducive to some mist netting. My bones need it, too!

Yesterday was the third anniversary of my starting this personal blog (then known as "Tits and Things"), having started the Ivel Ringing Group blog some 15 months earlier. This becomes blog number 236.

Wet, wet, wet

I'll get it off my chest now - it's been wet and windy, most of all, yesterday and today. We've only had an inch and a quarter or so (32++mm) in 18 hours, not as bad as further south. The Doniford Stream is running high already and still has to reach its peak. I don't know when that will be as it's still raining!      

Today is the Village Fete. I was thinking of entering the BSD in the bitch classes as she had a bath earlier in the week. She'll be wet through again by the time I walk up there! Wonder if Diane (organiser and next door neighbour) has called the whole thing off?

Juvenile GSW

First up was this Great Spotted Woodpecker of the juvenile kind - easily told by its red cap [adult males have a red nape]. I knew that I had replaced the old peanuts with some fresh ones for a good reason.

Juvenile (female?) Blackcap

It was a relief to catch a couple of young Blackcaps around the garden, too. The male had started singing again but I had not got on to any offspring to date. Until this week.

Adult male 'King Harry' outside the kitchen window

I haven't caught any Goldfinches for some while now; it must be about 3 weeks since one hit the nets.

Small Tortoiseshell

Painted Lady

Last Saturday, the sun did come out and it got quite hot. A few butterflies emerged from wherever they had been sheltering and I managed some shots of two of them. There was also a Red Admiral but 'it' was very active and wouldn't settle for long.

I've been sneaking in bits of ringing in the garden at 5 or 6 o'clock in the morning, when it's not been a stiff blow. Not much to report other than it turned up a different set of birds, as you can see.   

Juvenile Robin

There are lots of young Robins around at last, and one or two of them are just beginning their PJ moult, showing a modest few red feathers in the top corners of their breasts.

The tally for the week was:

Gt. Spot. Woodpecker 1 - juvenile

Blue Tit 5 (1) - all juvs except the re-trap, an adult female

Wren 1 - a youngster

Robin (3) - all this year's offspring

Dunnock 2 (1) - two juvs and a 'daddy'

Blackcap 2 - juvs

WHITETHROAT 1 - this year's bird

Blackbird (1) - female with a good BP; third clutch?

House Sparrow (1) - last year's juv, a female with wrinkly BP

Siskin 2 - another local breeding pair

Total 14 new, 7 re-traps, 10 species

I managed a short spate of gardening on Thursday afternoon. It was very pleasant with a background of Siskin song in my ears - until the dustcarts raced round the corner, returning to base at shift end.

Male Siskin