An early start to make the most of the thrushes and calm conditions. PD, MRB and Margaret joined up with us and nets were placed in three separate orchards with a couple of extras near our base.
There seemed to have been a change in the numbers of birds with fewer Fieldfare about but increased numbers of Redwing.
The first round yielded some of our target species and a young Sparrowhawk.
There seemed to have been a change in the numbers of birds with fewer Fieldfare about but increased numbers of Redwing.
The first round yielded some of our target species and a young Sparrowhawk.
Adult Redwing
Song Thrush - aged 5
5M Sparrowhawk
The next round brought more thrushes to the ringing table including a rather smart male Fieldfare.
6M Fieldfare
Then a small tit flock found one of the doubles and we got some Blue and Great Tits. These included some retraps but none were particularly old. A Treecreeper was the most interesting individual of the group.
Treecreeper aged 4
The birds trickled in with more Redwing, Fieldfare and a couple of Blackbirds.
Adult Redwing
The remains of a Sparrowhawk kill (perhaps of the female ringed at the
end of December as a Fieldfare would be rather large for a male bird
such as that ringed today).
end of December as a Fieldfare would be rather large for a male bird
such as that ringed today).
Unusual light effect - not a rainbow and the sun was just
out of shot to the right.
The morning had quietened down substantially by 11am so we packed up early - but will try again tomorrow when a heavier frost is expected. Thanks to the owners of HCF for allowing us access and to those who joined our team today.
Totals: 28 (9)
Sparrowhawk - 1
Blackbird - 2
Fieldfare - 6
Redwing - 11
Song Thrush - 1
Blue Tit - 2 (5)
Great Tit - 3 (4)
Treecreeper - 1
Chaffinch - 1