Lamsdell Bird Ringing and Wildlife Blog: Iver Heath garden

Tuesday 1 April 2014

Iver Heath garden - March 2014

Siskin numbers were on the rise with the transition from February to March. There were a few dates when early morning numbers in the nearby ash trees, and the volume of twittering indicated that numbers had received a boost - but then other days were very quiet indeed.

We were pleased to process two controls and details of the following are awaited.

D381689 a 5M captured on the 6th and Y551884 a 6F that was caught on the 9th.

Here are some interesting individuals.

D710850 a smart 6M Siskin

D710885 5M showing retained median coverts as well as all greater coverts.

Control Y551884 6F

There were only 8 species on the list and Siskin accounted for well over half of the birds caught. This has not been one of our best years by a long chalk but it's nice to host these lovely little birds as most ( there is ocassional breeding in our local country park, Black Park) take a break from their Northward journey.

Numbers have tailed right off now so we do not expect to catch more until next winter - unless of course we get juveniles in late April to May.

Totals: 58 (12)

Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1

Dunnock - 0 (1)

Robin - 0 (4)

Blackbird - 4 (2)

Blue Tit - 2 (1)

Goldfinch - 14

Siskin - 36 (3)

Lesser Redpoll - 1 (1)

About us

Chris and Denise Lamsdell

We have both been birders for about 40 years based in South Bucks near the West London reservoir complexes.

Since September 2021 we have been based in North Norfolk. We have done our bit of twitching in the past, but with other priorities this has become a much reduced activity with a preference for seeing new birds where ever our travels take us.

We both have been ringing since 2005. Our local group was the Runnymede RG while based in Buckinghamshire. Since moving to Norfolk we have started a new group called The Iceni Bird Monitoring Group, aimed at increasing public engagement through colour ringing projects on Black-headed Gull, Turnstone and Lapwing. We ring at several sites including Sculthorpe Moor, Sandringham Estate, Deepdale Farm and also monitor bird populations for the Norfolk Rivers Trust. We do ringing at home and support with foreign projects when opportunities allow. Chris also has an interest in Butterflies and Dragonflies and contains his limited photographic skill to them.