At the beginning of last week the weather was looking rather bad for ringing on the open day. Thankfully there was an improvement, no rain expected and a forecast for light South Westerly winds. This is not the best wind direction but it ought to bring some birds in. So, there were plenty of birds to show at the demonstrations between 8am and 10am. It struck me how much easier it was than our local Apple Day demonstrations - people are there between 10am and 4pm, we usually get about 60 or so birds and most of these before 10am.
Captures were down, only to be expected with more people on site than usual, and Meadow Pipits particularly would not respond to the audio-lure, restricting our captures somewhat. The team for the day was Bo, Kirsten, Margareta, Martin, Chris and myself.
Total: 123 (15)
Sparrowhawk - 1
Meadow Pipit - 1
Wren - 6
Dunnock - 3
Robin - 16
Redstart - 1
Song Thrush - 1
Reed Warbler - 8
Garden Warbler - 0 (1)
Blackcap - 27
Chiffchaff - 25
Goldcrest - 1
Bearded Tit - 0 (1)
Blue Tit - 3
Great Tit - 0 (1)
Greenfinch - 1
Lesser Redpoll - 1
Reed Bunting - 28
After ringing we took part in a free activity to build a nest box. It is wonderful so see such investment ( there was enough materials to build over 50 boxes) in encouraging people to take an interest in wildlife. Secondly, it was refreshing to see wood, hammer, nails, screws and mini power drills provided to all with no qualms. Parents were not overly concerned about children, it was all very relaxed and I very much doubt an activity would take place, in this way, in the UK - which is a real shame. I think the Swedes have got something right that we don't seem able to manage.
In the afternoon, Chris was watching the Cranes and noticed a colour-ringed bird. Between us we found three others. The birds were closer than usual and until now scope views have been insufficient to record full combinations. Three of the birds were ringed in Sweden and have been seen in France, Germany and Spain. One bird was not on the database although there was a suggestion that it may have been marked in Russia.
We tried for owls again but were unsuccessful.
Captures were down, only to be expected with more people on site than usual, and Meadow Pipits particularly would not respond to the audio-lure, restricting our captures somewhat. The team for the day was Bo, Kirsten, Margareta, Martin, Chris and myself.
Early birds at the 8am demonstration. It was impossible to get in as the morning progressed!
Due to being busy photos of birds were not taken, but, here is Martin with a similar female Sparrowhawk caught a little while ago.
Sparrowhawk - 1
Meadow Pipit - 1
Wren - 6
Dunnock - 3
Robin - 16
Redstart - 1
Song Thrush - 1
Reed Warbler - 8
Garden Warbler - 0 (1)
Blackcap - 27
Chiffchaff - 25
Goldcrest - 1
Bearded Tit - 0 (1)
Blue Tit - 3
Great Tit - 0 (1)
Greenfinch - 1
Lesser Redpoll - 1
Reed Bunting - 28
After ringing we took part in a free activity to build a nest box. It is wonderful so see such investment ( there was enough materials to build over 50 boxes) in encouraging people to take an interest in wildlife. Secondly, it was refreshing to see wood, hammer, nails, screws and mini power drills provided to all with no qualms. Parents were not overly concerned about children, it was all very relaxed and I very much doubt an activity would take place, in this way, in the UK - which is a real shame. I think the Swedes have got something right that we don't seem able to manage.
Giving nature a home - the Swedish way!
The finished articles, front opening for cleaning from IKEA style
prepared sections for home assembly.
We tried for owls again but were unsuccessful.