We returned to the site of our busy session on the 22nd, accompanied by WA and LON, hoping for a repeat of the high numbers of Lesser Redpoll and Redwing. We erected a total of eight nets in the misty conditions, noting that there were far fewer calls of Redwing overhead. There was no sign of the large flocks, of the previous week, all day.
As the morning progressed we rarely saw flocks of Redpoll until a flock of 100+ or so came across from the railway line. They would not be tempted down to the nets, so our captures failed to reach anywhere close to the three figure mark.
We still managed a very respectable 75 birds with rather more diversity on the record sheet this time providing plenty of learning opportunities for the trainees who both gained experience of some new species. LON had a rather surreal session, ringing no less than six species for the first time. Her new species on the day were Redwing, Lesser Redpoll, Reed Bunting, Coal Tit, Meadow Pipit and Jay.
As the morning progressed we rarely saw flocks of Redpoll until a flock of 100+ or so came across from the railway line. They would not be tempted down to the nets, so our captures failed to reach anywhere close to the three figure mark.
We still managed a very respectable 75 birds with rather more diversity on the record sheet this time providing plenty of learning opportunities for the trainees who both gained experience of some new species. LON had a rather surreal session, ringing no less than six species for the first time. Her new species on the day were Redwing, Lesser Redpoll, Reed Bunting, Coal Tit, Meadow Pipit and Jay.
The second of two Jays.
His'n'Hers Jays
3M Coal Tit
Lesser Redpoll
Total: 72 (3)
Meadow Pipit - 16 (2)
Redwing - 9
Wren - 6
Robin - 3
Dunnock - 1
Chiffchaff - 1
Goldcrest - 12
Long-tailed Tit - 1 (1)
Coal Tit - 1
Blue Tit - 6
Lesser Redpoll - 11
Jay - 2
Reed Bunting - 3