Broadwater GP - 31 August 2011

A visit was primarily to look at one area around the old plant to see if it could be used as a ringing site. The area is almost a Buddleia forest with an area of Silver Birch but is often quite full of birds. There was some prospect and as usual quite a few Finches and Chiffs in the area. All that has to be done now is sort out access permission. Whilst looking over the pit which had quite a lot of birds on it, all of which could be expected to be seen, including twelve Egyptian Geese and an eclipse male Red-crested Pochard, I heard a small thud next to me and looked down and there was a gasping 3J Greenfinch lying at my feet. I picked it up but within a few seconds had died. It appeared in good condition plumage wise but had no fat and extremely sharp breast with absolutely no muscle to speak of. The bird had a clean beak and obviously had not been making use of the many rose hip or blackberry bushes nearby and presumably was under nourished.