We were planing to joint Pete Potts and others for a catch on the Solent water today, but with the falling of snow overnight it looked unlikely we would get out. But, the thought of ringing Ringed Plover or Dunlin for the first time, had me at least messing about checking motorways cameras to make sure I could get there. Cameras checked, motorway clear, Denise deciding she having stiffened up too much from the previous day at the orchard remained behind. The journey was surprising easy and quick. After a short wait, the required flock of mainly Dunlin arrived in the right spot, a quick fire and the flock mainly seemed to be flying away - the middle cannon did not fire and we only had three birds. Well, four, one was under the net somewhere and made good an escape, so we had two Ringed Plovers and a Turnstone to ring and colour mark. Having so few birds, with trainees present, I felt trying to claim one of the Ringed Plovers was not the right thing to do, and there will always be another day. Managed to get some colour rings off waders on the beach before we left.
Ringed Plover
Turnstone
Totals (3 new):
Ringed Plover - 2
Turnstone - 1
At home Denise had a disappointing day in the garden, despite the cold few birds coming in, perhaps influenced by the fact the neighbour feeds next door and the net might be quite obvious in the white snow.
Garden total (5 new, 3 re-traps):
Robin - 0 (1)
Blackbird - 1
Blue Tit - 0 (1)
Starling - 2
Siskin - 2 (1)
