Wraysbury GP - 26 December 2014

We went out for a few hours this morning for some fresh air and a little exercise,and decided that a try for thrushes at Wraysbury was the order of the day.

On arrival there were plenty of thrushes about, but the vast majority were Fieldfare. We only put up three doubles and used the Lithuanian tape for Redwings.  We got a decent spread of species although the total number of birds was very modest.

 Redwing

 

 Blackbird

 Goldfinch

 Green Woodpecker

Songthrush

Totals: 9 (4)

Green Woodpecker - 1

Wren - 0 (1)

Robin - 2

Dunnock - 0 (1)

Blackbird - 1

Songthrush - 0 (1)

Redwing - 2

Goldcrest- 1

Long-tailed Tit - 1 (1)

Goldfinch - 1

Broadwater GP - 13 December 2014

We haven't been getting out much of late. Winter weather and someone recovering from pleurisy just don't mix well. Still, today we arranged to meet MRB and Margaret for an early morning try for Redwings. We know the birds roost here but failed miserably at a dusk attempt so have now gone for the 6.30am start. The nets went up well and the very first calls were not heard until the main nets were erected. It was extremely cold with the first haw frost of the winter.

I can't recall the last time this happened to equipment, if ever!

The first round was disappointing with only one Redwing in the net.

The first Redwing was a juvenile bird.

Subsequent rounds brought a few Goldcrests, a Bullfinch and a slow trickle of Redwings as well as a few retraps, including a Treecreeper with the usual selection of tits.

 

 Adult Redwing with rufous hue to tips and edge of greater and median coverts.

The temperature hovered around zero degrees until well after 9.00am and the increased frquency of net rounds (to minimise the time that birds spent in nets) was appreciated by those ringers wearing wellingtons (for the sake of our toes!)

 Juvenile male Bullfinch

 Another adult bird with heavier markings on breast than previously photographed individuals.

 By the time we got the last Redwing there was still frost on the ground despite some much welcomed winter sunshine.

Additional sightings included Little Egret, Red Kite, Grey Wagtail with 3 Goosanders on the lake. Nets down by 11.45am and on to the Crewroom Cafe at the aerodrome.

Totals: 24 (6)

Wren - 1
Robin - 0 (1)
Songthrush - 1
Redwing - 8
Goldcrest - 5
Blue Tit - 4 (3)
Great Tit - 2 (1)
Long-tailed Tit - 2
Treecreeper - 0 (1)
Bullfinch - 1