Mitcham Common
Every now and again we join PB and help with monitoring of the birds in the London parks. Today was one such day and we started with a Canada Goose round-up at Mitcham Common. This is possible as the birds are flightless while the flight feathers are renewed. However, it still entailed the use of a dinghy, construction of barriers and a holding area and enough people to direct the flock into the corral. Fortunately there was a wonderfully shady spot, just by the lake, where the birds could be kept and processed.
The first attempt failed as the dinghy was too slow without an outboard motor, the use of which had hoped to be avoided due to the shallow depth of some parts of the lake. The second try was much better and with the exception of just three geese, the flock was successfully corralled and processed. We were also able to relieve one bird of a fishing hook and line that had become entangled around its leg and foot. The toatl of 42 was made up of 35 adults and 7 well grown gooslings.
Coot - 1
Every now and again we join PB and help with monitoring of the birds in the London parks. Today was one such day and we started with a Canada Goose round-up at Mitcham Common. This is possible as the birds are flightless while the flight feathers are renewed. However, it still entailed the use of a dinghy, construction of barriers and a holding area and enough people to direct the flock into the corral. Fortunately there was a wonderfully shady spot, just by the lake, where the birds could be kept and processed.
The first attempt failed as the dinghy was too slow without an outboard motor, the use of which had hoped to be avoided due to the shallow depth of some parts of the lake. The second try was much better and with the exception of just three geese, the flock was successfully corralled and processed. We were also able to relieve one bird of a fishing hook and line that had become entangled around its leg and foot. The toatl of 42 was made up of 35 adults and 7 well grown gooslings.
Total: 10 (42)
Canada Goose - 17 (35)
After that we went on to tour other parks hoping to hand net odd geese, swans and ducks. There were also opportunities to talk to members of the public and inform them of the work being carried out. Data was recorded either through hand netting or rings being read.
One of the many lakes in the open spaces
found throughout London.
Tooting Bec
Total: 1
Canada Goose - 1
Wandsworth Common
Total: 5 (4)
Mute Swan - 0 (1)
Egyptian Goose - 1
Mallard - 1
Moorhen - 2
Coot - 1
Woodpiegeon - 0 (3)
Greylag gosling at Wimbledon Park Lake prior to processing
Where ever possible rings are read in the field and several Woodpigeon,
Mute Swan, Canada and Egyptian Geese were recorded.
Wimbledon Park Lake
Total: 4 (4)
Mute Swan - 0 (2)
Egyptian Goose - 1 (2)
Greylag Goose - 1
Mallard - 1Coot - 1