Deepdale Farm - 18th August 2022

 The second heatwave of the summer has now passed, and we've also come through the thunder, lightning and torrential downpours that ensued once the hot spell broke. The farm tracks showed evidence that some water had been running through the farm, displacing gravel, but the fields looked in good shape with the low vegetation, whether stubble or cover crop preventing run off and loss of top soil. The ground around the area where we set nets was noticeably softer underfoot.

One of 12 Whitethroats processed today.

Lesser Whitethroat in post juvenile moult

One of two Willow Warblers. Both were hatched this year and have

 completed their post-juvenile moult in preparation for their first migration south.

As in recent sessions, Whitethroat was the leading species. The catch was a good representation of the birds seen moving about the site, five species being summer migrants.

Adult male Blackcap AXD4199 was ringed, by another ringer/group, as a juvenile in September of last year and we await details. He is currently in the process of renewing his flight feathers. Note short outer primaries that are not yet fully grown and the old lighter, outer feather that has not yet dropped and has still to be replaced.

This young Robin would have hatched fairly late in the breeding season and has barely begun to develop its diagnostic red breast as it moults out juvenile feathers in its post juvenile moult.

Additional observations included a Green Woodpecker, 2 Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, 5 Common Buzzards and a juvenile European Stonechat.

A spectacular sunrise, a perk to follow the 5am alarm.

Total: 25 (2)

Wren - 1
Robin - 2
Lesser Whitethroat - 1
Whitethroat - 12
Blackcap - 2 (1 control)
Chiffchaff - 2
Willow Warbler - 2
Long-tailed Tit - 0 (1 control)
Blue Tit - 2
Goldfinch - 1

Deepdale Farm - 23rd May 2022

We captured 18 birds today. Not too much of note although the Yellowhammers were very nice. Catch also included some juvenile Dunnocks and re-trapped Goldcrest, Robin and Chiffchaff from previous sessions.

Male Yellowhammer, age code 5

Male Whitethroat

One bird that was not ringed was a Red-legged Partridge that managed to find the net, and was successfully held. Quite an achievement for a superfine net (supplied by Merlin) to hold such a weighty bird. 

Red-legged Partridge

Although it was not possible to ring the partridge, this being a species that is bred and released on a large scale on many estates (but not from this farm) for shooting. We were able to give it a check over for flat-flies as we participate in a project to monitor these parasitic flies and it may have been possible to collect a specimen for the Hippoboscidae work. The following link is to an article with some images and interesting details about these insects. 

https://entomologytoday.org/2015/05/18/hippoboscidae-flies-live-birth/

The partridge, however, did not have any such parasites and was then released un-ringed.

Total: 14 (3)

Wren - 2
Robin - 0 (1)
Dunnock - 5
Whitethroat - 2
Blackcap - 2
Chiffchaff - 1 (1)
Goldcrest - 0 (1)
Yellowhammer - 2

Deepdale Farm - 28th April 2022

 A rather slow morning that brought 13 birds' data to the record sheet. Joined by ERB, we were pleased to catch the first Whitethroat of the year and spent much of the morning talking about how good this little copse should be in the autumn, at an elevated position, there is plenty of  cover just a short flight from the coastal margins. Added to that a wealth of flying insects and surrounding arable fields with set aside with birds in mind.

Male Whitethroat

Total: 12 (1)

Robin - 2
Dunnock - 1 (1)
Blackbird - 1
Lesser Whitethroat - 1
Whitethroat - 1
Blackcap - 4
Chaffinch - 2