tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40998436449684321342024-03-13T02:46:31.609-07:00Green Wood RingerBTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.comBlogger216125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-65741776284280580502014-11-16T13:32:00.001-08:002014-11-16T13:32:18.840-08:00A chat or two...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
For various reasons, I haven't been out ringing in Bedfordshire for 6 weeks, so it was nice to be out again. Quality was the order of the day and it took some patience. At Sandy Smith Nature Reserve, 6 birds were ringed between dawn and 2pm when the rain came.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fxgApnwe-Dw/VGkDKkUhzsI/AAAAAAAADqM/5M8zl5CpT5k/s1600/P1070670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fxgApnwe-Dw/VGkDKkUhzsI/AAAAAAAADqM/5M8zl5CpT5k/s1600/P1070670.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above & Below: A female Stonechat</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slwJCTQ-nW8/VGkDOGxqDvI/AAAAAAAADqU/FlJPYwL5AOk/s1600/P1070675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slwJCTQ-nW8/VGkDOGxqDvI/AAAAAAAADqU/FlJPYwL5AOk/s1600/P1070675.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This pair of Stonechats have been around the reserve for 6 weeks or more and are probably overwintering there. Both were youngsters. To put this in some perspective, the Ivel Ringing Group have only ever ringed 3 - the last one 20 years ago. I don't think many have been ringed in the county by other ringers either.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ub8-lWkjAtc/VGkDn_QrvaI/AAAAAAAADqk/Tl1pWB-nPCw/s1600/P1070690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ub8-lWkjAtc/VGkDn_QrvaI/AAAAAAAADqk/Tl1pWB-nPCw/s1600/P1070690.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above & Below: A male Stonechat</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qy3V9N53kXM/VGkEB82Y_ZI/AAAAAAAADq0/6AQ5S_OlNjM/s1600/P1070698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qy3V9N53kXM/VGkEB82Y_ZI/AAAAAAAADq0/6AQ5S_OlNjM/s1600/P1070698.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Two Wrens were ringed either side of the Stonechats. But as the nets were located in an area not conducive to catching lots of birds, I thought I'd try for other species I wouldn't normally catch. One Meadow Pipit was ringed (the last ones I caught here was in 2011), and a species I've never ringed before:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lEPLhbexdBc/VGkDdYJ1FUI/AAAAAAAADqc/r5RJxbd6uYM/s1600/P1070711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lEPLhbexdBc/VGkDdYJ1FUI/AAAAAAAADqc/r5RJxbd6uYM/s1600/P1070711.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above & Below: A Pied Wagtail </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TMUMj8OqoDY/VGkD0usjf9I/AAAAAAAADqs/Bd1pUfAPGuo/s1600/P1070714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TMUMj8OqoDY/VGkD0usjf9I/AAAAAAAADqs/Bd1pUfAPGuo/s1600/P1070714.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The Stonechats and the Pied Wagtail are new species ringed for the site. I have now ringed 52 species here. I packed up when the rain came, but didn't leave as my net rides needed a trim and the feeders topping up. Now I am home, I can reflect on a enjoyable days work well done!BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-37171514230870895762014-09-24T08:12:00.002-07:002014-09-24T08:12:43.753-07:00Wagtail delight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In the period since my last post, I have been busy ringing (and entering data!) but the numbers ringed haven't topped the heights of August. However, quality has been in evidence.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We are well into peak migration time for our summer breeders. Some species are largely gone already, whilst some are still in full flow and Blackcap migration seems to have peaked already but will continue for a little while yet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
At Sandy Smith Nature Reserve (SSNR) I've caught a couple of late Reed Warblers (12/09/14), a late Sedge Warbler (13/09/14) and 15 Blackcaps so far in September. Favoured natural food for Blackcaps are the purple Elderberries which have been in abundance in my ringing area - though it was noted the other day that the berries are wilting & dying (perhaps because of age, perhaps continued heat!). 10 Chiffchaffs have accompanied the tit flocks so far in September and just 1 Whitethroat has made an appearance (compared to 3 in 2013, 0 in 2012, 4 in 2011 and 4 in 2010).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And then there's the quality:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cAjCmphhvhc/VCKrlli_OnI/AAAAAAAADpk/WkzHmxjbvis/s1600/P1070529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cAjCmphhvhc/VCKrlli_OnI/AAAAAAAADpk/WkzHmxjbvis/s1600/P1070529.JPG" height="271" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above & Below: A juvenile Yellow Wagtail.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3r3IPgvd5uY/VCKsQr8a3UI/AAAAAAAADps/HFOwjLAmqKM/s1600/P1070532a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3r3IPgvd5uY/VCKsQr8a3UI/AAAAAAAADps/HFOwjLAmqKM/s1600/P1070532a.jpg" height="320" width="227" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A flock of Yellow Wagtails were in amongst the sheep and cattle on SSNR. A roost session produced just the 1 bird - the first of this species ringed here. The site list is now up to 50 species ringed, with one other species - Mute Swan - ringed elsewhere.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The main species missing from the ringing list at SSNR (because they haven't been targeted and might prove more difficult to catch) are Skylark, Woodpigeon, Snipe, Swallow, Stonechat and Whinchat.</div>
<br />
The following day, in my usual ringing area, a surprise in the nets (it wasn't seen beforehand) was:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lKbP_I34lIs/VCKtszN22vI/AAAAAAAADp4/flWIvHGWIMk/s1600/P1070537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lKbP_I34lIs/VCKtszN22vI/AAAAAAAADp4/flWIvHGWIMk/s1600/P1070537.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: A juvenile Spotted Flycatcher (3rd ringed on site following singles in 2011 & 2013).</div>
<br />
On Monday 22nd, on a walk around the reserve, a large number of Meadow Pipits were observed (50+), as were a number of Skylarks but best of all - 2 Stonechats in the mist (they were gone by lunch time). I later observed a fox at quite a distance, hunting for food in broad daylight.<br />
<br />
My other site - Priory Country Park (PCP) - has been producing good numbers too now that the CES restrictions are lifted. In September, of the migrants, we've ringed 3 more Reed Warblers, 36 Blackcap, 18 Chiffchaff and 2 Willow Warblers. Of the birds coming to the feeding station, 42 have been new Blue Tits and 37 of the Great Tit variety whilst 11 have been Chaffinches. Our first two juvenile Bullfinches of the year were ringed too - surprising that we didn't ring any juveniles during the CES season.<br />
<br />
I have commented previously that it has been a good year for Goldcrest - 6 juveniles have been ringed this month so far at PCP (making 10 for the year).<br />
<br />
It won't be long now until we are graced with species that migrate to our country to spend winter with us (some may already be here). I personally look forward to Lesser Redpoll and Siskin migration most. Lets hope for favourable weather to bring them to our shores!<br />
<br />
I hope to run another ringing session at Priory on Sunday 28th September - with a demonstration for the Guided Bird Walk - meeting 9am at the visitor centre.<br />
BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-70676864606518065972014-09-03T15:21:00.002-07:002014-09-03T15:21:05.913-07:00The last two weekends...<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since my last post, I have made 2 ringing visits to Priory Country Park and 2 to Sandy Smith Nature Reserve. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The visits to Priory Country Park have been the last two of the Constant Effort Survey season. All 12 visits were made again this year for the 4th year in a row. Each one of the 12 visits can be compared to the corresponding visit on previous years allowing us to monitor breeding success and abundance by taking standardised population 'samples'. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The final CES totals for 2014 are:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Woodpigeon 2 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Green Woodpecker 3 (2)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wren 19 (14)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dunnock 21 (13)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Robin 22 (13)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blackbird 24 (15)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Song Thrush 7 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Reed Warbler 10 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Whitethroat 15 (8)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Garden Warbler 26 (6)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blackcap 104 (8)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chiffchaff 16 (4)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Goldcrest 4 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Long-Tailed Tit 2 (1)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blue Tit 23 (3)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Great Tit 13 (6)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Treecreeper 2 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Magpie 2 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chaffinch 2 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Goldfinch 4 (1)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bullfinch 4 (2)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A total of 326 new birds and 89 retraps (415 total handlings) of 22 species.<strong> N.B.</strong> Totals include an extra visit (April pre-CES), extra nets on all visits and some 'after official hours' captures.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blackcap (as is usual for this site) had most captures and it seems as though this was a good year for them. Disappointing was the lack of Bullfinch juveniles (none were ringed). A control Chiffchaff early in the season was a highlight as were 3 new and 2 recaptured Green Woodpeckers (involving 4 birds and including 2 juveniles) - usually one a year is what we might expect. 2 juvenile Magpies were unusual for CES and Goldcrests seem to have had a good year (benefitting from higher survival rates due to a very mild winter).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Away from Priory Country Park, the 2 visits to Sandy Smith Nature Reserve were particularly productive with 130 captures on 24th and 151 on 31st August!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There were some notables amongst the catches:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iDF3mtsOKm4/VAeCYeuDjrI/AAAAAAAADpM/r72yCxlTV4k/s1600/P1070508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iDF3mtsOKm4/VAeCYeuDjrI/AAAAAAAADpM/r72yCxlTV4k/s1600/P1070508.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: A juvenile Green Woodpecker - the first juvenile to be ringed here</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VhIJGvBjX6A/VAeBwytSLtI/AAAAAAAADpE/Ou0HgBJTqZw/s1600/P1070519a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VhIJGvBjX6A/VAeBwytSLtI/AAAAAAAADpE/Ou0HgBJTqZw/s1600/P1070519a.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>Above:</strong> A Chiffchaff - this one was a little reluctant to leave my hand after being set free, allowing me a unique photograph opportunity. It soon flew off strongly when gently encouraged to do so.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-00UMWNw-1BQ/VAeDh8jeK6I/AAAAAAAADpU/OaZELv3pV9w/s1600/P1070480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-00UMWNw-1BQ/VAeDh8jeK6I/AAAAAAAADpU/OaZELv3pV9w/s1600/P1070480.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>Above:</strong> The Mute Swans in this photograph were both ringed, but only one was colour ringed (the top one) thus allowing me to read the ring no. This bird was ringed on The Embankment in Bedford last year. It represents the first Mute Swan in the database for SSNR. Until the other one is colour ringed, I probably won't get a good enough sight of the metal ring to read it.</div>
<br />
Other notables were:<br />
<br />
<strong>Treecreeper</strong> - a recapture at 344 days setting a new longevity record for the site (90 days previously).<br />
<br />
<strong>Blackcap</strong> - a British ringed control was caught on 31st August. It'll be nice to find out where this (a juvenile) came from.<br />
<br />
<strong>Reed Warbler</strong> - 3 juveniles represent the first 3 juveniles ringed on site (the only other records of this species being 2 adults in previous years. I don't think they breed on site so these must be passage migrants.<br />
<br />
<strong>Kingfisher</strong> - a single bird became the 3rd juvenile of the year (an adult was also ringed earlier in the year).<br />
<br />
As the session on 31/08/14 was my largest for the site - here are the details:<br />
<br />
Mute Swan 0 (1)<br />
Kingfisher 1 (0)<br />
Wren 2 (1)<br />
Dunnock 4 (3)<br />
Robin 0 (1)<br />
Blackbird 1 (0)<br />
Song Thrush 1 (0)<br />
Reed Warbler 2 (0)<br />
Whitethroat 2 (0)<br />
Blackcap 11 (9)<br />
Chiffchaff 4 (0)<br />
Willow Warbler 4 (0)<br />
Goldcrest 1 (0)<br />
Long Tailed TIt 11 (3)<br />
Blue Tit 21 (22)<br />
Great Tit 15 (25)<br />
Treecreeper 0 (1)<br />
Chaffinch 0 (1)<br />
Goldfinch 4 (0) - the first at this site all year (despite the food I put out)<br />
<br />
I suspect September is going to be a very good month as passage migration continues. Watch this space!<br />
BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-56527792494479845112014-08-17T13:36:00.002-07:002014-08-17T13:41:29.339-07:00A cracking day...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Yesterday, Saturday 16th August, I made a visit to Sandy Smith Nature Reserve - same as I do most weekends. Starting at the crack of dawn, I set up my nets and I was well rewarded for my efforts.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The weather conditions and time of year, all play their part in the presence (or absence) and abundance of birds and the species I might catch. This year Blue Tit juveniles have been rather thin on the ground, as have Common Whitethroats despite what appears to have been a good year weather wise for breeding. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Yesterday, the ringing results showed 2 things - no Common Whitethroats (I should still be catching them) and a marked increase in the no. of Blue Tits ringed. This increase is probably as a result of birds from 'further afield' arriving on site.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In the end, I caught 111 birds of 15 species. This being the joint highest ringing total for a single day at this site.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Of course, I took some photographs...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0jT5Q_dJ4ng/U_EADaIOMyI/AAAAAAAADoU/8QJwdaRbHws/s1600/P1070450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" closure_lm_879388="null" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0jT5Q_dJ4ng/U_EADaIOMyI/AAAAAAAADoU/8QJwdaRbHws/s1600/P1070450.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: A juvenile Jay (3rd youngster ringed this year) </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Having caught 1 Jay (2013) previous to this year, it has been a pleasant surprise to catch 5 so far this year (3 adults, 2 juvs). My main ringing area is being left to mature into (mainly Alder) woodland, with some planting to speed up the process - so perhaps this is a sign that Jays are finding the habitat more to their liking. Or they may have just found a way to take advantage of my feeding station!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VFwPTxXlwsM/U_EAuACHD_I/AAAAAAAADoc/7hBqZvczdIk/s1600/P1070445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" closure_lm_879388="null" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VFwPTxXlwsM/U_EAuACHD_I/AAAAAAAADoc/7hBqZvczdIk/s1600/P1070445.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
Above: Juvenile Kingisher (1 of 2 ringed)</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Kingfishers have been bombing around up and down the river on a regular basis throughout this year (the mild winter benefitting this species as survival is greater). Kingfisher breeding is also prone to being devastated by floods but that trouble, thankfully, has been avoided this year. Not a species I catch regularly, but two juveniles were ringed today (the brown tops to their legs giving their age away - adults have crayon red legs).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
But as the breeding season is coming to an end, I am starting to see evidence of migration in the ringing results. Migrants need places to stop and refuel before continuing their journey. They might choose a site to stop at for the habitat and food they find there or simply because they are forced down by bad weather conditions. Either way, it's that time of year. The star bird of the day - and definitely a migrant was...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KziV3c2zHOU/U_EBqaKEsRI/AAAAAAAADok/hugPwRsWAWA/s1600/P1070457a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" closure_lm_879388="null" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KziV3c2zHOU/U_EBqaKEsRI/AAAAAAAADok/hugPwRsWAWA/s1600/P1070457a.JPG" height="320" width="158" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
...this Lesser Whitethroat. It is a cracking bird in the hand. It stole star bird status away from the 2 Kingfishers, the Jay, 2 Magpies, Nuthatch, Willow Warbler and Goldcrest because it is the first of this species to be ringed at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve. The Magpies only made it onto the list because they were the 3rd and 4th to be ringed here - definitely coming to the feeders. On the last session, it was Ringer 1, Magpie 5. This time it was Ringer 2, Magpie 0 but I lost 3-5 on an aggregate score! Joking aside, that makes 3 this year - the only previous one came in 2012.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Another migrant was a juvenile Willow Warbler. The only other one I've caught this year was an adult undergoing moult (and presumably on migration too) back in June.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A juvenile Goldcrest, was the fourth of the year! This is a fairly short lived species because of their size and vulnerability in the winter to cold weather - so good winter survival and a good breeding season for this species too.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is worth mentioning Nuthatches too - they are heard near my ringing area regularly at the moment (probably 2 yesterday) and with only 1 previous to this year in 2012 and 4 so far this year they would appear to be increasing in numbers. Hopefully some retrap data will provide some more knowledge about this species use of the reserve.</div>
<br />
Kingfisher 2 (0)<br />
Wren 2 (1)<br />
Dunnock 3 (4)<br />
Robin 4 (0)<br />
Lesser Whitethroat 1 (0)<br />
Blackcap 8 (0)<br />
Chiffchaff 3 (0)<br />
Willow Warbler 1 (0)<br />
Goldcrest 1 (0)<br />
Blue Tit 18 (14)<br />
Great Tit 9 (32)<br />
Nuthatch 0 (1) - this retrap increases the site longevity for this species from 8 to 13 days!<br />
Jay 1 (0)<br />
Magpie 2 (0)<br />
Chaffinch 0 (4)<br />
<br />
I was pooped by the time I got home, but it was a cracking adventure Gromit!BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-40733163368227765902014-07-07T16:19:00.001-07:002014-07-07T16:19:36.708-07:00A year ago to the day...... I was ringing at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve and caught 51 birds of 11 species. The standout birds were a single Jackdaw and 16 new Whitethroats.<br />
<br />
Today (7th July 2014), I set about putting the same nets up in the same places (something I do almost every time I'm there). Today I ended up with 59 birds of 14 species as follows (retraps in brackets):<br />
<br />
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 (1)<br />
Wren 4 (1)<br />
Dunnock 2 (2)<br />
Robin 1 (0)<br />
Sedge Warbler 1 (0)<br />
Whitethroat 1 (0)<br />
Blackcap 9 (1)<br />
Chiff 1 (0)<br />
Goldcrest 1 (0)<br />
Coal Tit 1 (0)<br />
Blue Tit 2 (0)<br />
Great Tit 7 (21)<br />
Jackdaw 1 (0)<br />
Chaffinch 1 (0)<br />
<br />
The highlight one year later was, again, a Jackdaw - the last one I ringed was exactly a year ago today. Funny how things work out!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QejhfrHSXtQ/U7sVhKBi_bI/AAAAAAAADm0/_oQTYFGBkpQ/s1600/P1070421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_36200="null" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QejhfrHSXtQ/U7sVhKBi_bI/AAAAAAAADm0/_oQTYFGBkpQ/s1600/P1070421.JPG" height="320" width="228" wua="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: An adult Jackdaw</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lacking in numbers so far this year (and today), at SSNR, are juvenile Whitethroats. Given the weather conditions have largely been good and food prey species numerous, I can only think that either I've missed them (they're around but just not today) or more likely the heavy rain in May didn't help the breeding success for first broods. The latter may also explain why there is a lack of juvenile Blue Tits around at the moment too as, for the first time at SSNR, Great Tits are far outnumbering Blue Tits. I did, however, catch a Coal Tit today...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CphQYpwOFwA/U7sZENL5s8I/AAAAAAAADnA/1rr_80oSlw0/s1600/P1070426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_36200="null" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CphQYpwOFwA/U7sZENL5s8I/AAAAAAAADnA/1rr_80oSlw0/s1600/P1070426.JPG" height="320" width="240" wua="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: A juvenile Coal Tit (one of my favourite birds)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and a ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--74GG4VHlv4/U7sa2-Y1DtI/AAAAAAAADnM/xenIpW6fwhw/s1600/P1070424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_36200="null" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--74GG4VHlv4/U7sa2-Y1DtI/AAAAAAAADnM/xenIpW6fwhw/s1600/P1070424.JPG" height="240" width="320" wua="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: A juvenile Goldcrest</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Of course, the point of ringing on this day exactly a year later, was because it is the anniversary of the passing of my dad. I wanted time to remember that day and to remember him and give myself some time to grieve a bit. It was a nice day, I got what I wanted and I was pleased with the Jackdaw (truth be told I was hoping to catch one today).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The sale of his house is almost complete. Contracts are exchanged and Thursday 10th July is down as completion day. On Saturday, I took my last things from his house, which included this poem from my childhood:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>My Dog</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've got a dog as thin as a rail,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He's got fleas all over his tail;</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Every time his tail goes flop,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The fleas at the bottom all jump to the top!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can't tell you whether I came up with it myself or just copied it, but there's a dodgy drawing of a fat (not thin), out of proportion, dog with fleas jumping around the tail!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yesterday was the Constant Effort Site ringing at Priory Country Park. Overall numbers seem to be picking up & are certainly better than last year. A new Green Woodpecker (my favourite) was a welcome addition and the oddities came in the form of 2 juvenile Magpies (a species not often caught in mist nets here).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JzkZo3X77aA/U7skeTrpOvI/AAAAAAAADno/oVPyiFHms9I/s1600/P1070402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_36200="null" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JzkZo3X77aA/U7skeTrpOvI/AAAAAAAADno/oVPyiFHms9I/s1600/P1070402.JPG" height="320" width="240" wua="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: A juvenile Magpie</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally, I had a bit of a red letter day last week at SSNR (1st July) when I caught 3 Jays. It's unusual to catch Jays here (2 singles have been ringed previously) but I think it may become more common as the surrounding vegetation & young alders become more mature. They may also be taking advantage of my feeding routine. I think I'll let them, don't you?!?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aTWC8qon73Q/U7smQDIyRAI/AAAAAAAADn0/bQ7uE2JkKSQ/s1600/P1070390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_36200="null" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aTWC8qon73Q/U7smQDIyRAI/AAAAAAAADn0/bQ7uE2JkKSQ/s1600/P1070390.JPG" height="320" width="240" wua="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: A juvenile Jay. The fluffyness of the underparts being the giveaway to ageing this bird.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All the other Jays now ringed here (4 others) were all adults. The ringing tally was 71 birds ringed of 12 species. This included the first juvenile Reed Bunting to be ringed on site.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now that the sale of my dad's house is completing, and everything is moved, I am hopeful of having more time to update this blog. Sorry if you've been checking it to find no updates. It's been a long hard slog this year and I now hope to turn my efforts into happier endeavours. But without doubt, that will include more ringing!</div>
BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-61248283668974721002013-11-09T10:43:00.000-08:002013-11-09T10:43:06.260-08:00A few wild flowers<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I spend a good deal of my working life working to protect and improve grassland sites for wildflowers (amongst other taxa). They take a lot of looking after as we need to keep nutrient levels low enough for the wildflowers to thrive. We protect and enhance existing meadows by cutting & removing the grass once a year and removing scrub regrowth and we increase grassland areas by removing nutrient loving brambles and scrub.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I thought I'd share with you a few of the flowers I've seen this year:</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aVdWewCPb4w/Un5y_7isyOI/AAAAAAAADkM/OJFYJNWhnjo/s1600/P1060644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_22465="null" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aVdWewCPb4w/Un5y_7isyOI/AAAAAAAADkM/OJFYJNWhnjo/s320/P1060644.JPG" width="137" zsa="true" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
Above: A Bee Orchid</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lee8A2bD5J0/Un5uPHFsINI/AAAAAAAADj8/S1x5vF3bDB4/s1600/P1060641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_104868="null" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lee8A2bD5J0/Un5uPHFsINI/AAAAAAAADj8/S1x5vF3bDB4/s320/P1060641.JPG" width="207" zsa="true" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
Above: A Pyramidal Orchid (not yet fully in bloom)</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
Wild orchids are the signature species of many a grassland site and a site stuffed full of them is a sure sign that it is in healthy condition. The Bee Orchid is rarer than the Pyramidal Orchid on the site I took these photographs at.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ae6p0kJT26g/Un5tFTLw3jI/AAAAAAAADjo/KXWtCEPvdZs/s1600/P1060809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_104868="null" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ae6p0kJT26g/Un5tFTLw3jI/AAAAAAAADjo/KXWtCEPvdZs/s320/P1060809.JPG" width="240" zsa="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: Common Toadflax</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Common Toadflax is a later flowering plant that, this year, benefitted from an early cut when we removed a lot of coarse grass that would have outcompeted this plant otherwise. A colony of 30+ plants this year were the first I've ever seen. They're not flowering now but if you want a tip for things to look at this time of year, this very wet weather is good for autumn fungi forays.</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
Moving on though, a Green Wood Ringer post would not be complete without the mention of birds and ringing. There has been nothing out of the ordinary to report of late except for two good catches of birds ringed at Priory Country Park (93 and 73) and the reaching of 1000 captures for the year at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve (including the 2000th new bird for the site).</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am awaiting official reports of recoveries & controls from the Ivel Ringing Group secretary that should include a Lesser Redpoll ringed by me and controlled in Northumberland.</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
A weekend trip to my Dad's in October to clear out his loft left little time for ringing but a gap in the weather and an early start produced a nice bird.</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SFvEoEEDhcw/Un5sa9X07lI/AAAAAAAADjg/xPk_7J87Pmo/s1600/P1060838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_104868="null" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SFvEoEEDhcw/Un5sa9X07lI/AAAAAAAADjg/xPk_7J87Pmo/s320/P1060838.JPG" width="219" zsa="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: A grinning Bald Coot (my brother Mark) meets a young Sparrowhawk!</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
Enthusing other people (family, friends, the wider public) about wildlife and birds is part of what I do and I hope it makes people more appreciative of the world we live in and inspires them to take better care of it. I do my little bit by monitoring birds and taking practical action to create, protect and improve habitats. Embarrasing my little brother along the way is a rare bonus!</div>
BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-13529769503620182972013-09-22T05:28:00.000-07:002013-09-22T05:28:28.502-07:00A lengthy round up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Firstly, a quick note to say sorry about the incorrect formatting on my last post - I don't know what Blogger did, but it certainly wasn't written in one big block!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It's been a while since I posted some photogrpahs and accounts of my ringing activities. I have been out ringing, in between scattering my Dad's ashes, dealing with his stuff, bad weather and taking well earned rests!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Scattering my Dad's ashes went as well as could be hoped for. Everything went smoothly, it didn't rain although the clouds did look threatening! My dad would have liked the moody skies, the location, how we did it and that we were joined by a pair of Ravens, a Sparrowhawk and with near perfect timing and as I'd hoped, just after the last scattering - a Red Kite. He would have liked that too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I also did some ringing at my dad's house. There were few birds about but I did manage to catch 20+ House Sparrows (more than I've ringed there before in total) and a new species - Chiffchaff. Elsewhere, however, the best day started thus:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--AWCz4z0T5M/Uj7LkcGYRrI/AAAAAAAADiY/gy8YVm3daOg/s1600/P1060758a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_19815="null" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--AWCz4z0T5M/Uj7LkcGYRrI/AAAAAAAADiY/gy8YVm3daOg/s320/P1060758a.JPG" vsa="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sunrise at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve, above, on 20th August 2013. The sunrise was good as I drove into the site but as I walked round the corner carrying my equipment, I had one of those moments where you just have to stop and say 'wow' and drink in the beauty of the moment.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The day continued well with 78 birds in total (retraps in brackets):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Great Spotted Woodpecker 0 (1)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Dunnock 4 (1)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Robin 3 (1)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Whitethroat 3 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Blackcap 3 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Chiffchaff 4 (1)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Willow Warbler 6 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Coal Tit 1 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Blue Tit 5 (13)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Great Tit 3 (20)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Chaffinch 3 (1)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Goldfinch 4 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
and best of all...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VpXxNmBPKYg/Uj7Lyj4ZMyI/AAAAAAAADig/Ihlw09fDSzo/s1600/P1060780a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_19815="null" height="228" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VpXxNmBPKYg/Uj7Lyj4ZMyI/AAAAAAAADig/Ihlw09fDSzo/s320/P1060780a.JPG" vsa="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: Spotted Flycather (2nd ringing record for the site, previous being in 2011). A juvenile, presumably on migration or a local roaming around. </div>
<br />
A session previous to this, on 10th August, again at Sandy Smith NR, exactly 100 birds were caught of 14 species:<br />
<br />
Wren 4 (1)<br />
Dunnock 3 (2)<br />
Robin 1 (1)<br />
Reed Warbler 1 (0) - 2nd this year and only the third ringed for the site<br />
Whitethroat 8 (1)<br />
Blackcap 3 (1)<br />
Chiffchaff 9 (0)<br />
Willow Warbler 2 (0)<br />
Long Tailed Tit 3 (1)<br />
Marsh Tit 1 (0) - only 3rd ringed for the site<br />
Blue Tit 8 (8)<br />
Great Tit 7 (29)<br />
Treecreeper 1 (0)<br />
Chaffinch 4 (1) - there are a LOT of juv chaffinches this year!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hw6uX2_rBU4/Uj7MMXUnBMI/AAAAAAAADio/w5nuOUrtYRs/s1600/P1060725a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_19815="null" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hw6uX2_rBU4/Uj7MMXUnBMI/AAAAAAAADio/w5nuOUrtYRs/s320/P1060725a.JPG" vsa="true" width="209" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: Marsh Tit</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's been an interesting year so far at SSNR. New for year totals of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Long Tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Treecreeper and Chaffinch are all higher than in previous years (operating since 2010) whilst Redwing and Jay have been added to the ringing list this year.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last year, I set myself a goal of reaching 1000 captures at SSNR for the year (and just made it). This year, I have been keeping tabs on my progress and (adding yesterdays total of 41) I have reached 870 captures (of 30 species), putting me ahead of schedule in comparison to the previous two years.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Breaking this down into effort, I reckon I've had 1 or 2 more nets up and they've been up for longer rather than making more visits. I've also got wiser about the catching some species, but then some species are more abundant this year and some are less so. So, a bit of swings and roundabouts then!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Before reaching 1000 for this year though, I think the next milestone will be the 2000th new bird ringed as 39 more new birds are needed for this.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A quick mention for Priory Country Park - with the help of other members of the Ivel Ringing Group & visitors, we completed all 12 visits of the Constant Effort Survey. I haven't studied the results in any depth but I can tell you that overall, this is one of the worst recorded years since it started in 1992. I will put something up soon about this on the <a href="http://ivelringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ivel Ringing Group Blog</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lastly, I can now share a photograph with you from a ringing session on 7th July, 2013. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1C0mVOcjyYY/Uj7NDXhDLMI/AAAAAAAADiw/oENGBbWGaUI/s1600/P1060658a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_19815="null" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1C0mVOcjyYY/Uj7NDXhDLMI/AAAAAAAADiw/oENGBbWGaUI/s320/P1060658a.JPG" vsa="true" width="308" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: A Juvenile Jackdaw</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This is the second Jackdaw (both juveniles) ringed at SSNR following one last year (when I didn't have my camera with me). This was caught on the day my dad passed away. A day which, apart from the obvious, was a perfectly nice and enjoyable day.</div>
BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-50264899355024953252013-08-22T16:18:00.002-07:002013-08-22T16:19:25.469-07:00More recoveries and a surprise in the nets!News of other recoveries have now reached me and are as follows:
LESSER REDPOLL, ringed Sandy Smith Nature Reserve (Bedfordshire) 24/11/12, controlled Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire 05/05/13. 275 km, 162 days, NNW direction.
SISKIN, ringed Sandy Smith Nature Reserve 08/12/12, controlled Callander, Stirling 530 km, 154 days, NNW direction.
REED BUNTING, ringed Sandy Smith Nature Reserve 26/05/12, field observation Southill, (Bedfordshire) 12/04/13. 6 km, 321 days, NE direction.
A ringing session on Tuesday of this week in my normal ringing area at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve produced a surprise Spotted Flycatcher! When my photograph downloading capability has been restored, I will share a photograph with you. It was a lovely day, starting with a spectacular sunrise (also photographed), a flyover Red Kite and included ringing a number of willow warblers (always nice) and Chiffchaffs as welll as a Coal Tit and several Goldfinches. A total of 78 birds.
A days ringing at Priory Country Park on Monday produced just 23 birds on the Constant Effort Survey but did include the first Lesser Whitethroat of the year and a juvenile Woodpigeon! Also of note (but a sad occasion), I found a dead mole near the ringing area. I took a few photographs. I didn't realise they had such big teeth!
CES totals have been in the 20's for the latter half of the season (apart from one exceptional total of 51) and this year is going to go down as one of the worst in 20 + years. Just one more visit is needed to complete the full collection of 12 visits. More information about CES visit totals can be found <a href="http://greenwoodringer.blogspot.co.uk/p/blog-page.html">here</a> (or just click on the Constant Effort Survey link at the top of the page).BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-22513857688457461552013-08-06T03:53:00.000-07:002013-08-06T03:53:08.577-07:00Latest newsI'll start with the best bit of news:<br />
<br />
The original ringing details for the Siskin I caught in December last year (see <a href="http://greenwoodringer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/hot-on-heels.html" target="_blank">here for original blog post</a>) with a Bruxelles ring on it have come through.<br />
<br />
It was ringed in Wibrin, Luxembourg, Belgium on 24th February 2012 as an adult female (Euring code 6) and was recaptured by me 288 days later (on 08/08/12) at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve. A movement of 474km in a WNW direction.<br />
<br />
I'm pleased with that one.<br />
<br />
I always like to attach a few photographs but because of more 'technical issues' I can't share them at the moment. So that has stopped me sharing my other ringing news with you. A quick review of the highlights are:<br />
<br />
52 birds caught on CES visit 8 at Priory Country Park - an excellent total in a good year let alone in an average/poor year. 26 birds on CES visit 9 was more expected, but did include a juvenile Green Woodpecker.<br />
<br />
At Sandy Smith Nature Reserve my last 4 or 5 catches have all been over 50 (with one of 86). Lots of juveniles have been caught including good numbers of Great Tit, Blue Tit and Chaffinch. Juvenile Willow Warblers have been caught as well as a couple of Chiffchaffs. Juvenile Blackcaps have been caught but not in good numbers. Whitethroats have also produced a few juveniles - more than last year, but still numbers are low. A juvenile Jackdaw was a highlight. <br />
<br />
One remarkable achievement - including juveniles and adults, I have now ringed/recaptured 16 different Great Spotted Woodpeckers this year! The multiple recapture data is helping construct a good picture of what is happening locally with this species.<br />
<br />
I'll restore the picture feed, hopefully, and will have further news soon. Ta ta for now.BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-21053895791402797252013-07-21T13:37:00.002-07:002013-07-21T13:37:14.214-07:00A tribute<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SSw-IXXcy5k/UewOYA_IsRI/AAAAAAAADhA/jBte-9gioVk/s1600/Goldfinch+b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" iya="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SSw-IXXcy5k/UewOYA_IsRI/AAAAAAAADhA/jBte-9gioVk/s320/Goldfinch+b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">David Keith Green</span></strong></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">25/02/1947 to 07/07/2013</span></strong></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My dad is pictured here outside his house in the Cotswolds with a Goldfinch I had just ringed. He was always feeding the birds at his house and very much enjoyed watching them. He was particularly interested in the comings and goings (mostly the latter) of the Goldfinches.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
He died of a heart attack 2 weeks ago today. His funeral was on Wednesday 17th July 2013 at Cheltenham Crematorium where I gave this tribute to him:<br />
<br />
Some of you will recognise this tie [I am wearing] - Dad knitted it himself to show the colours of the Spanish flag and he had no hesitation in wearing it at school. Knowledge, learning and languages were some of his passions and he certainly did his best to pass them on.<br />
<br />
When we were kids, he would always speak in Spanish and by the age of 7, I was translating into English for my mum. I also remember at around the same age, marking Spanish Exam papers with him. I guess he was proud that his young son knew more Spanish than teenagers who were supposedly studying the language! The teacher in him was never far from the surface.<br />
<br />
He taught me whilst at [Cheltenham] Bournside [School & Sixth Form Centre] so I also got to see his classroom techniques that included looking at his watch and asking people what the weather was like in French or Spanish. For the next person, he'd look out the window and ask them what the time was!<br />
<br />
Since he retired, he was learning to relax and enjoy life more and actually spending some of the money he'd fought tooth and nail to hold onto! At every opportunity, he'd go on holiday abroad and I went with him to Menorca twice, Spain and Sardinia twice. I'd drag him around the bird watching sites and he'd drag me around the cultural sites. They'd always involve a lot of walking which we both enjoyed and we walked a lot of miles and we both managed to get a lot of mileage out of sharing our experiences with others.<br />
<br />
He was well known to most, if not all of you for his money saving exploits. There are too many stories under this subject to decide what to tell you about. I will share a unique moment I shared with him whilst on holiday in Sardinia this year. We were at a restaurant and he was trying to make up his mind as to whether he wanted a glass of wine or not with his meal. I couldn't believe my ears when he actually used the words (and forgive my language here) "bugger the cost!"<br />
<br />
I got my phone out and texted the news to my brother - warning him first to sit down before reading further. The reply from Mark came back to say that he was [lying down at the time] currently watching Dr Who, so anything in time and space was possible!<br />
<br />
Back in this country, he would call every Sunday to hear my news and to share his. He would regularly mention many people who are sat here in front of me today; people who he cared about and called his friends. I think that sharing life is what brings us closer together.<br />
<br />
I shall miss those phone calls, the walks and the holidays, the visits to his house, the sharing of news and much more. But most of all Dad, I'll miss you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JlysFd1pSa4/Uewh5sPMTAI/AAAAAAAADhQ/tf26P7sRRrQ/s1600/IMAG0884a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" iya="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JlysFd1pSa4/Uewh5sPMTAI/AAAAAAAADhQ/tf26P7sRRrQ/s320/IMAG0884a.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
Mark (left) and myself after the funeral wearing the ties our Dad knitted.</div>
BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-55158024109208800242013-07-03T14:48:00.000-07:002013-07-03T14:48:01.379-07:00Contrasting totals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On Friday of last week, I took the day off and, as the weather conditions were better than of late, I put up some nets at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve (SSNR). A decision that proved to be productive with 68 birds captured. 60 of these were new and 8 were retraps of 13 species. 17 were adults and 51 were juveniles.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A while back now, I saw a Jay on my feeders and a couple of others around my netting area so it was only a matter of time:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-34Fp227hW7I/UdSAd64C-SI/AAAAAAAADgI/gzethclgg8M/s1600/P1060624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oya="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-34Fp227hW7I/UdSAd64C-SI/AAAAAAAADgI/gzethclgg8M/s320/P1060624.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: The first Jay ringed at SSNR (this being the 46th species I've ringed here).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4hQ8fLtpAqc/UdSBsVKdDyI/AAAAAAAADgY/DSYpt5gvFp8/s1600/P1060619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oya="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4hQ8fLtpAqc/UdSBsVKdDyI/AAAAAAAADgY/DSYpt5gvFp8/s320/P1060619.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
Above: An adult Kingfisher.</div>
<br />
This was the first Kingfisher ringed here for nearly 2 years. Recent hard winters and the flooding of nest sites have meant this species has been in decline recently. Sightings at SSNR used to be regular along the river up to 2 years ago but have been rare of late so nice to ring one.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rU24m5uVjtg/UdSCg7gsRWI/AAAAAAAADgg/AU0xlIMRD4k/s1600/P1060630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oya="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rU24m5uVjtg/UdSCg7gsRWI/AAAAAAAADgg/AU0xlIMRD4k/s320/P1060630.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
Above: A juvenile Long Tailed Tit - one of many ringed on Friday. At 44 new for year Long Tailed Tits in 2013, this is the highest year total for the site.</div>
<br />
Totals: <br />
<br />
Kingfisher 1 (0)<br />
Great Spotted Woodpecker 0 (2)<br />
Wren 0 (1)<br />
Dunnock 2 (1) - including a juvenile<br />
Robin 0 (1)<br />
Whitethroat 0 (1)<br />
Blackcap 6 (0) - mostly juveniles<br />
Long Tailed Tit 17 (1) - mostly juveniles<br />
Blue Tit 3 (1) - mostly juveniles but surprisingly few of them<br />
Great Tit 19 (0) - mostly juveniles<br />
Jay 1 (0)<br />
Chaffinch 7 (0) - including several juveniles<br />
Goldfinch 4 (0) - including 1 juvenile<br />
<br />
In contrast, a visit to Priory Country Park on Saturday morning, CES visit 6 was carried out and produced a meagre total of 12 birds. Of note were juveniles of the following species: Great Tits, Blackcaps and a single juv Whitethroat (suprisingly absent from SSNR the day before apart from one retrap adult). What a difference a day makes - even if it is a different site.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tXCazYjMkU8/UdSTNXwzHXI/AAAAAAAADgw/5hU0Gh1N3N4/s1600/P1060632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oya="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tXCazYjMkU8/UdSTNXwzHXI/AAAAAAAADgw/5hU0Gh1N3N4/s320/P1060632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: A Juvenile Whitethroat </div>
<br />
CES totals have been low so far this year. I've started compiling totals and comparing them to previous years, but there's still a lot of work to do. We know nesting is later this year because of the cold spring weather (and therefore there has been less food), but juveniles are starting to appear and only time will tell how good a breeding year this will be. The last 6 visits will provide crucial information!<br />
<br />
Elsewhere, I saved a juvenile Green Woodpecker from being squished on the road. It may have been injured (not flying) so it was put in a safer place and left unringed.<br />
<br />
The weather for this weekend looks good (a lot less wind) so I hope to have more news.BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-49919407829992650122013-06-25T16:16:00.001-07:002013-06-25T16:16:20.482-07:00Latest news & recoveriesThe latest news is, and this comes as no surprise to you all, IT HAS BEEN VERY VERY WINDY. The jet stream being in the wrong place for the time of year (i.e. more or less over us rather than much further north) is causing the colder and windier weather to affect us, to the extent that I didn't manage any ringing last weekend.<br />
<br />
Whilst no ringing does not make a happy me, the following information does!<br />
<br />
Corn Bunting (NW59646) ringed as a juvenile at Steeple Morden, Cambridgeshire was recaptured by me at Priory Country Park on 13/01/13, 557 days later. A movement of 23 km in a WNW direction. This, to the best of my knowledge, is the first recovery of this species for Bedfordshire (there are less than 100 nationally up to 2012 according to BTO online recoveries data). A nice result.<br />
<br />
Long Tailed Tit (DPN712) ringed at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire, was recaptured by me at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve, Bedfordshire on 29/03/13, 556 days later. A movement of 26km in a SSW direction.<br />
<br />
Lesser Redpoll (Y486464) ringed at Priory Country Park, Bedfordshire, was recaptured at Bourne Wood, Lincolnshire on 13/04/13, 167 days later. A movement of 71 km in a Northerly direction. This bird was ringed on the same day as a Lesser Redpoll was controlled that had been ringed at Bestwood, South Nottinghamshire. So we now have evidence of an Autumn movement south and a northerly spring movement.<br />
<br />
In other news, we've ringed several junvenile Robins, 2 juvenile Blackbirds, a juvenile Dunnock, Chaffinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Despite it being a late breeding season (due to the weather), there must be more juveniles out there but without the right weather conditions for mist netting, this ringer won't be catching any of them!BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-80774560798162051242013-06-18T16:55:00.000-07:002013-06-18T16:55:58.978-07:00Sardinian Birds 2013 - Final installment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This will be the last in my series of photographs of Sardinian birds. I've not run out of photographs, it's just that it would get a bit repetitive if I shared any more (and really out of date!). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm also expecting the bird ringing to pick up (first juveniles of Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird, Chaffinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker have been ringed), especially as the juveniles are beginning to fledge - even if the wind is reducing the catch or preventing me from getting out at all. There is news on the ringing front to come soon, but first:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVH7G0q73L4/Ub-ESHW5deI/AAAAAAAADfA/uaqDLBgSNpU/s1600/IMG_9012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="249" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVH7G0q73L4/Ub-ESHW5deI/AAAAAAAADfA/uaqDLBgSNpU/s320/IMG_9012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: Bee-Eaters. We saw a number of these and found that they prefer cultivated land.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oobn5E3CvMo/Ub-FVXoq9uI/AAAAAAAADfQ/KfXiLYnN4Ng/s1600/IMG_9394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oobn5E3CvMo/Ub-FVXoq9uI/AAAAAAAADfQ/KfXiLYnN4Ng/s320/IMG_9394.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: Grey Wagtail. Seen by the spring at Su Goroppu (a gorge), this bird was very showy (presumably well used to lots of people as this is a very well visited site).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yMmkpwH3d94/Ub-H7vZVgyI/AAAAAAAADfo/poFJq8bf5e0/s1600/IMG_9405a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yMmkpwH3d94/Ub-H7vZVgyI/AAAAAAAADfo/poFJq8bf5e0/s320/IMG_9405a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: Grey Wagtail. The hole in the rock above the bird was, presumably, a nest site as the bird disappeared inside for more than a minute (either that or a good source of insects!).</div>
<div align="justify" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKwtJDGk810/Ub-IPF1EOCI/AAAAAAAADfw/I-klW-lNfdg/s1600/IMG_9468a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="275" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKwtJDGk810/Ub-IPF1EOCI/AAAAAAAADfw/I-klW-lNfdg/s320/IMG_9468a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above & Below: Flamingo. Strange looking birds, but nice to see in the wild. The pink in the wing is striking when seen in flight when they look almost comical!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I observed the birds appearing to scrape the bottom of the lake with their feet whilst feeding (presumably to disturb the food making it easier to catch - interesting behaviour. They also, from time to time, had arguements (either this or displaying to eachother) - puffing up the feathers on their back (almost swan like) and gesturing with their neck - occasionally making contact with bills.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o5joHwNGBig/Ub-IwOvdfQI/AAAAAAAADf4/yM3NAeng5Tw/s1600/IMG_9453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="259" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o5joHwNGBig/Ub-IwOvdfQI/AAAAAAAADf4/yM3NAeng5Tw/s320/IMG_9453.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The holiday in Sardinia started and finished with this species and is therefore a good place to end.</div>
BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-88608609656787958052013-06-01T11:43:00.001-07:002013-06-18T16:58:07.837-07:00Again with birds from Sardinia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The bird ringing is still going slow and no juveniles have been caught yet so it's no wonder that I haven't stopped looking back at my bird photographs from Sardnia just yet! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TsYgtvOQnOo/UaolnMqs8iI/AAAAAAAADcw/ZYzMyocmRaw/s1600/IMG_9163a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TsYgtvOQnOo/UaolnMqs8iI/AAAAAAAADcw/ZYzMyocmRaw/s320/IMG_9163a.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: A Wood Warbler</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This lovely little bird was awaiting us after a long walk uphill from one of the beaches we visited. We got back to the car park and were taking on board drinks when I saw it and decided to see what it was. Surprisingly, it let somebody (not me) within about a metre before flying off. I follwed it as it fed around the rocks next to the car park, bouncing around and flying from one rock to the next.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UxINhOu5UtI/UaolydpNt9I/AAAAAAAADc4/jzfMEEi8mUQ/s1600/IMG_9165a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UxINhOu5UtI/UaolydpNt9I/AAAAAAAADc4/jzfMEEi8mUQ/s320/IMG_9165a.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: A view of the rear of the Wood Warbler. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I like the way all the primaries, secondaries and tertiary feathers can all be seen, and that its head is to one side as though it's contemplating where the next meal is!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ptgBQ7lKpuo/Uaol-9dHk8I/AAAAAAAADdA/HyQK2G3fDCU/s1600/IMG_9169a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ptgBQ7lKpuo/Uaol-9dHk8I/AAAAAAAADdA/HyQK2G3fDCU/s320/IMG_9169a.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
Above: Side view of the Wood Warbler.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cR5lk75D5Q8/UaomT-yCFlI/AAAAAAAADdI/GmMqmbDYpr4/s1600/IMG_9152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cR5lk75D5Q8/UaomT-yCFlI/AAAAAAAADdI/GmMqmbDYpr4/s320/IMG_9152.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: A Firecrest</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
A terrible photograph (the bird was too close for the camera to focus!) - but none the less the bird can be identified as a Firecrest. The long walk was worth it just to see this bird! At the end of this walk was the Wood Warbler (as above).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-829ub7H08GA/UaonnIiWDcI/AAAAAAAADdU/7cFeVsYKNCA/s1600/IMG_9346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-829ub7H08GA/UaonnIiWDcI/AAAAAAAADdU/7cFeVsYKNCA/s320/IMG_9346.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
Above: A Hooded Crow</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Whilst scouring the beachfront restaurants for (cheap) places to eat, I watched this Hooded Crow walking and hopping around the rock pools. I found this to be interesting behaviour...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QyIWl6Y_xT0/Uaop73zZLnI/AAAAAAAADdg/3gx0VLLdnLk/s1600/IMG_9350a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QyIWl6Y_xT0/Uaop73zZLnI/AAAAAAAADdg/3gx0VLLdnLk/s320/IMG_9350a.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: This is the exact point when the Hooded Crow picked out a crab from the rock pool!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
On the second to last day, we went out for a pre-breakfast walk to the river in Orosei where there were plenty of birds flitting around including Cetti's Warblers, Jays, Turtle Doves and more Coot & Moorhen than we'd seen at countless other water sites.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The best find wasn't mine though as my dad got there first...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MJcRtldgWGE/Uao1H8hKSMI/AAAAAAAADeA/Yw3VLVh-xxw/s1600/IMG_9369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MJcRtldgWGE/Uao1H8hKSMI/AAAAAAAADeA/Yw3VLVh-xxw/s320/IMG_9369.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Above: How many Night Herons can you see in this photograph? You should be able to find a handful of them...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I guess it was a family party. They didn't move and it took me a while to realise there were five, but good views were had.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And that's it until next time when I'll continue the found in/near water theme.</div>
BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-19754693263788642172013-05-27T09:24:00.002-07:002013-05-27T09:24:29.956-07:00Sardinia birds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Another random selection of photographs of birds from my holiday in Sardinia (mid to late April 2013).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1X9Lu7MqaVo/UaNzloqVkGI/AAAAAAAADaw/uIUfvVAqyRk/s1600/IMG_8979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1X9Lu7MqaVo/UaNzloqVkGI/AAAAAAAADaw/uIUfvVAqyRk/s320/IMG_8979.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
Above: A Woodchat Shrike (commonly seen in Sardinia)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_iShbupmVAk/UaNzw05QM5I/AAAAAAAADa4/5BLvqkpe-UY/s1600/IMG_9098a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_iShbupmVAk/UaNzw05QM5I/AAAAAAAADa4/5BLvqkpe-UY/s320/IMG_9098a.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above & Below: A Woodlark (we only saw 2 or 3 individuals)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54IfI7GEPik/UaN3qhQNaJI/AAAAAAAADbY/MTHRnSPLTUo/s1600/IMG_9106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54IfI7GEPik/UaN3qhQNaJI/AAAAAAAADbY/MTHRnSPLTUo/s320/IMG_9106.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the top photograph, the diagnostic 'light, dark, light' patch on the edge of the wing is visible as is the eye stripe that joins at the back of the head.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aQJ4BJfOgDY/UaN3_4D5BwI/AAAAAAAADbg/qzsoKetFV1U/s1600/IMG_9108a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aQJ4BJfOgDY/UaN3_4D5BwI/AAAAAAAADbg/qzsoKetFV1U/s320/IMG_9108a.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: The Woodlark on top of the tree.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QzUX1op7eSE/UaN6ZOnQZmI/AAAAAAAADcA/4SLzp0PGP7I/s1600/IMG_9178a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QzUX1op7eSE/UaN6ZOnQZmI/AAAAAAAADcA/4SLzp0PGP7I/s320/IMG_9178a.JPG" width="168" yya="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: A male Chaffinch. Good enough to put a bookmark!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vT2y0vivvS0/UaN8pY2w8rI/AAAAAAAADcQ/8QspbkqRWew/s1600/IMG_9318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vT2y0vivvS0/UaN8pY2w8rI/AAAAAAAADcQ/8QspbkqRWew/s320/IMG_9318.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
Above: A different male Chaffinch feeding, on what I assume, are seed pods.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
If you think that a Chaffinch photograph is a little out of place amongst the other photographs of birds from Sardinia, you'd be right. But I like the way birding is random activity, especially when exploring new places. You never know when you're going to get a good photograph or see a good species. One minute you could be watching a Chaffinch, next a ...</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8DHS5D2k6QQ/UaN_vqWzB-I/AAAAAAAADcg/IO8N6POk5Pk/s1600/IMG_9141a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8DHS5D2k6QQ/UaN_vqWzB-I/AAAAAAAADcg/IO8N6POk5Pk/s320/IMG_9141a.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: Golden Oriole. This represents my best ever view of one (through the camera lens!).<br />
<br />
Arbatax (not a place I would recommend to tourists to visit) is a port (air & sea) with a large, unkempt industrial area, next to a residential area (where we stayed for a night). A walk round the area was largely uninspiring with few highlights until, on the edge of the industrial estate, a flash of yellow flew by. This eucalyptus tree, in a car park, was its destination. This was the only photograph I got but I'm glad I got it! It slinked away very quickly.<br />
<br />
I went with the procedure 'get the photograph and then look through the binoculars' (though in this case I was too late with the binoculars). I didn't see any other Golden Oriole's all holiday, so the walk was worth it!<br />
<br />
There's more to come at a later date!BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-33931966967765751362013-05-27T07:25:00.002-07:002013-05-27T07:25:44.694-07:00An Unseasonal Theme<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
In keeping with the weather of late, here are some photographs from 22nd January that I've been able to restore. Having booked the day off work to get some ringing in at home, I was outside when I heard some trilling. I looked around for the expected waxwings but didn't see them, that is, until I looked on top of my house! So I ran for the camera...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSRqiadG10s/UaNiktluP5I/AAAAAAAADZ8/aShnvxAENxU/s1600/IMG_8891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSRqiadG10s/UaNiktluP5I/AAAAAAAADZ8/aShnvxAENxU/s320/IMG_8891.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Above: Waxwings</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7LihWTqEk5s/UaNiuV3_uQI/AAAAAAAADaE/DyyJn1FfhLw/s1600/IMG_8895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7LihWTqEk5s/UaNiuV3_uQI/AAAAAAAADaE/DyyJn1FfhLw/s320/IMG_8895.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above & Below: A Waxwing on my roof!</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9gzc43WGiBM/UaNjbW72KOI/AAAAAAAADaM/6ICLE6oPsH8/s1600/IMG_8898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9gzc43WGiBM/UaNjbW72KOI/AAAAAAAADaM/6ICLE6oPsH8/s320/IMG_8898.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Okay, so I exaggerated a little when comparing the weather to today's warm and very blustery, unsettled conditions but this weekends ringing activities resulted in 2 poor catches. We're starting to see the effects of last years rain fest on the return (or lack thereof) of migrant birds and how the early spring weather has severely delayed the breeding season.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I'm allowing myself the pleasure of sharing these photographs with you. </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-adcfGCrSufQ/UaNk_qtXjuI/AAAAAAAADag/ILxrjb7-AJk/s1600/IMG_8906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-adcfGCrSufQ/UaNk_qtXjuI/AAAAAAAADag/ILxrjb7-AJk/s320/IMG_8906.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: Waxwings in the bush opposite my house.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3kn3T3tyPGo/UaNkGYbiWAI/AAAAAAAADaU/LDNHlBESGok/s1600/IMG_8902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3kn3T3tyPGo/UaNkGYbiWAI/AAAAAAAADaU/LDNHlBESGok/s320/IMG_8902.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: Waxwings in a tree opposite my house.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I didn't get to ring any as they disappeared pretty quickly, but I did get to ring a few Fieldfare...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUO49tajeCE/UaNhfz3AMiI/AAAAAAAADZk/r6HdoWsWelM/s1600/IMG_8869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUO49tajeCE/UaNhfz3AMiI/AAAAAAAADZk/r6HdoWsWelM/s320/IMG_8869.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above & Below: A Fieldfare in my garden in the snow. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgoxN2IUvBs/UaNhwLyilUI/AAAAAAAADZs/H2Pa69iUWdU/s1600/IMG_8871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgoxN2IUvBs/UaNhwLyilUI/AAAAAAAADZs/H2Pa69iUWdU/s320/IMG_8871.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
<img height="73" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9gzc43WGiBM/UaNjbW72KOI/AAAAAAAADaM/6ICLE6oPsH8/s320/IMG_8898.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 360px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 856px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" />It had come for some of the apples I had put out but found a Blackbird successfully defending the apples to allcomers!BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-74423499495633292512013-05-21T15:40:00.002-07:002013-05-21T15:40:17.029-07:00Another installment of birds from Sardinia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With quite a range of photographs to choose from, I was left wondering what to post next. I have quite a few photographs of birds from Sardinia I want to share with you, so I thought why not start with one that's named after the island.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uOv94CnXzzE/UZvl9tsotZI/AAAAAAAADXk/WRGikeyOCio/s1600/IMG_8937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uOv94CnXzzE/UZvl9tsotZI/AAAAAAAADXk/WRGikeyOCio/s320/IMG_8937.JPG" width="320" ya="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Above: A Sardinian Warbler.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the past, I've found this species very difficult to photograph as it skulks, usually on the other side of the scrub/tree it's in. They're all over the place in Sardinia and if not seen, they can often be heard. They do pop out of bushes onto prominent positions, but normally very briefly before disappearing back inside (especially if they see you!). So briefly in fact, that by the time the camera is up into position and trying to focus, that's it. Gone! And following them is normally a fruitless activity as is predicting where they might come out next!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I struck lucky with this one.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZG1wLJPGTfk/UZvmcJgDn2I/AAAAAAAADXs/_ePKrHuIZYU/s1600/IMG_8940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZG1wLJPGTfk/UZvmcJgDn2I/AAAAAAAADXs/_ePKrHuIZYU/s320/IMG_8940.JPG" width="320" ya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: A Spanish Sparrow. Common as muck here. If you're brave enough to sit outside when at a restaurant/bar, watch they don't steal your food!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fzm004O24WQ/UZvvHYUEHVI/AAAAAAAADYk/EW0ZBcHbSyc/s1600/IMG_8924a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fzm004O24WQ/UZvvHYUEHVI/AAAAAAAADYk/EW0ZBcHbSyc/s320/IMG_8924a.JPG" width="320" ya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: A Tree Sparrow. <br />
<br />
Not very common in Sardinia as far as I can tell but I did see a few individuals around the place (all in urban areas). I wasn't going to post this photograph but the mirror it was perched on made the photograph rather unusual and interesting. Pity I didn't realise at the time otherwise I would have got more of it in the shot (perhaps a reflection of me too!) but then it adds to the mistique - you can imagine for yourself what the rest of the building looked like!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHPJZjUcjT4/UZvnZFaVA4I/AAAAAAAADX8/-mH8Hbf-zAw/s1600/IMG_8949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHPJZjUcjT4/UZvnZFaVA4I/AAAAAAAADX8/-mH8Hbf-zAw/s320/IMG_8949.JPG" width="320" ya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: Is it unlucky if a Greenfinch crosses your path? I doubt it, but this one did. we even followed it for a short way. Whilst walking around this area near Villasimius, we were treated to a couple of ravens cronking & displaying in the wind. All the other pictures in this post were taken in/around the same area.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9lU_H2_xXY/UZvoEt3pK8I/AAAAAAAADYE/RZVh31TEmAA/s1600/IMG_8961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9lU_H2_xXY/UZvoEt3pK8I/AAAAAAAADYE/RZVh31TEmAA/s320/IMG_8961.JPG" width="320" ya="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Above: An obliging female Winchat. I had my scope out whilst watching this bird and got a bit of a shock when a Common Redstart popped up behind it and disappeared almost as rapidly! Winchats appeared to be relatively common in Sardinia (at least at the time I was visiting). At the waters edge (behind the Winchat) was a pair of Black Winged Stilts and we'd already been treated to several Kentish Plovers. A pleasant diversity of birds.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I wanted to leave you with something to laugh at... at least I hope you will...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qi69s_sew1s/UZvqwxGaRkI/AAAAAAAADYU/qTqwwTnVIUI/s1600/P1060375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qi69s_sew1s/UZvqwxGaRkI/AAAAAAAADYU/qTqwwTnVIUI/s320/P1060375.JPG" width="320" ya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
Upon leaving Villasimius we encountered the above traffic jam! The only one of the holiday - other than the ones we caused through slow driving! And yes, the goat on the left is relieving itself!BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-27061954998544728302013-05-19T12:29:00.002-07:002013-05-19T12:29:21.965-07:00A few teasers from Sardinia...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It's taken a while, but I've finally got some photographs to show of the birds I saw in Sardinia. Eventually I realised I'd taken the pictures in .RAW format (rather than .JPeg) and they needed converting before I was able to view, edit and present them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So, without further ado...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0j50rr_zkCU/UZkajwTOwJI/AAAAAAAADXE/Ob85_EVEA4o/s1600/IMG_9254a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" pua="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0j50rr_zkCU/UZkajwTOwJI/AAAAAAAADXE/Ob85_EVEA4o/s320/IMG_9254a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Above & Below: A male Subalpine Warbler.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYx4ZadHACg/UZka44yADgI/AAAAAAAADXM/rYl_LsarWpw/s1600/IMG_9255a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" pua="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYx4ZadHACg/UZka44yADgI/AAAAAAAADXM/rYl_LsarWpw/s320/IMG_9255a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The Subalpine Warblers were very elusive. I only saw 2 and they both showed briefly deep in scrub. I was lucky to get photographs of this one, but what a stunner!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ey9Fmic9gPc/UZkbaxQMdPI/AAAAAAAADXU/_dyisLKP8kw/s1600/IMG_9112a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" pua="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ey9Fmic9gPc/UZkbaxQMdPI/AAAAAAAADXU/_dyisLKP8kw/s320/IMG_9112a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: One of my favourite pictures from the holiday shows a female Pied Flycatcher (I only saw 2).<br />
<br />
80 + species were seen on this holiday (starting & ending with Flamingo's!). There was only one species I had never seen before (photographs of this bird to follow later), but as I'd been to Sardinia before, this wasn't a great surprise.<br />
<br />
Reflecting on the quality of birding in Sardinia, I think it is a country well worth visiting however a hire car is essential and to see a wide variety of species, you'll need to visit a good variety of habitats including costal sites, lakes (however many of the lakes seemed largely devoid of birds), scrubby sites, high mountains and urban areas. There were interesting species everywhere - including in unexpected areas. Our tactic was to go on walks (rural and urban), visit tourist places, visit lakes (mostly costal inlets & small estuaries) and stops at random places.<br />
<br />
The south east coast was good, but there are key species that we weren't able to catch up with as the north and north west are better areas according to other information available online (however this may be because it has had better coverage from serious birders). Perhaps we will go back in a future year to try and catch up with some different species (Golden Eagle, Ibis, Little Bustard) but we're thinking it will be the much cheaper option of Majorca next year.<br />
<br />
Finally, I have to apologise to my regular readers for a glaring error on my part relating to a previous post of mine (<a href="http://greenwoodringer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/stunning-sardinian-scenery.html" target="_blank">here</a>) where I told you about the 'parental abuse' pace I set whilst walking back from a Gorge in Sardinia. I was reminded and chastised by my father for failing to mention that I also forced him to carry the rucksack all the way back to the car. My shame is now complete.<br />
<br />
However, in response, I say boo hoo! You'll have to imagine the appropriate sarcastic gestures! To complete the full picture for my readers, I will have you know that I carried the bag all the way there (uphill) & around the gorge (whilst climbing rocks!), for a much longer time and with full bottles of water + binoculars and camera!<br />
<br />
It's back to photograph editing now for me (holiday & ringing) and crunching the numbers from this weekends ringing sessions (highlights being a control Whitethroat, an unseasonal Lesser Redpoll and a couple of longevity records for the site).BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-48686778968983425112013-05-11T07:32:00.000-07:002013-05-11T07:32:00.544-07:00Last weekend.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As a nice change of pace, Sunday and Monday (last weekend) were largely wind free! This allowed me to get out ringing and catch some of those summer migrants that come to breed in the UK and begin another year of Constant Effort ringing at Priory Country Park (PCP).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On Bank Holiday Monday, a visit to Sandy Smith Nature Reserve produced a tally of 40 birds of 12 species as follows (retraps in brackets). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Green Woodpecker 1 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 (4)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wren 2 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dunnock 1 (1)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sedge Warbler 3 (1)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Whitethroat 2 (5) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Garden Warbler 1 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Long Tailed Tit 0 (1)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Great Tit 1 (3)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chaffinch 6 (3)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Greenfinch 2 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Goldfinch 2 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMTJ5ZqWpQM/UY40kmSpK4I/AAAAAAAADV0/gbgk7PpuupQ/s1600/P1060561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" mwa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMTJ5ZqWpQM/UY40kmSpK4I/AAAAAAAADV0/gbgk7PpuupQ/s320/P1060561.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: A Garden Warbler. This is the 9th ringed here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rQCIrGyzIlk/UY4zbPkkEGI/AAAAAAAADVc/ydt0eXkISH4/s1600/P1060558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" mwa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rQCIrGyzIlk/UY4zbPkkEGI/AAAAAAAADVc/ydt0eXkISH4/s320/P1060558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: A Whitethroat. 2 of the retraps were ringed here in 2011 whilst the other 3 were ringed last year (all as adults). L302789, ringed on 22/04/11 set a new longevity record for the site at 2 years and 14 days.<br />
<br />
Whitethroats are the 3rd most ringed species at SSNR behind Blue & Great Tits and as long as this spring/summer proves to be a good breeding year, I expect to ring a lot more of these.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FknIrsNFHEU/UY4z_ik7ISI/AAAAAAAADVk/W1OtoKPyu7c/s1600/P1060559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" mwa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FknIrsNFHEU/UY4z_ik7ISI/AAAAAAAADVk/W1OtoKPyu7c/s320/P1060559.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: A female Greenfinch. A surprise appearance of a male and female at the feeders represents the 8th and 9th ringed here (none have been retrapped). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u0cdlmmxWVk/UY40Olcsh5I/AAAAAAAADVs/I4e_uEw7b3Y/s1600/P1060560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" mwa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u0cdlmmxWVk/UY40Olcsh5I/AAAAAAAADVs/I4e_uEw7b3Y/s320/P1060560.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Above: A Sedge Warbler. The retrap was ringed here July 2012.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5WmIhwMpgDU/UY42lK6UlnI/AAAAAAAADWI/hG6lG43uJXg/s1600/P1060566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mwa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5WmIhwMpgDU/UY42lK6UlnI/AAAAAAAADWI/hG6lG43uJXg/s320/P1060566.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: A female Green Woodpecker. Always a good day when I ring one of these! The 4th for the site.<br />
<br />
Hardly a ringing session at SSNR goes by without a Great Spotted Woodpecker being retrapped and/or ringed. One male, CW08915, doesn't get retrapped during the winter months (Nov to February) but is regularly caught throughout the rest of year. At 2 years and 46 days since it was first ringed, this bird set a new longevity record for the site. I am still hoping to catch CW08911 (the female who I think breeds with CW08915) as this bird also disappears during the winter months. <br />
<br />
Chaffinches were, surprisingly, the most numerous species. I normally catch a couple per session but I think a small change in feeder & net set up may have proved to be useful. A new longevity record for the site was set by L302734 - 2 years and 62 days. Also, a bird ringed in a field at nearby Beadlow earlier this year was retrapped at SSNR.<br />
<br />
On Sunday, I ran CES Visit 1 at PCP. Totals, including extra nets, were as follows (retraps in brackets):<br />
<br />
Wren 2 (1)<br />
Dunnock 1 (3)<br />
Blackbird 1 (2)<br />
Whitethroat 3 (3)<br />
Garden Warbler 1 (0)<br />
Blackcap 3 (1)<br />
Willow Warbler 2 (0)<br />
Long Tailed Tit 0 (1)<br />
Great Tit 1 (0)<br />
Chaffinch 1 (0)<br />
Bullfinch 1 (1)<br />
<br />
That makes a total of 16 new and 12 retraps - 28 overall. Average for CES visit 1 (including extra nets) is 30, of which 21 are normally 'new' and 9 are normally 'retraps'. Whilst the 2013 total is just short of average, the ratio of new to retrap is more in favour of the returning adults rather than recruitment of new adults. This could be a result of a poor breeding season last year. Delayed breeding and migration from the cold weather in early spring may also have a bearing here. But this is just a small sample and I'm far from being an expert!<br />
<br />
Whitethroats were the most numerous on this visit and could be seen feeding well around the area. One of the retraps was first ringed on 1st May 2011, whilst the other 2 retraps were both ringed on 13th May last year.<br />
<br />
2 of the 3 Dunnock retraps were from 2010 and the other from last year. One of the Blackbirds was ringed in 2010. The Blackcap retrap was ringed as a juvenile in July 2011. All the other retraps were from birds ringed in 2012.<br />
<br />
The best birds were 2 new Willow Warblers. The numbers ringed at this site have steadily decreased over the last 20 years to the point where last year was the first year where none were ringed at all.<br />
<br />
This weekend may prove to be too windy and/or wet for ringing, so I might post a few bird photographs from Sardninia...BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-56874181871658033942013-05-04T14:19:00.002-07:002013-05-04T14:19:43.818-07:00Stunning Sardinian Scenery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now that I'm back safely from Sardinia, I've started going through the photographs and thought I'd start with some of the stunning scenery that we saw. We flew into Cagliari in the evening and after staying one night there, we stayed at various locations on the east coast starting in the South East corner.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There was plenty to see and we certainly didn't have time to fit it all in, but the majority of the places we went were worth going back to!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1QsTJjhejt0/UYP49Uer_TI/AAAAAAAADSo/T5Uz2J09mSw/s1600/P1060530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" lua="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1QsTJjhejt0/UYP49Uer_TI/AAAAAAAADSo/T5Uz2J09mSw/s320/P1060530.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: After a walk of just under 1 hour and 30 minutes to walk about 5km (it wasn't the hardest walk that we did) from the nearest car park, we got to the Gorge at Su Gorropu. We must have spent about an hour climbing over, around and under rocks inside the gorge (where Crag Matins, Grey Wagtails, Spotted Flycatchers and Blue & Great Tits were present). Local wildlife (though we didn't see them) included extremely rare flowers (i.e. only 20 - 40 existed in the world in only this location), Peregrines & Golden Eagles and Salamanders.<br />
<br />
To completely navigate the gorge (1.5km long) would have been impossible without proper climbing gear and guides but the views we got were more than worth the walk and entrance fee.<br />
I set a fast pace on the way back to the car (mostly down hill - I couldn't have done it uphill) and we made it back in 1 hour & 5 minutes. Some of the younger & fitter people we overtook (especially on the uphill sections), must have been stunned at our pace. My dad remarked that the pace I set was called 'parental abuse' - he managed it though!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uo-ImzGj3x0/UYP5z1gBrtI/AAAAAAAADS0/IA3I6rPL7TA/s1600/P1060503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lua="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uo-ImzGj3x0/UYP5z1gBrtI/AAAAAAAADS0/IA3I6rPL7TA/s320/P1060503.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Above: This is a spring at Su Gologone. Apparently 25,000 litres of water a second can come out of this spring - even more in times of flood! The water comes from deep under the mountains. After a gruelling trek to Mount Tiscali, this was a very nice bonus. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5j2zmaHOcc/UYP-yzwu_GI/AAAAAAAADTE/BINbu7YUSag/s1600/P1060492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" lua="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5j2zmaHOcc/UYP-yzwu_GI/AAAAAAAADTE/BINbu7YUSag/s320/P1060492.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Above: We did the trek to Mount Tiscali the hard way and this is the view from an early part of the walk. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Without clear directions or map to follow (or clear signs - a real problem in Sardinia when trying to find places of tourist interest), we guessed at the best way to get there. The Sardinians would prefer that we pay proper guides to take us to Mount Tiscali but the reality is that this costs rediculous amounts of money and is largely unnecessary (unless you have money to waste and/or really need somebody else to make sure you get there). You do need to be quite fit though to constantly walk steeply up hill for an hour or more in the heat/sunshine. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Afterwards, we realised the way we chose was the most difficult and steepest!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-naOCxsXpldA/UYQDNJnayqI/AAAAAAAADTg/QHIEu6fhZcE/s1600/P1060489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lua="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-naOCxsXpldA/UYQDNJnayqI/AAAAAAAADTg/QHIEu6fhZcE/s320/P1060489.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Above: My dad climbing the route to Mount Tiscali! This was the steepest/worst bit. Had it been any steeper, rock climbing equipment would have been needed!</div>
<br />
Although we weren't following a signed route, we were on a route that was clearly used and where landrover access finished, it was marked with piles of stones. However, with a lack of signs, we got a bit lost until we came across some Sardinian walkers who kindly showed us the way. Even then it was a long trek downhill (the opposite side of the mountain from where we started) before going up again! Thankfully we made it and the trek back was on a recognised route and all downhill.<br />
<br />
In the UK, OS maps are far more detailed but we couldn't even rely on the Sardinian maps showing all the roads, let alone the footpaths!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CVCOkBf9yGY/UYQFb302ErI/AAAAAAAADTw/xs9XyO0VqFo/s1600/P1060443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" lua="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CVCOkBf9yGY/UYQFb302ErI/AAAAAAAADTw/xs9XyO0VqFo/s320/P1060443.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Above: Another tough trek through the hillside, this time to an isolated beach called Cala Goloritze - you can see all but about 5 square metres of the beach in the photo. It is favoured by the yachting fraternity as this is an alternative and easier way to reach it! Apparently, it's a very crowded beach later on in the year, but being tiny - there's little wonder why! On the way back 'uphill' 2 Firecrests made a very welcome appearance! And upon return to the car park, I found a Wood Warbler!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We visited a number of tourist attractions such as Nuragic (bronze age) villages, beaches, gorges and springs and they mostly had this in common:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You either started your walk from high up and went down a long way and then back up afterwards or you started low down and went somewhere high up and then had to come back down again (the latter being easier). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All walks had hard rocks underfoot - except where we made it onto a beach that had sand!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXWWT4cOi_o/UYQGJaCV-BI/AAAAAAAADT4/GhkmTHV_uQE/s1600/P1060406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" lua="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXWWT4cOi_o/UYQGJaCV-BI/AAAAAAAADT4/GhkmTHV_uQE/s320/P1060406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: A peaceful & picturesque site.<br />
<br />
Whilst making our (meandering) way to a specific Nuragic village, we stopped to eat our lunch at a scenic location (with so many around, stopping somewhere with little to see seemed silly). There were signs to a different Nuragic hillfort/burial place of some sort where we stopped and whilst investigating this, we stumbled across a lovely site with wild flowers, grassy areas and a variety of scrub, trees and rocks. It was like a landscaped garden only better and (presumably) natural - though there was a church and stone picnic benches around. The photograph really doesn't do it as much justice as it should.<br />
<br />
In the peaceful surroundings of this site, I managed to see and photograph a Woodlark (the first for the holiday) and a Pied Flycatcher (2nd and last of the holiday).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2ADs6Fnv7o/UYQISMo9o2I/AAAAAAAADUI/Ct4IvS4UDno/s1600/P1060364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" lua="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2ADs6Fnv7o/UYQISMo9o2I/AAAAAAAADUI/Ct4IvS4UDno/s320/P1060364.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Above: A beach at dusk near Villasimius in the South East of Sardinia. A very attractive beach and I think the sunset made it even better.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t8KoCXe6UtI/UYQJmt4iF1I/AAAAAAAADUU/eUxk4oxCTsA/s1600/P1060360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" lua="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t8KoCXe6UtI/UYQJmt4iF1I/AAAAAAAADUU/eUxk4oxCTsA/s320/P1060360.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: The beach at Villasimius from above. Between the beach and the first strip of green (on the left) is an area of water where we found several Kentish Plovers. I have found that this species likes salt water environs, beaches and dunes.<br />
<br />
You may have noticed the clouds in the last photograph - this was a regular feature of the holiday and on a couple of mornings, it rained. It was also very hazy, even when it was wall to wall sunshine. I think this was at least in part, due to the amount of dust/particles in the air as when it rained, it left a lot of dust on the car!<br />
<br />
Photographs of some of the birds I saw will follow soon.BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-37759905148843032472013-04-14T09:11:00.001-07:002013-04-14T09:11:28.530-07:00A bit of Green & Red<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Quality rather than quantity at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve yesterday before the wind stopped all ringing for the weekend (again).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
7 captures:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blue Tit = 1 retrap</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dunnock = 1 new</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chaffinch = 2 retraps</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Green Woodpecker = 1 new</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Goldfinch = 1 new</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Coal Tit = 1 new</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8lZfQt7B3Fc/UWrMD-24hAI/AAAAAAAADRU/dXnxeUBlPcI/s1600/P1060322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8lZfQt7B3Fc/UWrMD-24hAI/AAAAAAAADRU/dXnxeUBlPcI/s320/P1060322.JPG" width="309" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: An adult male Green Woodpecker<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f_bxSIj6MEA/UWrMWiszQ_I/AAAAAAAADRc/pq-hRsU1s1s/s1600/P1060324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f_bxSIj6MEA/UWrMWiszQ_I/AAAAAAAADRc/pq-hRsU1s1s/s320/P1060324.JPG" width="172" /></a></div>
<br />
Above & Below: That same Green Woodpecker. I do think they are marvelous birds. The red in the malar strip (below the eye, surrounded by black) makes this a male.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f34GtUeW33g/UWrNgDCo1hI/AAAAAAAADRk/wOxZ4u2RPTo/s1600/P1060326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="187" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f34GtUeW33g/UWrNgDCo1hI/AAAAAAAADRk/wOxZ4u2RPTo/s320/P1060326.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I love these close up head photographs of birds in 'the ringers grip'. They make great computer backgrounds!<br />
<br />
The last two weekends, I've seen the Green Woodpeckers bombing around chasing each other all over the place, high and low, through the trees, over the grassland, onto the BT poles. It's either a terratorial thing (e.g. male chasing male) and/or a breeding thing (e.g. male chasing female).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MgaCGZfg_XU/UWrN6BdpKVI/AAAAAAAADRs/vWCsk5VpLTU/s1600/P1060328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MgaCGZfg_XU/UWrN6BdpKVI/AAAAAAAADRs/vWCsk5VpLTU/s320/P1060328.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Above & Below: A Goldfinch. The facial red showing behind the eye and black nasal hairs make it a male. I mentioned in my last post it was nice to catch the first two of the year & this was the third.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6KHaXURosKw/UWrO4iv09QI/AAAAAAAADR4/nRGqBoXqLP4/s1600/P1060329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6KHaXURosKw/UWrO4iv09QI/AAAAAAAADR4/nRGqBoXqLP4/s320/P1060329.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I didn't take a photograph of it but the final bit of quality was a new Coal Tit. A Chiff Chaff was singing briefly from the tops of the trees and a lone swallow was seen heading east but that was it for summer migrants. Elsewhere on the reserve a Yellowhammer was hanging around. Some Fieldfare (around 20) were also knocking around.<br />
<br />
Unless I get some recoveries through, my next post will be in a few weeks time with photographs from Sardinia and/or CES ringing sessions news as the new season starts when I get back. Perhaps there will be a lot more summer migrants around and the wind will have died down by then?BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-7286146992384788312013-04-12T02:31:00.001-07:002013-04-12T02:33:21.016-07:00Long tails, red wings and a bit of movement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Recent ringing at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve has been largely quiet. Whilst a lot of feeding stations across the country are experiencing a large number of Redpolls, Siskins & Bramblings visiting them, mine are fairly empty (with none of the species just mentioned). It must be about Location, Location, Location, well that's how I've rationalised it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Still, the effort has been worthwhile with:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jo0O-FAn-ZE/UWfPL4IkDVI/AAAAAAAADQ4/7WbE3fJb39E/s1600/P1060284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="272" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jo0O-FAn-ZE/UWfPL4IkDVI/AAAAAAAADQ4/7WbE3fJb39E/s320/P1060284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: A controlled Long Tailed Tit. Presumably ringed locally (but a longer distance movement can't be ruled out). Hopefully I'll find out soon where it was ringed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fzDXx-wZaxY/UWfPYfkyd9I/AAAAAAAADRA/yTNBeHJhW6Y/s1600/P1060308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fzDXx-wZaxY/UWfPYfkyd9I/AAAAAAAADRA/yTNBeHJhW6Y/s320/P1060308.JPG" width="318" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: A Redwing - a new species ringed at SSNR. Just the one was caught. There is a large push of Redwings & Fieldfare at the moment, migrating back towards the east/north east as they disappear back to their breeding grounds.<br />
<br />
It was also good to ring the first two Goldfinch of the year (there has been a distinct lack of Goldfinch at my feeders for much of the last year).<br />
<br />
Final news is of a ringing report that reached me of a Great Tit ringed on 04/10/11 at SSNR and was recaptured at Chalton by another IRG ringer, Graham, 173 days later on 25/03/12. A movement of 14km SW.<br />
<br />
Our early summer migrants that come to Britain to breed have been somewhat delayed by the cold weather. Still, they've started to trickle in so there's hope to catch some this weekend (if the weather is ok). I saw a lonely Swallow last night at SSNR - there are definitely more to come!BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-41510904696527605892013-03-16T06:06:00.000-07:002013-03-16T06:06:23.178-07:00Lesser Redpoll recovery detailsBack on 28th October last year, I caught a Lesser Redpoll at Priory Country Park which already had a ring on it (not one of mine). The guided bird walk on that day, led by Dave Barnes, were lucky enough to see this bird during a ringing demo and I can now tell you where it came from.<br />
<br />
<br />
It was originally ringed on 13th October 2012 near Bestwood, Nottinghamshire. It moved a distance of 113km in a South, South East direction, within 15 days. This was evidently part of an autumn migration of birds moving south.BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-40246023907213768092013-03-12T18:08:00.001-07:002013-03-12T18:08:54.879-07:00A Weekend awayLast weekend I went to see my parents in Gloucestershire. The main reason was to drop off a mothers day card in person (hope you had a good day mum!). The secondary reason was to see my dad and do some ringing at his house on Saturday. Apart from half an hour when I had to close the nets due to rain, I did reasonably well, including adding 3 new species for this site!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLmg-ZwJ_pg/UT_Hb-QAHTI/AAAAAAAADOc/C59P2mZCgDc/s1600/P1060235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" psa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLmg-ZwJ_pg/UT_Hb-QAHTI/AAAAAAAADOc/C59P2mZCgDc/s320/P1060235.JPG" width="176" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: An adult male Sparrowhawk. This is the first male I've ringed. Last time I ringed here, a sparrowhawk escaped as I approached the net so it was nice to get one on the next attempt!<br />
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k94aXaNp6Oo/UT_G4lzH4MI/AAAAAAAADOU/DcV5Zqtg8xA/s1600/P1060251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" psa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k94aXaNp6Oo/UT_G4lzH4MI/AAAAAAAADOU/DcV5Zqtg8xA/s320/P1060251.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: A female Siskin. Like a lot of people this winter, my dad is reporting Siskins coming to his garden feeders for the first time ever (he's been there about 20 years). At least one male was around but it firmly decided against carrying a ring on its leg despite flirting with the idea several times!<br />
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VAbBsa4SMOg/UT_JPKzM0iI/AAAAAAAADOo/ezaRB6crhco/s1600/P1060257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" psa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VAbBsa4SMOg/UT_JPKzM0iI/AAAAAAAADOo/ezaRB6crhco/s320/P1060257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Above: A big, fat Woodpigeon. Enough said!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As well as the 3 new species, a retrap House Sparrow (ringed Nov 2012) was notable as the first retrap of this species (House Sparrows are notorious for being hard to recapture) and as usual for this site, a whole bunch of Blue Tits.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ringing totals for the day (retraps in brackets)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blue Tit 18 (7)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Great Tit 3 (1)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Coal Tit 2 (2)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
House Sparrow 1 (1)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Woodpigeon 1 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Siskin 1 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sparrowhawk 1 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dunnock 2 (2)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Normally I would expect the ratio of Blue Tits to Great Tits to be more even than this, but this area is unusual (at least I think so) in that the number of Blue Tits far outweigh the number of Great Tits.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been out strimming grass all week so far for work in far from ideal weather conditions. Strimming will continue until Friday, only punctuated by a day scrub clearing and burning on Thursday. I'm hoping conditions will improve, at the very least by the weekend.</div>
BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099843644968432134.post-73337512651835088052013-02-10T06:01:00.000-08:002013-02-10T06:01:13.784-08:00A new venture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After scoping out a new site (a field with a cover crop near Sandy Smith Nature Reserve) and gaining permission to ring there (thanks Chris), I had to wait a while before the weather decided to produce ringing conditions.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Whilst snow was still on the ground, I had seen at least 300 birds including species such as Reed Buntings, Linnets, Lesser Redpolls, Yellowhammers, Skylarks, Green Woodpeckers, Goldfinch, Blackbirds and Chaffinches in the cover crop. I was sure at least some of the species were catchable and could include birds ringed at SSNR.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The weather finally relented yesterday and despite the weather being a lot milder and fewer birds being about, I did well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Totals: 70 birds of 11 species comprising of 66 new and 4 retraps (retraps in brackets below):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dunnock 6 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Robin 1 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blackbird 1 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blue Tit 6 (1) - retrap ringed at SSNR 15/07/12, 209 days ago</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Great Tit 1 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chaffinch 4 (1) - retrap ringed at SSNR 24/11/12, 77 days ago</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Goldfinch 1 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lesser Redpoll 1 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Reed Bunting 41 (2) - both retraps ringed at SSNR 11/03/12, 335 days ago</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yellowhammer 3 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few record photographs:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MerrysVrBZU/UReSSR-EQ3I/AAAAAAAADK0/Y5PGnf-aU2k/s1600/P1060177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" jea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MerrysVrBZU/UReSSR-EQ3I/AAAAAAAADK0/Y5PGnf-aU2k/s320/P1060177.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: A female Reed Bunting </div>
<br />
I hadn't expected so many Reed Buntings (I didn't use binoculars or count numbers of each species when I looked at the site) but I'm not complaining... any large catch of Reed Buntings is a red letter day around these parts!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2hHzt-mEMHo/UReSpQ7iR0I/AAAAAAAADLA/A6OXy66vHJE/s1600/P1060183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" jea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2hHzt-mEMHo/UReSpQ7iR0I/AAAAAAAADLA/A6OXy66vHJE/s320/P1060183.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
Above: A male Chaffinch</div>
<br />
I had expected more Chaffinch to be about, perhaps one of the species that had dispersed since the cold snap (there were fewer Goldfinch too). I did expect to catch a retrap Chaffinch from SSNR where I have ringed 83 in the last few years and I did, albeit a recent one. If I get my timing right, I'm sure there'll be more Chaffinch to ring and retrap.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbv0L3RcObs/UReS8s3pNwI/AAAAAAAADLI/UCy4aMlKmoA/s1600/P1060188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" jea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbv0L3RcObs/UReS8s3pNwI/AAAAAAAADLI/UCy4aMlKmoA/s320/P1060188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
Above: A male Reed Bunting</div>
<br />
From 10 birds ringed at SSNR in the few years, it was nice to retrap 2 of them - both ringed at the same time on the same day. With no retrap records for either site for this species prior to yesterday, the second of the 2 is now the longevity record for both sites by virtue it was recaught a couple of hours later than the first.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w37Zfd5wujM/UReTw00uWYI/AAAAAAAADLU/Aivw2ZFXLUA/s1600/P1060192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" jea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w37Zfd5wujM/UReTw00uWYI/AAAAAAAADLU/Aivw2ZFXLUA/s320/P1060192.JPG" width="221" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: A Blue Tit </div>
<br />
Catching Blue Tits I'd ringed at SSNR was inevitable really. They must pass between my feeders at SSNR and the residents feeders at Beadlow - they're only a kilometre apart. The retrapped bird was only retrapped for the first time, perhaps showing it prefers the feeders at Beadlow!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFBIXo1zRoI/UReUH3rxWFI/AAAAAAAADLc/u-Va1YCeu1M/s1600/P1060201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" jea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFBIXo1zRoI/UReUH3rxWFI/AAAAAAAADLc/u-Va1YCeu1M/s320/P1060201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: A Great Tit</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The nets weren't in the ideal position for catching passing Blue & Great Tits but that obviously didn't matter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jx7xvpyEUlM/UReV7HDfePI/AAAAAAAADMA/U8l0svdO6l4/s1600/P1060203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" jea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jx7xvpyEUlM/UReV7HDfePI/AAAAAAAADMA/U8l0svdO6l4/s320/P1060203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
Above: A female Yellowhammer</div>
<br />
I have ringed Yellowhammer before (East Yorkshire & Cambridgeshire) but have never caught my own. Yellowhammers have been declining rapidly since the 1980's and may well continue to do so. You can read more about the decline of Yellowhammers on the BTO website <a href="http://blx1.bto.org/birdtrends/species.jsp?year=2011&s=yelha" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_GMOHPqCDw/UReWZHEzoEI/AAAAAAAADMI/aXcnkHZfhU0/s1600/P1060211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" jea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_GMOHPqCDw/UReWZHEzoEI/AAAAAAAADMI/aXcnkHZfhU0/s320/P1060211.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: A male Lesser Redpoll</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had hoped for a few more of these, but given the milder conditions and location of my nets, this wasn't altogether a surprise.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1Ygax06J60/UReXudQ86MI/AAAAAAAADMo/FhzosMcN1Fo/s1600/P1060215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" jea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1Ygax06J60/UReXudQ86MI/AAAAAAAADMo/FhzosMcN1Fo/s320/P1060215.JPG" width="280" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: A Goldfinch</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Goldfinch I had seen before on this site must have dispersed as a lot fewer were seen this time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zVeBRgZvo_0/UReYRcJ9AqI/AAAAAAAADMw/le04XRgECSA/s1600/P1060219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" jea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zVeBRgZvo_0/UReYRcJ9AqI/AAAAAAAADMw/le04XRgECSA/s320/P1060219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
Above: A Robin</div>
<br />
I'd only seen one Robin here and I saw it collecting nesting material and taking it back to an ivy clad tree. Perhaps this was the one I saw?<br />
<br />
Today, the weather has worsened (yet again) so it's chores, chores, chores.... and preparing the equipment for the next ringing session. I have a few pleasant diversions such as remembering yesterdays session, playing the X Box and the England rugby match is on later (though whether this is a pleasant diversion depends on the result!).BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0