The next generation of Spanish Ringers???

[tchagra]

Hi All

Just had to send this shot in,as is typical of our all night sessions in the ringing group in S.W.Spain.

You should note how young everyone appears in this shot and the earlier pix ,a pity it is not the norm in UK now,perhaps the Brits have something to learn from the " Continentals"!!!

Your Spanish correspondent

[crackadee]

Hi Tchagra

I'm just starting to train in sunny Peterborough, so it's very interesting reading about your activities in Spain. Last week there were still plenty of Reed and Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps (mainly juveniles) about on the CES site (which is mainly willow scrub/reedbed), plus just one Sedge Warbler and an adult Lesser Whitethroat.

Though the weather's rather different here, we trap juvenile Kingfishers too!

[tchagra]

Hi Crackadee

Really pleased to hear you have just started to train,keep up the good work.

I thought you all had a pretty good summer this year too,although not always the norm as here!!!!

Very nice shot of the juv kingfisher,I am lucky to have a number of river valley sites so usually get to ring 20 + every year,how about you?

Sadly to say,we dont get lesser whites down our way as their migration routes take them well east of us,but one day you never know!!!!

Youe Spanish Correspondent

[crackadee]

Hi Tchagra

Yes, I suppose we did have quite a good summer really!

I've just looked at previous annual ringing reports re: Kingfishers... 2 were processed in 2000, 7 in 2001, and 10 last year. So a good upward trend, it would seem, though I'm not sure about this year.

The CES site is right next to the River Nene, but it's mostly willow scrub with some mature alders and reedy bits (and very squelchy underfoot). One of the nets is set over a dyke (with boardwalk underneath it), which was productive last year but has been less so this year because it's become overgrown.

My trainer, Chris, also has a second CES site a few km NW of Ferry Meadows. This year he processed a Danish-ringed Nightingale and a Italian-ringed Lesser Whitethroat there!

Here's a not-very-good pic of the FM Lesser Whitethroat for you.

[tchagra]

Hi Crackadee

Sounds like a good couple of sites. CES is very important to the ringing scheme in the UK.

Dont fall off the boardwalk into the dyke,been there and done that in my trainee days,very wet and cold for the rest of the ringing session,oh happy days!!!!!

Chris who???? I may know him,whats his surname???

Dont want to get picky,but he controlled (not processed ) the foreign birds.You will be processing the new birds.,and if you find a bird dead with someonelses ring on it,you will have recovered it.

Anyway.,good news about the kingfisher numbers,mild winters and less pollution in the rivers and hence also more fish etc., perhaps may be helping their survival rates.

Not sure what the fertilizer/pesticide etc run off is like your way though from the surrounding farmland,not such a good thing.

Good luck with the ringing and keep at it,everyday we all go out and trap the birds is a great experience and an upward learning curve,no matter how many years we have been at it,nature is not in little boxes all neat and tidy,it always has surprises in stall for us!!

Hasta Lleugo

Ricardo

[crackadee]

Hope it's on there this time...

[Geraldine]

Hi Crackadee,
Fabulous Kingfisher photo. How wonderful to look so closely at such a beautiful bird.
Hi Ricardo,
At Sandwich Bay Observatory, which is where I hope in the future to learn about ringing, they teach children from, I believe, ten or eleven upwards. I don't know exactly, but I enquired if I could bring my grandson who is eleven to learn when I start, and they said yes. :hippy:

[crackadee]

Hi Tchagra/Geraldine

I've never fallen off the boardwalk YET (touch wood), though the vegetation has tripped me up on a couple of occasions and invisible tree stumps have been responsible for many bruised shins...

Re: processing/controlling - I knew that really, it's just that it's been a long day... ;)

Chris Hughes is training me (or he will be officially once I receive the forms from the BTO). I know he's been to Gibraltar a few times and I think he's going to Spain next month or something.

Ringing is fascinating but bloody hard work - I've got a long, long way to go but I'm looking forward to it!

Here's another pic (taken by Chris). This male Green Woodpecker was fighting his way out before he was grabbed. He made a big hole in the net!

[tchagra]

Hi Geraldine

Sandwich Bay is a great place to start ringing,great bunch of people there

I did my peer trainers review there a few years ago when the old obs.was still in operation.

Please send my regards to Peter Findley et al if they are still there and tell him the plastic rulers are still working fine.

Hasta Manaña

Ricardo

[tchagra]

Hi Crackadee

Chris Hughes and I go back a number of years together,he is a good friend and a great person to start your training with.

He and another ringer are staying at my apt.in Oct for about 10 days and taking part in my Spanish ringing programme.

Small World!!!!!!

Hasta Manaña

Ricardo

[Geraldine]

Hi Ricardo,
Only just spotted your reply, sorry. We spent most of the weekend at Sandwich Bay Observatory, firstly seeing the Deaths Head Hawk Moth (amazing), then bird watching on Sunday, which James has written up a report on. I got up my courage, and volunteered us to help with ringing. We are going along on Friday morning, early, just to carry bags etc., to start with, but we'll be watching which is the main thing. James is getting quite keen on the idea too, now, which is great.
On Sunday I held a Willow Warbler and released it, which was very exciting for me. I have held birds before, usually fledgelings fallen from nests, with all the attendant problems of, 'what do I do about this?' This was the first bird I've just stopped to chat with, and then watched fly away. Thanks for all your encouragement.