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Ringing near Gifford : winter 06-07 (1 Viewer)

citrinella

Well-known member
Winter ringing has started again on farms around Gifford. Methodology is changing slightly. The three main sites continue as before. The wild bird cover at site 1 will probably only be visited occasionally on an ad hoc basis : either opportunistically or filling in when visits to regular sits become too close together. Currently there is a lot of spoiled grain dumped here, if that draws a lot of birds, we will probably pay a visit.

Over the next 2 years we are intending to develop a new site (site 4) where wild bird cover will be supported by a deliberate programme of ground feeding. This winter there is no wild bird cover, so it will be a ground feeding station only.

Dave Aiton has joined us this winter. In line with his interests we hope to conduct a little more whoosh netting (targetting linnet and skylark).

This extra effort in other areas is likely to mean less effort spent on catching house sparrows in my steading. Last winter we caught 46 individual birds. I intend to repeat that sort of effort at intervals to give some indication of population changes.

We ringed at site 2 on 29/10/06, catch below. Many thanks to all concerned.

Blackbird new 2
retrap
Blue tit new 2
retrap
Dunnock new 4
retrap
Great tit new 3
retrap
Greenfinch new 1
retrap
Wren new 2
retrap
Yellowhammer new 4
retrap 2
TOTAL new 18
retrap 2

Also seen/heard at site 2 :
Several skeins of pink footed geese, largest c.180, most uncounted but about 50.
Buzzard
Tawny owl
Greater spotted woodpecker
Treecreeper
Fieldfare
c.15 Redwing
Skylark
Grey wagtail
Robin
c.12 Siskin
Chaffinch
Brambling
Goldfinch
Linnet
Bullfinch
Reed bunting

3+ roe deer

Nearby : 10 Grey partridge
Chief ringer saw a Barn owl at Colstoun Mains

Highlights around site 1 :
Buzzard
Kestrel
12 Grey partridge
0 Golden plover (yes, I am reporting none - a surprise to me)
Jay
several small groups of skylark
65 linnet on wild bird cover
flock of chaffinch feeding on beech mast just down the road - no white bums (brambling) evident
generally, finches and bunting still well scattered.

Mainly forgetting corvids, game birds, gulls pigeons and tits.

Mike.
 
Ringing at site 1, wild bird cover on 4/11/06. Many thanks to all concerned.

Dunnock new 9
retrap
Song Thrush new 1
retrap
Wren new 1
retrap

and in my steading
House sparrow new 1

Total new 12
retrap 0

Also seen/heard around ringing site, counts indicate most at any one time :
33 Golden plover
Buzzard
Grey partridge (uncounted covey)
11 Skylark
Robin
Chaffinch
12 Linnet
Reed bunting
7 Yellowhammer

and 4 Roe deer, several hares

extras around my steading

Greater spotted woodpecker
7 starling
5 Grey partridge (Friday evening)
Blackcap (m)
2 Goldcrest
Greenfinch

and in beech trees just down the hill
Brambling (m)
giving good views, but flying away showed no white on the rump at all

Mainly forgetting corvids, game birds, gulls, pigeons and tits.

Commuting to Western General Hospital (Edinburgh) recently it has struck me how few pyat (magpie) I am seeing. There are quite a few, but normally at this time of year I am seeing groups in these places of 3+, commonly 6 or 7, sometimes into double figures. this year, mainly singles.

Mike.
 
Ringing at site 3 on 12/11/06. Many thanks to all concerned.

Blackbird new 4
retrap 3
Blackcap new 2
retrap
Blue tit new 7
retrap
Dunnock new 4
retrap
Robin new 1
retrap 1
Tree sparrow new 1
retrap
Wren new 1
retrap
Yellowhammer new 1
retrap
TOTALS new 21
retrap 4


Also seen/heard around ringing site, counts indicate most at any one
time :
2 Buzzard
Sparrowhawk
Tawny owl
53 Pinkfeet (bigger skeins but not counted)
Heron
Greater spotted woodpecker
Jay
Mistle thrush
15 Fieldfare
Meadow pipit
Pied Wagtail
Bullfinch
Brambling
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Siskin
Reed bunting


Around my steading :

5 and 11 Grey partridge (Friday night)
150-200 Fieldfare in the field behind my house (Saturday).
Goldfinch have returned to the feeders.

Mainly forgetting corvids, game birds, gulls, pigeons and tits.

Mike.
 
citrinella said:
Ringing at site 3 on 12/11/06. Many thanks to all concerned.

Blackbird new 4
retrap 3
Blackcap new 2
retrap
Blue tit new 7
retrap
Dunnock new 4
retrap
Robin new 1
retrap 1
Tree sparrow new 1
retrap
Wren new 1
retrap
Yellowhammer new 1
retrap
TOTALS new 21
retrap 4


Also seen/heard around ringing site, counts indicate most at any one
time :
2 Buzzard
Sparrowhawk
Tawny owl
53 Pinkfeet (bigger skeins but not counted)
Heron
Greater spotted woodpecker
Jay
Mistle thrush
15 Fieldfare
Meadow pipit
Pied Wagtail
Bullfinch
Brambling
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Siskin
Reed bunting


Around my steading :

5 and 11 Grey partridge (Friday night)
150-200 Fieldfare in the field behind my house (Saturday).
Goldfinch have returned to the feeders.

Mainly forgetting corvids, game birds, gulls, pigeons and tits.

Mike.



I do so enjoy your ringing posts, Mike. Have you entirely stopped posting to ukrb? I only drop in here occasionally so I was thrilled to see this.

Tina
 
Christina said:
I do so enjoy your ringing posts, Mike. Have you entirely stopped posting to ukrb? I only drop in here occasionally so I was thrilled to see this.

Tina
Hi Tina,

Thanks for your encouragement. Hope your spugs are doing well. We caught 46 individuals in my steading last winter which I was pleased with. Guess there are a few more. A good recovery from the estimated three individuals at one point in the early 90s.

Yes, no more posts to ukrb, or scot.birds. Too little of interest / too much dross to be worth looking there.

Keep well, Mike.
 
Ringing at site 1 on 26/11/06. Many thanks to all concerned.

Blackbird new 2
retrap
Blue tit new 1
retrap
Chaffinch new 5
retrap 4
Dunnock new 4
retrap
Goldcrest new 1
retrap
Great tit new 4
retrap
Robin new 1
retrap
Woodpigeon new 1
retrap
Wren new 2
retrap
Yellowhammer new 5
retrap 2
TOTAL new 26
retrap 6


Also seen/heard around ringing site :
Cormorant
Tawny owl
Greenfinch

Around the farm (Saturday) :
Buzzard
5 Grey partridge
20 Fieldfare
Goldfinch
Siskin
6 reed bunting
small flocks of chaffinch / yellowhammer

Around site 3 on Sunday
Buzzard
Sparrowhawk
Loads of Jays
Long-tailed tits
Greenfinch
Goldfinch

A birder resident here reports a mistle thrush singing recently.

Mainly forgetting corvids, game birds, gulls, pigeons and tits.

Mike.
 
Ringing at site 2 on 2/12/06. Many thanks to all concerned.

Blackbird new 2
retrap
Blue tit new 2
retrap 2
Chaffinch new 1
retrap
Dunnock new 2
retrap 1
Greenfinch new 2
retrap
Robin new 1
retrap
Yellowhammer new 8
retrap 3
TOTAL new 18
retrap 6


Also seen/heard around ringing site :
Buzzard
Tawny owl
Pink footed geese
Grey partridge
Skylark
Redwing
Goldcrest
Bullfinch
18 Linnet
Redpoll
Reed bunting

with 60-80 chaffinch in a nearby hen-run.

Also, round the farm (site 1) :
4 Grey partridge
5 Fieldfare
5 skylark
Goldfinch
18 Linnet

On Sunday,
site 1 :
4 Grey partridge (as above)
40-50 mixed finches / buntings at feeding station
new feeding station cleaned up at last, buzzard present

site 3
Sparrowhawk
50-100 mixed finches / buntings

Some perspex protectors for the house martin nests broken in the night by the wind (won't matter). Took tractor and chain on my feeding round in case I had to clear branches / trees off the road - surprised, no need.

Mainly forgetting corvids, game birds, gulls, pigeons and tits.

Mike.
 
Ringing at site 3 on 8/12/06. Many thanks to all concerned.

Blackbird new 1
retrap 1
Blackcap new 1
retrap
Blue tit new 9
retrap
Chaffinch new 2
retrap
Dunnock new 1
retrap 2
Great tit new 2
retrap
Greenfinch new 1
retrap
House sparrow new 13
retrap
Robin new
retrap 4
Tree sparrow new 5
retrap
Yellowhammer new 16
retrap
TOTALS new 51
retrap 7

Also seen/heard around ringing site :
Buzzard
Kestrel
Tawny owl 3+
Golden Plover
Woodcock
Mallard
Pink footed geese
Jay
Magpie
Greater Spotted Woodpecker 2+
Meadow Pipit 2
Fieldfare
Redpoll
Reed bunting

Site 4 (developing feeding station) had
c.60 fieldfare with a few redwing
Goldcrest
Chaffinch
Yellowhammer

Also, round the farm (site 1) :
Buzzard
Fieldfare, 30-40 and 15
Skylark
Greenfinch
Chaffinch
Wren

At the feeding station
5 swans over
50+ Yellowhammer
10+ chaffinch
Goldcrest
Blackbird
Dunnock
Robin
Reed bunting

Been hearing Golden Plover a lot in the (dark) evenings this week.

Mainly forgetting corvids, game birds, gulls, pigeons and tits.

Mike.
 
Ringing at site 1 on 17/12/06. Many thanks to all concerned.

Blackbird new 1
retrap
Chaffinch new 16
retrap 5
Dunnock new 2
retrap 3
Redwing new 1
retrap
Robin new 3
retrap 1
Yellowhammer new 18
retrap 8
TOTAL new 41
retrap 17

Also seen/heard around ringing site :
Buzzard
Tawny owl
Pink footed geese
Grey partridge
Skylark

2 Buzzard and
Flock including
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Yellowhammer
Reed bunting
at nearby wild bird cover

On Saturday had approx 200 finches and bunting, 1 redwing at this site.

Caught in my steading
House Sparrow new 1

Also seen/heard round steading
Kestrel
4 Grey partridge
Fieldfare
Grey wagtail
Numerous greenfinch, goldfinch, chaffinch.

Site 4 (developing feeding station) had
c.30 fieldfare
c.20 Yellowhammer

Plover survey Sunday afternoon
8 Golden Plover
30-40 Goldfinch on stubble with heavy infestation of groundsel
2 Grey partridge, same stubble - 5 greys here last survey
Kestrel

Mainly forgetting corvids, game birds, gulls, pigeons and tits.

Mike.
 
Three ringing sessions have occurred over the holiday period. Many thanks to all concerned.

Ringing at site 3 on 2/1/07:

Blackbird new 4
retrap 1
Blackcap new
retrap 1
Blue tit new 4
retrap 2
Dunnock new 4
retrap 1
Robin new 1
retrap 2
Tree sparrow new 6
retrap 1
Yellowhammer new 11
retrap 6
TOTALS new 30
retrap 14

Also seen/heard around ringing site :
Buzzard
Tawny owl
Pink footed geese
Mallard
Heron
Greater Spotted woodpecker
House sparrow
Meadow pipit
6 Redwing
Fieldfare
Jay
Bullfinch
Redpoll
Siskin
Reed bunting

A nuthatch has been seen in a garden nearby recently. Another has been seen at W.Saltoun.

Ringing at site 4 (new site) on 27/12/06:

Blackbird new 2
retrap
Blue tit new 2
retrap 1
Bullfinch new 1
retrap
Chaffinch new 1
retrap
Reed bunting new 1
retrap
Yellowhammer new 11
retrap 2
TOTAL new 18
retrap 3

Ringing at site 2 on 23/12/06:

Blackbird new 3
retrap 1
Blue tit new
retrap 3
Chaffinch new 6
retrap
Coal tit new 1
retrap
Dunnock new 1
retrap 1
Reed bunting new 1
retrap
Tree sparrow new 1
retrap 1
Wren new 4
retrap 2
Yellowhammer new 4
retrap 1
TOTAL new 21
retrap 9

As I was away, I don't have a list of observations for the latter two sessions.

Other recent observations :
50-100 fieldfare feeding on hawthorn at site 1 for about the last two weeks
other small flocks of fieldfare and redwing moving around
I have heard reports of 1500 fieldfare and 2000 redwing near E.Saltoun

At one of the latter visits, 100+ yellowhammer at site 1.
40 linnet, few greenfinch, chaffinch, goldfinch, 20+ yellowhammer at one patch of wild bird cover.
10 then 6 linnet at another patch of wild bird cover.
Numerous kestrel and buzzard sightings, occasional sparrowhawk.

Around my house
Kestrel (every day, and in a box in my hay shed).
4 & 10 Grey partridge
22 redwing
50+ chaffinch, few greenfinch, goldfinch.

An otter has been killed on the road near my house.

Mainly forgetting corvids, game birds, gulls, pigeons and tits.

Oct-Dec ringing - numbers down again on previous years despite having ringed twice as many yellowhammer as ever before. I wonder if the abundance of most kinds of wild seeds means that most birds are still well dispersed. For instance, I am seeing plenty chaffinch scattered around, including some significant flocks on beech mast. Are yellowhammer more dependant on cereal grain, which is not abundant this year (e.g. because wild bird cover has not done well), so they are coming to the feeding stations where we ring ?

We are concerned about the apparent lack of reed bunting.

Have a good New Year :) Mike.
 
Mike

Last winter we had up to 12 Reed Bunting underneath the feeders, this year none so far although we can see them feeding off the Phragmites heads in the reedbeds. I think the answers the same one as in your comment, there's still plenty of natural food around for them!.
 
Ringing at site 1 on 6/1/07:

Blackbird new 1
retrap
Chaffinch new 7
retrap 3
Dunnock new 2
retrap
Great tit new 1
retrap
House sparrow new 1
retrap 1
Robin new 2
retrap 4
Song Thrush new 1
retrap
Yellowhammer new 3
retrap 6
TOTAL new 18
retrap 14


Also seen/heard around ringing site :
Buzzard
Barn owl (2 sightings)
Skylark 2
Fieldfare 6 & 10
Mistle thrush
Greenfinch
Reed bunting

Around my house
Pink footed geese over - 2 small skeins
Greater Spotted Woodpecker
c.100 fieldfare on holly in my garden and the wheat beyond
30+ chaffinch, few greenfinch, goldfinch, yellowhammer

Site 4
c.100 fieldfare
15+ yellowhammer

Mainly forgetting corvids, game birds, gulls, pigeons and tits.

Mike.
 
Too windy for outside mist netting. Whoosh netting on my lawn failed to catch anything. Mist netting was possible in my steading.

Ringing at site 1 on 14/1/07:

House sparrow new 4
retrap 3
Wren new 1
TOTAL new 5
retrap 3


Also seen/heard around over the last few days :

Around site 1
Buzzard
Kestrel
Skylark
Fieldfare, numerous small flocks 2-30
Redwing
Blackbirds
Mistle thrush
Greenfinch
Linnet
Yellowhammer 100++ at feeding station with a few chaffinch.

At site 3
50+ finches / bunting including chaffinch, greenfinch, but mainly yellowhammer

Colstoun Mains last week c. 35 Peewit
Western General Hospital recently - frequent grey wagtail on Neuro-oncology roof.

Mainly forgetting corvids, game birds, gulls, pigeons and tits.

A few slates and tiles of, many bits of trees down locally, but really surprised by how little damage has resulted from recent gales.

Mike.
 
No plovers found on 21/7/07 for the BTO Winter Plover survey.

As well as observations below, 2 buzzard sightings; numerous small flocks of fieldfare; 3, 5, and 4 Grey partridge coveys which I think started the winter as 5, 10, and 5 respectively.

Ringing at site 3 on 21/1/07. Many thanks to all concerned.

Blackbird new 6
retrap 1
Blue tit new 4
retrap
Chaffinch new 3
retrap
Dunnock new
retrap 3
Great tit new 1
retrap
Robin new 1
retrap 1
Tree sparrow new 1
retrap
Yellowhammer new 9
retrap 5
TOTALS new 25
retrap 10

Also seen/heard around the ringing site :
Tawny owl
Barn Owl
Buzzard
Starling
Greater Spotted woodpecker (3+)
Meadow pipit
Redwing
House sparrow
Greenfinch
Siskin
Bullfinch (2)
Redpoll (2)
Reed bunting (2)

At this site the previous day (Saturday) 200+ chaffinch, probably explained by major tree felling in adjacent wood. Also many yellowhammer.

Also seen/heard around over the last few days :

Around site 1
Buzzard
Skylark 15+ on managed area 2 at feeding station
Fieldfare, 200+ spread out along hawthorn hedges and adjacent fields
Yellowhammer 100++ at feeding station with a few chaffinch.

In my garden :
Greater spotted woodpecker
c. 15 Chaffinch
8-10 Greenfinch

Mainly forgetting corvids, game birds, gulls, pigeons and tits.

Mike.
 
Ringing at site 1 skylark feeding station on 28/1/07. Many thanks to all concerned.

Skylark new 1

Also seen/heard around the ringing site :
Golden Plover
Grey Partridge

Ringing at site 1 main feeding station on 27/1/07. Many thanks to all concerned.

Chaffinch new 5
retrap 2
Dunnock new 1
retrap
Robin new
retrap 2
Yellowhammer new 3
retrap 1
TOTAL new 9
retrap 5

Also seen/heard around the ringing site :
Tawny owl
Pink footed geese
Golden Plover
Skylark
Blackbird

Also small groups of Fieldfare around the farm.


Ringing at site 2 on 27/1/07. Many thanks to all concerned.

Blue tit new 3
retrap 1
Chaffinch new 8
retrap
Dunnock new 3
retrap 2
Great tit new 1
retrap
Reed bunting new 8
retrap
Robin new 4
retrap 1
Wren new
retrap 1
Yellowhammer new 10
retrap 2
TOTAL new 37
retrap 7

Also seen/heard around the ringing site :
Buzzard
Tawny owl 2
Blackbird
4 Song thrush or Redwing - not differentiated
5-10 Greenfinch
c. 15 Linnet
Bullfinch


Mainly forgetting corvids, game birds, gulls, pigeons and tits.

Mike.
 
Ringing at site 2 on 3/2/07. Many thanks to all concerned.

Blackbird new
retrap 1
Chaffinch new 2
retrap
Dunnock new
retrap 2
Linnet new 1
retrap
Long tailed tit new 2
retrap
Redwing new
retrap
Reed bunting new 2
retrap
Robin new 6
retrap
Yellowhammer new 2
retrap 2
TOTAL new 15
retrap 5

Also seen/heard around the ringing site :
Tawny owl
Pink footed geese
Grey Partridge (2 then 5 - might have been the same birds)
Greater spotted woodpecker 2+
Skylark
Song thrush 2+
Greenfinch
35-40 linnet


Also seen/heard around site 1 :
at the main feeding station :
Buzzard
Blackbird
Chaffinch 20-30 (suspicion of a white rump amongst them)
Greenfinch
Yellowhammer 30+
Reed bunting

At the lark feeding site :
4 Skylark

At the lark managed set-aside (small amount of rape being fed just now) :
Buzzard
20-30 Skylark
6 Reed bunting


At site 4 :
Buzzard
10-15 chaffinch
10-15 yellowhammer


At site 3
Buzzard
House sparrow 6+
Tree sparrow 2
Chaffinch 15-20
Greenfinch
Yellowhammer 30-40

Mainly forgetting corvids, game birds, gulls, pigeons and tits.

Mike.

P.S. Barn owl at site 3 this morning (Monday).
 
citrinella said:
Ringing at site 2 on 3/2/07. Many thanks to all concerned.

Blackbird new
retrap 1
Chaffinch new 2
retrap
Dunnock new
retrap 2
Linnet new 1
retrap
Long tailed tit new 2
retrap
Redwing new
retrap
Reed bunting new 2
retrap
Robin new 6
retrap
Yellowhammer new 2
retrap 2
TOTAL new 15
retrap 5

Also seen/heard around the ringing site :
Tawny owl
Pink footed geese
Grey Partridge (2 then 5 - might have been the same birds)
Greater spotted woodpecker 2+
Skylark
Song thrush 2+
Greenfinch
35-40 linnet


Also seen/heard around site 1 :
at the main feeding station :
Buzzard
Blackbird
Chaffinch 20-30 (suspicion of a white rump amongst them)
Greenfinch
Yellowhammer 30+
Reed bunting

At the lark feeding site :
4 Skylark

At the lark managed set-aside (small amount of rape being fed just now) :
Buzzard
20-30 Skylark
6 Reed bunting


At site 4 :
Buzzard
10-15 chaffinch
10-15 yellowhammer


At site 3
Buzzard
House sparrow 6+
Tree sparrow 2
Chaffinch 15-20
Greenfinch
Yellowhammer 30-40

Mainly forgetting corvids, game birds, gulls, pigeons and tits.

Mike.

P.S. Barn owl at site 3 this morning (Monday).
I'm pleased to see the Reed Bunting are starting to turn up now!. Things must be getting a bit harder in the reedbeds?.
A few are starting to show up under our feeders now!. No Siskin or Brambling yet though!.
 
Last edited:
Hi Alan,

Don't think reedbeds are that common (though there is one) hence important for reed bunting in our area. More likely a reflection of exhaustion of wild bird cover - maybe I forgot to report 30 or so in one patch of WBC at New Year.

These last two catches of reed bunting (8 and 2) have been in WBC, but there doesn't look to be much feed left.

In summer they are common in OSR. A recent paper in Bird Study noted the importance of OSR for breeding.

Mike.
 
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