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#26 | |
Moderator but....... If I say the wrong thing put it down to Senior Moments
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Mmmm.... any idea what's changed, or gone wrong Mike? I know I struggle to see Greenfinches round here now and Yellowhammers can be a bit patchy too.
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In between goals is a thing called life, that has to be lived and enjoyed 2006 63, 2007 52, 2008 46, 2009 32, 2010 31, 2011 27 Total 81 Latest Patch tick: Magpie The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing - Socrates |
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#27 |
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Whoosh netting at rape bait station, site 1, 17.1.18
Goldfinch new 1 retrap 15 Greenfinch new 2 retrap Linnet new 26 retrap 30 TOTAL new 29 retrap 45 Also seen/heard Greylag geese Buzzard Kestrel Wren Dunnock Chaffinch Reed bunting Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits. Many thanks to all concerned, Mike. |
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#28 | |
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I suspect poor breeding is one of the most important factors. I used to see loads of good sized family parties of lark and yellowhamer as I walked through crops in late summer. Now these parties are small. The parties are also few but that does not of itself say anything about breeding. So why ? I notice far fewer invertebrates than we used to get, massively fewer than in the 1970s when everyone's kitchen needed flypaper in summer. So, far less chick food. In the last 15 years or so I have been establishing flower areas to try to reverse this. I thought this was working, with masses of beasties in them, loads of bumblebees. In 2015 we hardly had a bee and beasties seemed to have collapsed in numbers - but the swallows did really well so some things must have been OK. Another factor might well be extreme rainfall during the breeding season. It seems to be quite common now to get really wet cold weather extending over a day. This year we had it twice in June - ~80mm rain in c.36 hours at the beginning of the month and ~100mm in c.36 hours at the end. Only one or two swallow nests had fledged by the end of June. Every nest failed, even the ones that were at egg stage, same for house martins and (first nest for several years) spotted flycatcher. What chance the birds nesting in the open ? I don't monitor them really as I don't have time to find them. This should have been the peak of the breeding season. The bad weather covered a large area, farmers in Ayrshire were complaining they had their worst June ever with over 180mm of rain (we had 227). So the effects would not just be local. Certainly this is my worst ever winter catching linnet, we have hardly caught any yellowhammer either, and the poor numbers might well tie in with this weather as they both breed relatively late. You may have noticed that I have had a very good winter for goldfinch and almost all of them are first year birds, so apparently not all species suffered the same. I did find three early yellowhammer nests. Two certainly were predated (possibly stoat or weasel), one might have fledged. I am against predator control but it is easy for those in favour to whip up emotions against predators. Indeed, barn owl started predating swallow nests in a major way here in 2016 when small rodents seemed to disappear more or less completely. Though we have the rodents back, the barn owl know where there are easy pickings which doesn't help the swallows. More ammunition for the anti-predator brigade I suppose, but the problem arose not because of too many owls, but due to too few rodents. Oh, it also affected rats, so I suspect something like a virus but have no evidence. Who knows if it was driven by something humans had done. Mike. |
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#29 |
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Whoosh netting at rape bait station, site 1, 20.1.18
Goldfinch new 5 retrap 27 Linnet new 13 retrap 23 Also seen/heard Pink-footed geese Buzzard Tawny owl Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits. Many thanks to all concerned, Mike. |
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#30 |
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Mist netting at Site 2 north, 26.1.18.
Blackbird new 3 retrap Chaffinch new 1 retrap Dunnock new 2 retrap 7 Great tit new 2 retrap 2 Reed bunting new 2 retrap Robin new retrap 2 Treecreeper new 1 retrap Tree sparrow new 20 retrap 3 Wren new 1 retrap TOTAL new 32 retrap 14 Also seen/heard : Buzzard Tawny owl Magpie Greater spotted woodpecker Nuthatch Goldfinch Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits. Many thanks to all concerned, Mike. |
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#31 |
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Whoosh netting at rape bait station, site 1, 29.1.18
Goldfinch new 1 retrap 18 Linnet new 37 retrap 28 Also seen/heard Greylag geese Mallard Buzzard Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits. Many thanks to all concerned, Mike. |
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#32 |
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Mist netting at Site 2, 4.1.18.
This was at our upper site. Blackbird new 1 retrap Blue tit new 1 retrap Chaffinch new 1 retrap Reed bunting new 4 retrap Robin new 1 retrap 1 Tree sparrow new 13 retrap 11 Wren new 1 retrap Yellowhammer new 6 retrap 1 TOTAL new 28 retrap 13 Also seen/heard : Pink footed geese Buzzard Tawny owl Stock dove Greater spotted woodpecker Nuthatch Dunnock Fieldfare Brambling Greenfinch Bullfinch Linnet Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits. Many thanks to all concerned, Mike. |
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#33 |
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Whoosh netting at rape bait station, site 1, 5.2.18
Goldfinch new retrap 4 Linnet new 49 retrap 39 Also seen/heard Greylag geese Buzzard Grey partridge Fieldfare Two pairs of grey partridge appear to be paired up. Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits. Many thanks to all concerned, Mike. |
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#34 |
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Oops, date on last report should be 5.2.18.
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#35 |
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Whoosh netting at rape bait station, site 1, 12.2.18
Goldfinch new 1 retrap 2 Linnet new 58 retrap 32 Also seen/heard Greylag geese Buzzard Grey partridge Skylark Chaffinch Brambling Reed bunting Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits. Many thanks to all concerned, Mike. |
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#36 |
Moderator but....... If I say the wrong thing put it down to Senior Moments
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Hi Mike, edited your post to correct the date.
.... and many thanks for the info you gave in response to my question. Sorry to have been so long about it, but I save the post and have been reading it a few times. You really have had a poor time of it lately, and I'm therefore not surprised that I've seen so few Greenfinch and 'hammers. Very sad.
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In between goals is a thing called life, that has to be lived and enjoyed 2006 63, 2007 52, 2008 46, 2009 32, 2010 31, 2011 27 Total 81 Latest Patch tick: Magpie The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing - Socrates |
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#37 |
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Thanks Delia,
Maybe you also saw this http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=356430 Another possible contributor ? Mike. |
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#38 |
Moderator but....... If I say the wrong thing put it down to Senior Moments
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Indeed I did see that originally Mike... well at least your initial post. And very sad reading I found it too.
It will all go to explain why I've found it so difficult to see Spotted Flycatchers these last few years.
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In between goals is a thing called life, that has to be lived and enjoyed 2006 63, 2007 52, 2008 46, 2009 32, 2010 31, 2011 27 Total 81 Latest Patch tick: Magpie The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing - Socrates |
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#39 | |
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Mike. |
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#40 |
Moderator but....... If I say the wrong thing put it down to Senior Moments
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Oh that was sad. Hopefully they'll take to your nest box.
I did see a juvenile a couple of years ago. It was on a walk right at the edge of town here. I'd meant to go up last year to see if I could see adults there, but spent that period recovering from a hospital visit. Maybe I'll get up there this year instead.
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In between goals is a thing called life, that has to be lived and enjoyed 2006 63, 2007 52, 2008 46, 2009 32, 2010 31, 2011 27 Total 81 Latest Patch tick: Magpie The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing - Socrates |
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#41 |
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Mist netting at Site 1, 17.2.18.
Chaffinch new 6 retrap 1 Goldcrest new retrap 2 Robin new retrap 2 Tree sparrow new 6 retrap 1 Yellowhammer new 11 retrap TOTAL new 23 retrap 6 Also seen/heard : Greylag geese Grey partridge Golden plover 23 Collared dove Greater spotted woodpecker Skylark Wren Dunnock Blackbird Fieldfare Brambling Greenfinch Bullfinch Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits. Many thanks to all concerned, Mike. |
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#42 |
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Whoosh netting at rape bait station, site 1, 21.2.18
Linnet new 26 retrap 19 Also seen/heard Greylag geese Buzzard Grey partridge Skylark Chaffinch Goldfinch Reed bunting Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits. Many thanks to all concerned, Mike. |
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#43 |
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Mist netting at secondary feed station, Site 1, 22.2.18.
Blackbird new 1 retrap 1 Blue tit new 1 retrap Chaffinch new 45 retrap 8 Dunnock new 1 retrap 2 Fieldfare new 2 retrap Greenfinch new 5 retrap 1 Tree sparrow new 1 retrap Yellowhammer new 1 retrap 3 TOTALS new 57 retrap 15 c.100 fieldfare were feeding in neighbouring improved grassland Also seen/heard : Greylag geese Pink footed geese Buzzard Tawny owl Greater spotted woodpecker (drumming) Skylark Wren Robin Song thrush Mistle thrush Bullfinch Goldfinch Linnet Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits. Many thanks to all concerned, Mike. |
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#44 |
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Whoosh netting at rape bait station, site 1, 26.2.18
Linnet new 14 retrap 26 Also seen/heard Greylag geese Mallard Buzzard Grey partridge Skylark Dunnock Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits. Many thanks to all concerned, Mike. |
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#45 |
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Mist netting at Site 2 north, 25.2.18.
Blackbird new retrap 1 Blackcap new retrap Blue tit new 1 retrap Chaffinch new 2 retrap Dunnock new retrap 6 Great tit new retrap 2 Long tailed tit new 1 retrap Robin new 1 retrap 3 Tree sparrow new 1 retrap TOTAL new 6 retrap 12 Also seen/heard : Buzzard Sparrowhawk Grey partridge (at some distance south) Tawny owl Stock dove Greater spotted woodpecker Nuthatch Wren House sparrow Goldfinch Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits. Many thanks to all concerned, Mike. |
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#46 |
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Linnet flock has left, despite me clearing the feed station every morning so they can access feed. Wind has been filling it in during the day and I guess they haven't been able to keep access to feed open. 200+ there on Tuesday, one yesterday didn't stay.
At the secondary feed station here (site 1) there have been loads of birds. I guess the feeders won't be empty yet, but I can't get there to top them up, the road in is 1-1.5m deep. Main feed station is deep in snow, but accessible, so I topped up this morning. I had a new species there today - a stankie, presumably from the pond just across the road where I see four regularly. Mike. |
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#47 | |
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Whats a Stankie? Moorhen or coot. Glad we've only got about 2/3 cm here in sunny reading. Keep safe. Alan |
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#48 | |
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A moorhen. Coot are rare here (but on a neighbour's loch). I couldn't say how much snow we have had - I'd guess between 0.3 and 0.5m but that could be an overestimate. We have had the usual problem - it has been blowing so the roads have been filled up to 1.5m and more in many places. Certainly not ringing conditions. I have been digging out a public road into the neighbouring farm this afternoon (with a telescopic loader) and came across a dead unringed blackbird. As it was in good condition I suspect it had roosted in a bad spot and snow had buried it in the night. Loads of birds at the main feed station and at my garden feeding. Tried to get to my remote feeding station this afternoon by tractor but not possible. Mike. |
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#49 |
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Thanks Mike.
Hope things have improved by now!.
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#50 |
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Mist netting at Site 2, 8.3.18.
This was at our upper site. Blackbird new 1 retrap Blue tit new 2 retrap 1 Brambling new 1 retrap Coal tit new 1 retrap Dunnock new 3 retrap 3 Reed bunting new 9 retrap 1 Tree sparrow new 3 retrap 4 Yellowhammer new 22 retrap 2 TOTAL new 42 retrap 11 Extra feeding effort by the farmer in recent years is really paying off. Yellowhammer catches here have lifted significantly. Also seen/heard : Pink footed geese 21 Buzzard Sparrowhawk Tawny owl Greater spotted woodpecker Jay Skylark Robin Mistle thrush Song thrush Fieldfare Chaffinch Goldfinch Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits. Many thanks to all concerned, Mike. |
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