Ringing near Gifford, East Lothian, winter 24/25 (1 Viewer)

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Start of our winter ringing programme. All spring sown wild bird cover (crops grown to provide seed for birds through the winter) is poor this year following a very difficult spring. At our ringing sites bait is provided so hopefully the birds will be OK.

10.10.24 Mist netting at Farm 2, lower site.

Blackbird new 5
retrap 3
Coal tit new 1
retrap
Dunnock new 1
retrap 1
Great tit new
retrap 1
Jay new 1
retrap
Long tailed tit new 1
retrap
Robin new 3
retrap 1
Yellowhammer new 1
retrap
TOTAL new 13
retrap 6


Also seen/heard :
Heron
Pink-footed geese
Greylag
Buzzard
Pheasant
Tawny owl
Woodpigeon
Skylark
Meadow pipit
Wren
Blue tit
Carrion crow
Jackdaw
Magpie
Chaffinch
Bullfinch
Goldfinch

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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13.10.24 - Mist netting at secondary feed station, Farm 1

This is our first winter CES visit of this year, yes it is early. It has seemed our winter CES catches have been impacted by the fortnightly schedule - prior to starting winter CES we ringed every 3-4 weeks at any site, since starting winter CES birds seem to have become much more "net shy" - gathering nearby and waiting for us to pack up rather than coming to feed. We have discussed this with BTO and it may be that this is peculiar to situations like ours, whether due to species mix or habitat - farmland visited rarely by people so birds are more easily disturbed. We have agreed with BTO to run this site to a three weekly schedule rather than two weekly for comparison with our other winter CES mist net site which will continue to be run on a two week schedule. To keep the number of visits up this site's first widow opens on 12th October and the last will close on 28th March. We are aware that "winter" this far north is longer than in the south so this schedule, even if successful here, might not be appropriate nationally.

Blackbird new 2
retrap 1
Blue tit new 1
retrap 3
Chaffinch new 2
retrap 1
Dunnock new 3
retrap 1
Jay new 1
retrap
Robin new 1
retrap
Song Thrush new 1
retrap
Tree sparrow new 12
retrap
Wren new 2
retrap
Yellow-browed warbler new 1
retrap
TOTALS new 26
retrap 6


Also seen/heard :
Greylag geese
Pink-footed goose c.60
Mallard
Buzzard
Pheasant
Grey partridge 4
Herring gull
Barn owl
Woodpigeon
Feral pigeon
Skylark
Carrion crow
Jackdaw
Raven
Linnet
Yellowhammer

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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14.10.24 Mist netting at Farm 2, upper site.

Blackbird new 4
retrap
Blackcap new 1
retrap
Blue tit new 2
retrap
Bullfinch new 3
retrap
Chiffchaff new 1
retrap
Coal tit new 2
retrap
Dunnock new 10
retrap 2
Great tit new 3
retrap 1
House sparrow new 5
retrap
Long tailed tit new 8
retrap
Robin new 2
retrap 1
Tree sparrow new 24
retrap 3
Wren new 1
retrap
Yellowhammer new 1
retrap
TOTAL new 67
retrap 7


Also seen/heard :

Greylag geese
Pink-footed goose
Pheasant
Grey partridge 3
Tawny owl
Woodpigeon
Skylark
Carrion crow
Jackdaw
Rook
Magpie

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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29.10.24 Mist netting at Farm 2, lower site.

Blackbird new 4
retrap 2
Blue tit new 2
retrap
Dunnock new 1
retrap 1
Great tit new
retrap 1
Nuthatch new
retrap 1
Robin new
retrap 2
Tree sparrow new 1
retrap
TOTAL new 8
retrap 7


Also seen/heard :
Buzzard
Pheasant
Tawny owl
Woodpigeon
Skylark
Wren
Fieldfare c.13
Redwing
Long-tailed tit
Carrion crow
Jackdaw
Magpie
Jay
Chaffinch
Siskin
Reed bunting

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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3.11.24 Mist netting at Farm 1, original feed station

Blackbird new 4
retrap
Bullfinch new 1
retrap
Chaffinch new 15
retrap
Dunnock new 3
retrap
Long tailed tit new 1
retrap
Robin new 4
retrap
Tree sparrow new 13
retrap 2
Wren new 1
retrap
Yellowhammer new 2
retrap
TOTAL new 44
retrap 2


Also seen/heard :
Greylag geese
Pink-footed geese
Buzzard
Kestrel 2
Pheasant
Grey partridge
Golden plover
Tawny owl
Woodpigeon
Herring gull
Skylark
Carrion crow
Rook
Jackdaw
Raven
Magpie
Jay
Great tit
Blue tit

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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4.11.24 - Mist netting at secondary feed station, Farm 1

Blackbird new 4
retrap 1
Chaffinch new 2
retrap 1
Dunnock new 2
retrap 2
Reed bunting new 1
retrap
Robin new 1
retrap
Tree sparrow new 1
retrap 1
Wren new 1
retrap
Yellowhammer new 4
retrap
TOTALS new 16
retrap 5


Also seen/heard :
Greylag geese
Pink-footed goose
Mallard
Buzzard
Kestrel
Pheasant
Grey partridge c.10
Herring gull
Tawny owl
Barn owl
Woodpigeon
Feral pigeon
Skylark
Blue tit
Carrion crow
Jackdaw
Raven
Magpie
Jay
Goldfinch

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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6.11.24 Mist netting at Farm 2, upper site.

Blackbird new 6
retrap 1
Blue tit new 2
retrap
Coal tit new
retrap 1
Dunnock new 2
retrap 5
House sparrow new 2
retrap
Long tailed tit new 2
retrap
Robin new 2
retrap 3
Tree sparrow new 1
retrap 2
Yellowhammer new
retrap 1
TOTAL new 17
retrap 13


Also seen/heard :

Greylag geese
Buzzard
Pheasant
Herring gull
Tawny owl
Woodpigeon
Wren
Mistle thrush
Carrion crow
Jackdaw
Magpie
Siskin

And Australian magpie ! - um a dog, distorted by distance

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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7.11.24 Whoosh netting at rape bait station, Farm 1

Linnet new 52
retrap 7

Also seen/heard
Greylag
Pink-footed geese
Pheasant
Grey partridge
Golden plover
Woodpigeon
Skylark
Meadow pipit
Robin
Blackbird
Carrion crow
Jackdaw
Rook
Yellowhammer

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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16.11.24 Whoosh netting at rape bait station, Farm 1

Linnet new 8
retrap 3

Also seen/heard
Greylag
Buzzard
Pheasant
Herring gull
Woodpigeon
Carrion crow
Jackdaw
Rook
Stonechat
Goldfinch

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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28.11.24 - Mist netting at secondary feed station, Farm 1

Blackbird new 6
retrap 3
Blue tit new 1
retrap 1
Chaffinch new 23
retrap 5
Dunnock new 1
retrap 4
Great tit new 1
retrap
Reed bunting new 1
retrap
Robin new
retrap 2
Tree sparrow new 11
retrap 1
Yellowhammer new 4
retrap 1
TOTALS new 48
retrap 17


Also seen/heard :
Greylag geese
Pink-footed goose
Buzzard
Pheasant
Red-legged partridge
Herring gull
Tawny owl
Woodpigeon
Feral pigeon
Skylark
Wren
Fieldfare
Rook
Carrion crow
Jackdaw
Raven
Goldfinch

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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29.11.24 Mist netting at Farm 2, upper site.

Blackbird new 6
retrap 2
Blue tit new
retrap 1
Chaffinch new
retrap 2
Coal tit new
retrap 1
Dunnock new 2
retrap 1
Great tit new 1
retrap
House sparrow new 1
retrap
Robin new 5
retrap 3
Sparrowhawk new 1
retrap
Tree sparrow new 1
retrap
Wren new
retrap 1
Yellowhammer new 1
retrap 2
TOTAL new 18
retrap 13


Also seen/heard :

Greylag geese
Mallard
Pheasant
Tawny owl
Woodpigeon
Fieldfare
Redwing
Long-tailed tit
Rook
Carrion crow
Jackdaw
Magpie
Jay
Bullfinch
Siskin
Reed bunting

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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30.11.24 Whoosh netting at rape bait station, Farm 1

Linnet new 22
retrap 9

Also seen/heard
Greylag
Buzzard
Pheasant
Herring gull
Tawny owl
Woodpigeon
Skylark
Fieldfare
Carrion crow
Jackdaw
Rook
Goldfinch

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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3.12.24 Mist netting at Farm 1, original feed station

Blackbird new 2
retrap 1
Blue tit new 1
retrap
Chaffinch new 6
retrap 3
Dunnock new 1
retrap 2
Greenfinch new
retrap 1
Robin new
retrap 3
Tree sparrow new 9
retrap 1
Wren new 1
retrap 1
Yellowhammer new 3
retrap 6
TOTAL new 23
retrap 18

All the retrap yellowhammer had been ringed in previous winters, one as long ago as Jan 21.

Also seen/heard :
Greylag geese
Mallard
Pheasant
Grey partridge 6
Golden plover
Woodpigeon
Skylark
Carrion crow
Rook
Jackdaw
Goldfinch
Bullfinch


Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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14.12.24 Whoosh netting at rape bait station, Farm 1

Goldfinch new 6
retrap 1
Linnet new 28
retrap 14

A disturbing number of linnet in very poor condition
Almost all the retraps were ringed in previous winters, the oldest on 13/12/2020

Also seen/heard
Greylag
Buzzard
Pheasant
Grey partridge
Woodpigeon
Carrion crow
Rook
Jackdaw
Yellowhammer

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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23.12.24 Mist netting at Farm 1, original feed station

Blackbird new 2
retrap
Chaffinch new 9
retrap 6
Dunnock new 3
retrap 4
House sparrow new 1
retrap
Reed bunting new 1
retrap
Robin new
retrap 2
Tree sparrow new
retrap 2
Woodpigeon new 1
retrap
Wren new 1
retrap
Yellowhammer new 28
retrap 5
TOTAL new 46
retrap 19


One of the retrap chaffinch had been ringed in February 2019 as age code "6" which means it had hatched in 2017 or earlier.

Also seen/heard :
Greylag geese
Mallard
Pheasant
Herring gull
Golden plover
Blue tit
Carrion crow
Raven
Jackdaw
Goldfinch
Bullfinch


Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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26.12.24 Mist netting at Farm 2, upper site.

Blue tit new 1
retrap 1
Dunnock new 1
retrap 2
Long tailed tit new 4
retrap 4
Reed bunting new
retrap 1
Robin new 1
retrap 1
Wren new 1
retrap
TOTAL new 8
retrap 9

Very poor numbers of birds about but also seen/heard :

Greylag geese
Buzzard
Pheasant
Herring gull
Tawny owl 3+
Woodpigeon
Blackbird
Rook
Carrion crow
Jackdaw
Magpie
Raven
Bullfinch
Siskin
and
Early moth 3+

Berry crop locally has not been good this year and all the fieldfare and redwing seem to have moved on though we still have plenty blackbirds.

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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27.12.24 - Mist netting at secondary feed station, Farm 1

Blackbird new
retrap 2
Chaffinch new 13
retrap 3
Dunnock new 2
retrap 1
Fieldfare new 1
retrap
Redwing new 1
retrap
Reed bunting new 1
retrap
Tree sparrow new 4
retrap
Yellowhammer new 4
retrap 5
TOTALS new 26
retrap 11

Caught out yesterday I said fieldfare and redwing seemed to have moved on - these were feeding in winter wheat which we often see fieldfare doing, even when there are berries left but in those circumstances they seem to feed on both, getting a more diverse diet.

Also seen/heard :
Greylag geese
Buzzard
Pheasant
Herring gull
Tawny owl
Woodpigeon
Feral pigeon
Skylark
Wren
Robin
Mistle thrush (singing)
Great tit
Rook
Carrion crow
Jackdaw
Raven
Magpie
Bullfinch
Goldfinch

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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28.12.24 Whoosh netting at rape bait station, Farm 1

Linnet new 28
retrap 31

Also seen/heard
Buzzard
Pheasant
Woodcock
Herring gull
Woodpigeon
Carrion crow
Rook
Jackdaw
Goldfinch
Yellowhammer

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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Happy New Year everybody

2.1.25 Mist netting at Farm 1, original feed station

Barn owl new 1
retrap
Blackbird new
retrap 1
Chaffinch new 7
retrap 8
Dunnock new 1
retrap 10
Robin new
retrap 3
Tree sparrow new 5
retrap
Yellowhammer new 26
retrap 18
TOTAL new 40
retrap 40


Also seen/heard :
Greylag geese
Pink-footed geese
Mallard
Pheasant
Herring gull
Woodpigeon
Tawny owl
Wren
Blue tit
Great tit
Carrion crow
Rook
Jackdaw
Magpie
Siskin
Bullfinch


Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

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9.1.25 Mist netting at Farm 2, upper site.

Blackbird new 1
retrap 1
Blue tit new
retrap 1
Coal tit new
retrap 1
Dunnock new 1
retrap 3
Long tailed tit new
retrap 3
Reed bunting new 1
retrap 3
Robin new
retrap 2
Tree sparrow new
retrap 1
Yellowhammer new 17
retrap 7
TOTAL new 20
retrap 22


Also seen/heard :

Pink-footed geese
Pheasant
Herring gull
Tawny owl
Woodpigeon
Wren
Pied wagtail
Rook
Carrion crow
Jackdaw
Magpie
Jay
Siskin

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.