Ringing near Gifford, winter 20-21 (1 Viewer)

[citrinella]

Whoosh netting at rape bait station, site 1, 6.10.20

Goldfinch new 18
retrap 1
Linnet new 3
retrap

First catch of the 20-21 "winter" programme. Mist netting will wait a little longer till more birds are using the feed stations.

Poor weather/too busy last week to try to catch when a large flock of linnets were taking the feed. I see a pattern in this, I suspect birds arrive from further north, take the feed then move on to natural food sources nearby. Certainly there are plenty birds on the rape stubble in the same field.

Also seen/heard
Pink-footed geese 100+ east
Buzzard
Skylark
Meadow pipit
Mistle thrush

and on the way home c.50 Golden plover.

Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits. As greylag geese are considered feral they will no longer be reported. Remember they are ever present

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

[citrinella]

Whoosh netting at rape bait station, site 1, 16.10.20

Goldfinch new 26
retrap 4
Linnet new 26
retrap 3


Also seen/heard
Pink-footed geese c.50
Kestrel
Jay
Skylark
Meadow pipit

and once home c.30 Golden plover.

Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits. As greylag geese are considered feral they will no longer be reported. Remember they are ever present

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

[citrinella]

Mist netting at Site 1, 6.11.20.

Blue tit new
retrap 3
Chaffinch new 8
retrap 1
Dunnock new 6
retrap
Long tailed tit new 7
retrap
Redwing new 7
retrap
Robin new 8
retrap
Song Thrush new 1
retrap
Tree sparrow new 6
retrap 1
TOTAL new 43
retrap 5


Weather and other factors have delayed the start of our mist netting programme a little. The whoosh net programme has also stopped because ALL the birds disappeared. A flock has been seen on the farm in the last few days but the birds are not using the bait ... yet.

Also seen/heard :
Pink-footed geese 120
Buzzard
Grey partridge
Golden plover
Barn owl
Tawny owl
Skylark
Jay
Bullfinch
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Yellowhammer

Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits.

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

[citrinella]

Mist netting at secondary feed station, Site 1, 9.11.20

Blackbird new 2
retrap 1
Blue tit new 21
retrap
Chaffinch new 5
retrap
Dunnock new 6
retrap
Fieldfare new 5
retrap
Great tit new 6
retrap
Mistle thrush new 1
retrap
Redwing new 1
retrap
Reed bunting new 9
retrap
Robin new 3
retrap
Tree sparrow new 9
retrap 1
Wren new 3
retrap
Yellowhammer new 4
retrap
TOTALS new 75
retrap 2


Also seen/heard :
Pink-footed geese 500
Mallard
Buzzard
Grey partridge
Barn owl
Tawny owl
Skylark
Jay
Goldfinch


Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits.

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

[citrinella]

At last, a weather window.

Mist netting at Site 2, 26.11.20, upper site.

Blackbird new 4
retrap
Blue tit new 1
retrap
Bullfinch new 1
retrap
Chaffinch new 1
retrap
Dunnock new 3
retrap 1
Goldcrest new 1
retrap
Great tit new 1
retrap
House sparrow new 10
retrap
Redwing new 1
retrap
Reed bunting new 1
retrap
Robin new 4
retrap 2
Tree sparrow new 19
retrap 2
Wren new 3
retrap
TOTAL new 50
retrap 5



Also seen/heard :
Mute swan
Mallard
Grey partridge
Tawny owl
Greater spotted woodpecker
Raven
Jay
Goldfinch
Linnet 30+
Redpoll 30+
Siskin
Yellowhammer

Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits.

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

[citrinella]

Mist netting at Site 2, lower site, 28.11.20

Blackbird new 1
retrap 1
Chaffinch new 2
retrap
Coal tit new 1
retrap
Dunnock new 5
retrap 6
Great tit new 4
retrap
Long tailed tit new 7
retrap 3
Nuthatch new
retrap 2
Robin new 6
retrap 1
Wren new 4
retrap
TOTAL new 30
retrap 13



Also seen/heard :
Tawny owl
Great spotted woodpecker
Goldfinch

Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits.

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

[citrinella]

Mist netting at Site 1, 29.11.20.

Blackbird new 2
retrap 1
Blue tit new 2
retrap
Chaffinch new 11
retrap 1
Dunnock new 2
retrap 3
Fieldfare new 1
retrap
Greenfinch new 1
retrap
Redwing new 1
retrap
Robin new 2
retrap 4
Tree sparrow new 17
retrap 3
Wren new 2
retrap
Yellowhammer new 2
retrap
TOTAL new 43
retrap 12


Also seen/heard :
Buzzard
Grey partridge
Tawny owl
Goldcrest
Bullfinch
Goldfinch
Linnet

Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits.

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

[citrinella]

Whoosh netting at rape bait station, site 1, 2.12.20

Linnet new 14
retrap 4

Linnet have at last returned to using the bait regularly. They are still using other feed sources as well.

Also seen/heard
Buzzard
Grey partridge
Blackbird
Fieldfare
Goldfinch
Yellowhammer

Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits. As greylag geese are considered feral they will no longer be reported. Remember they are ever present

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

[citrinella]

Mist netting at secondary feed station, Site 1, 9.12.20

Blackbird new 1
retrap 1
Blue tit new
retrap 4
Chaffinch new 18
retrap 7
Dunnock new 2
retrap 6
Greenfinch new 2
retrap
Redwing new 1
retrap
Reed bunting new 2
retrap
Robin new 1
retrap 1
Tree sparrow new 18
retrap 6
Yellowhammer new 6
retrap
TOTALS new 51
retrap 25



Also seen/heard :
Buzzard
Grey partridge
Barn owl
Tawny owl
Skylark
Fieldare 400
Goldfinch
Wren


Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits.

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

[citrinella]

Mist netting at Site 1, 10.12.20.

Blackbird new 3
retrap
Blue tit new 3
retrap
Chaffinch new 10
retrap 4
Dunnock new 3
retrap 6
Fieldfare new 14
retrap
Goldfinch new 1
retrap
Greenfinch new 2
retrap
Long tailed tit new 7
retrap 5
Robin new
retrap 5
Starling new 1
retrap
Tree sparrow new 7
retrap 4
Wren new
retrap 1
Yellowhammer new 10
retrap
TOTAL new 61
retrap 25


We are attempting to adhere to the BTO pilot winter ringing protocol at this site only. The only significant changes will be that we will be attempting to catch every two weeks, rather than every four, and that we will no longer use a sound lure. The latter might not be a disadvantage. We used to put the lure beside a net a distance from the others. On this visit, as described with no lure, on one check that net had nine yellowhammer, on the next check there were nine fieldfare, both exceptional catches for that net.

Also seen/heard :
Mallard
Buzzard
Grey partridge
Tawny owl
Skylark
Redwing
Bullfinch

Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits.

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

[citrinella]

Whoosh netting at rape bait station, site 1, 13.12.20

Goldfinch new 1
retrap 2
Linnet new 32
retrap 14


Also seen/heard
Buzzard
Golden plover
Tawny owl
Blackbird
Fieldfare

Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits.

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

[citrinella]

Mist netting at Site 2, 15.12.20, upper site.

Blackbird new 2
retrap
Blue tit new 1
retrap 1
Dunnock new 2
retrap 2
House sparrow new 8
retrap 1
Robin new 1
retrap 3
Tree sparrow new 8
retrap 3
TOTAL new 22
retrap 10



Also seen/heard :
Buzzard
Tawny owl
Pied wagtail
Magpie
Jay
Chaffinch
Bullfinch
Goldfinch
Linnet
Yellowhammer

Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits.

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

[citrinella]

Mist netting at Site 2, lower site, 19.12.20

Blackbird new
retrap 1
Blue tit new 1
retrap
Bullfinch new 1
retrap
Chaffinch new
retrap 2
Dunnock new 1
retrap 7
Great tit new 1
retrap
Nuthatch new
retrap 1
Robin new
retrap 2
TOTAL new 4
retrap 13

A hitch setting up meant a delayed start.

Also seen/heard :
Tawny owl
Wren
Mistle thrush (singing)
Long-tailed tit
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Siskin
Linnet
Redpoll
Yellowhammer

Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits.

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

[citrinella]

Mist netting at Site 1, 21.12.20.

Blackbird new 2
retrap 3
Blue tit new 2
retrap
Brambling new 1
retrap
Chaffinch new 8
retrap 1
Coal tit new
retrap 1
Goldfinch new 1
retrap
Greenfinch new 3
retrap 1
Tree sparrow new 4
retrap 4
Yellowhammer new 4
retrap
TOTAL new 25
retrap 10



Also seen/heard :
Buzzard
Tawny owl
Skylark
Pied wagtail
Wren
Robin
Dunnock
Fieldfare
Long-tailed tit
Bullfinch
Siskin
Linnet

Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits.

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

[citrinella]

Mist netting at secondary feed station, Site 1, 29.12.20

Blackbird new 2
retrap 1
Blue tit new 1
retrap 5
Brambling new 1
retrap
Chaffinch new 41
retrap 13
Dunnock new 1
retrap 3
Great tit new 2
retrap
Reed bunting new 4
retrap
Robin new 1
retrap 4
Tree sparrow new 2
retrap
Yellowhammer new 41
retrap 4
TOTALS new 96
retrap 30

Covid restrictions mean only two on the team, so we had to close 5 out of our normal 7 nets for a while during the rush after first light. We kept catching right to finishing time so suspect little effect except on tree sparrow and fieldfare which were probably deterred by almost continuous presence at the nets.

Also seen/heard :
Buzzard
Barn owl
Tawny owl
Skylark
Fieldare
Wren


Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits.

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

[delia todd]

I didn't realise you'd be so restricted with the Covid regulations Mike.... being outdoors and all that. It's surprising what you don't know when you're not involved in the activity, isn't it.

You still managed a pretty impressive count lad.

May I trake this opportunity of thanking you for your reports through the year and hope you have a great New Year.

 

[citrinella]

I didn't realise you'd be so restricted with the Covid regulations Mike.... being outdoors and all that. It's surprising what you don't know when you're not involved in the activity, isn't it.

You still managed a pretty impressive count lad.

May I trake this opportunity of thanking you for your reports through the year and hope you have a great New Year.

Thanks Delia,

We are subject to the same regulations as everyone else. Several issues at play - NO to ringers visiting from other council areas; NO to getting too close to each other; NO to sharing equipment (touching shared surfaces). Under different levels of restrictions some of the most rigid have not been in play but since Boxing day all apply, it just gets impractical. Just imagine trying to keep track of who had touched what and do the cleaning required when you have 100+ birds for which their welfare must be priority. At the moment we (my household) can do ecological survey work locally - within our council area. During lockdown we could only do survey work on our own home property.

Best wishes, Mike.

 

[delia todd]

Cheers Mike. I just didn't realise. I thought being outdoors things could be more relaxed.

Bit chilly today, isn't it.

 

[citrinella]

Mist netting at Site 2, 8.1.21, upper site.

Blue tit new 1
retrap 1
Bullfinch new 3
retrap
Dunnock new 5
retrap 2
Great tit new 1
retrap
Reed bunting new
retrap 1
Robin new
retrap 3
Wren new
retrap 1
Yellowhammer new 21
retrap 6
TOTAL new 31
retrap 14


Also seen/heard :
Mallard
Tawny owl
Blackbird
Magpie
Jay
Chaffinch 30+
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Linnet

Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits.

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.

 

[citrinella]

Mist netting at Site 1, 10.1.21.

Blackbird new 1
retrap
Blue tit new
retrap 2
Bullfinch new 1
retrap
Chaffinch new 3
retrap 4
Dunnock new 1
retrap
Greenfinch new 2
retrap
Robin new 2
retrap 4
Tree sparrow new 4
retrap 1
Yellowhammer new 37
retrap 7
TOTAL new 51
retrap 18


Also seen/heard :
Buzzard
Grey partridge
Tawny owl
Skylark
Jay
Goldfinch


Mainly forgetting corvids, gulls, non-natives, pigeons and tits.

Many thanks to all concerned, Mike.