Spent the morning with the Axe Estuary Ringing Group which as the name suggests, ring on the Axe estuary in east Devon. The aim was to catch wildfowl with a canon net on the edge of a pool which is baited daily with loads of wheat. After the briefing at 7:30 we headed out towards the catch site but was greeted of news that there wasn't many birds about. Their last catch a few weeks ago was nearly 200 birds so everyone's hopes were high but in the end we settled for just 8 birds. If i remember rightly it was 5 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck and a Moorhen. I managed to get my hands on 2 Wigeon and a Shelduck both of which were new species for me! Here's a few pics of the mornings proceedings.
This last photo show the wing of the Shelduck. This bird was an adult male and is now wearing a nice new colour ring. Keep and eye for it!!
Mike Tyler the Axe Estuary Ringing Group leader very kindly sent through this picture of everyone this morning. Really wondered whether to post it as after all I am trying to increase readership, not put people off! Only Joking!!! They were a great bunch of people and I am really looking forward to meeting up with them again.
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