Just about ticking over

This morning’s weather didn’t really look like it was going to down lots of migrants and this was proved by about 9am when the sun broke through as there was hardly anything calling or flitting around. I could only have half the nets up due to the strong westerly wind which meant a small catch of just half a dozen Willow Warblers and a Blackcap as well as a few resident species. The size of the catch also reflected the lack of movement. Also caught a Greenfinch which was ringed but not with one of my rings. Need to check with a few other local ringers before getting excited about my first Greenfinch control!

Quality was provided this morning by a Grasshopper Warbler singing for the first hour or so of light and a Pied Flycatcher which showed up just before I left. Both birds failed to find a net but nice to see/hear none the less. A Sedge Warbler was also singing when I arrived but it soon stopped, presumably it was heading for the nearest reed bed. Overhead passage was very slow with just the smallest trickle of Swallows although 5 Whimbrel went through which were my first this spring at the site.  Things will pick up again soon!

The demise of an intrepid Blue Tit

It’s always nice when you get one of your ringed birds recovered. Usually it’s a migrant which has be re-trapped elsewhere on its travels but one recent recovery was quite a surprise. It’s often thought that Blue tits don’t do a lot in terms of moving large distances. Of course they do stuff like feed, breed and bite your fingers whilst you ring them but a Blue Tit I ringed in a garden back in my homeland of Gwent travelled all the way to Greater Manchester! It was total distance of 207 km which is a pretty significant movement. However the Blue Tit sadly met its end by a cat but I suppose I should thank the cat as it wouldn’t have been recovered if it wasn’t for the pesky feline. For some reason I can’t find a picture of a Blue Tit but surely you know what one looks like!

Another recent recovery was a Bullfinch which went from the fleet all the way to Dorchester, which isn’t far but still a nice recovery none the less. This one didn’t end up as cat food, thankfully it was caught by another ringer and was released unharmed. I can’t find a picture of a Bullfinch either so instead of having a picture-less post (something we all hate!) here’s the last (well… maybe) picture from Spain. This time an adult Night Heron which is nothing like a Blue Tit or a Bullfinch but its better than nothing...

And they're off

Spring ringing got started this morning at Clouds hill out on the fleet. Been reading on the web that Portland bird observatory has started catching a few spring migrants so thought it was about time I had a go. On arrival all was quiet so got on with finishing my new net ride. Finished that after a hour or so and timed it well as a few Chiffchaffs arrived. Well... two in fact. Next net round produced both chiffs in the net.

Overhead passage was slow with just a few ‘alba’ Wagtails, about 70 Meadow Pipit which settled briefly in the field next my net site. They were quickly moved along by a female Merlin. Most notable sighting of the morning was a 3^rd calendar year male Marsh Harrier (I think, only had brief views) which headed west up the fleet. Wouldn’t be surprised if it dropped into the swannery for a look around.