Huge congratulations to Gareth and Natasha on the recent birth of their beautiful daughter Sennen. Catching a few hours for himself this morning Gareth had a session at his site at a disused quarry. It was a bright and slightly breezy morning, but his catch of 58 new birds illustrates what a superb site this is developing into!
His catch was made up of12 species--including a few really special birds. First off was this stunning male Stonechat...
11 Redwing at first light was a good number given the smaller numbers around here this year; and 7 Meadow Pipits with some in walk in traps were and unexpected bonus. Redpoll are very mobile small finches which seem to roam around the country looking for food sources. Three were caught this morning including this one...
Group members are continuing to try hard to catch Redwings, with minimal reward (for some reason) this year. Pat out in Wales is still waiting for the Siskins to arrive, although he did manage one today; but a few days ago he caught a superb male Blackcap--another 'first' for his garden...
Finally for this week, the species which IS around in big numbers is the Goldcrest. It never ceases to amaze us how these tiny warblers are able to make it across the North Sea in such big numbers to supplement those which are resident in the UK. Doubtless many perish in the sea--but the reality is that if they didn't come south and west they would all die in the bitter cold of northern winters with no insects available for food.
Between us we've ringed around 50 this week--and we are looking to try for more in the coming weeks--more details about this coming soon I hope.
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