We have already posted Kev's outing on the first of January. This was followed closely on 3rd by a couple of hours spent with the thermal imager at our jack snipe site. We caught 4 new birds and saw possibly 17 or so at this important site. Over the last two years the number of jack snipe builds up during January and this year is no exception--we really hope we get some feedback soon!
Talking of feedback, it's great when birders around the country take time not only to clarify what's on colour rings, but then take the time to follow them up and let the ringers know. Within the last two weeks we have had reports of two of our colour ringed black headed gulls--one from Crewe and one from Newport in Pembrokeshire--helping us build up a picture of the post breeding dispersal of this commonly overlooked species. Thanks to all you colour ring addicts!!
Early on Saturday morning Kev and Gareth were plodding through their farm fields near Great Bridgeford and ringed 2 skylark and a fieldfare. We have been promoting the use of the thermal imager as a surveying tool so we are trying to record the birds we see as well as those we catch with a view to submitting them to the relevant recorders and of course landowners. Other birds seen in the fields were 2 woodcock; 2 fieldfare; 1 each of jack snipe, redwing and skylark.
They followed with a short netting session after dawn and caught a few typical birds but also their first yellowhammer. Well done boys.
Last night saw us out in some local fields, and I guess it's a sign of our increasing expectation, that 1 each of woodcock, jack snipe and skylark was a bit disappointing. A couple of years ago this would have been a big night. However, as I've mentioned earlier, we also recorded a good range and number of other birds we saw which have been logged and already fed back to the landowners.
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