Tuesday 17 April 2012

Colyford Common and Stafford Marsh - 14/4/12

Today's session was a public demonstration session. Many turned up to watch the Axe Estuary Ringing Group in action - and to enjoy Doug's cooking! Yes, it wasn't just birds on the menu this morning - there were bacon and veggie butties too!

Fields Studies Base - Stafford Marsh Apr '12 (c) Peter Bennett

Weather: a cold but dry start, with a slight n e breeze. A mixture of sunny spells and periods of cloud cover throughout the morning.

Much to the enjoyment of the observers, 19 birds of 10 species were processed;

2 Blackbird (retraps)
2 Dunnock (retraps)
2 Wren (retraps)
1 Blackcap
1 Chiffchaff
2 Willow Warbler
2 Great Tit (retraps)
2 Blue Tit (retraps)
4 Greenfinch (1 retrap)
1 Goldfinch

Willow Warbler - Stafford Marsh Apr '12 (c) Adrian Bayley

Showing the audience - Stafford Marsh Apr '12 (c) Adrian Bayley

And it wasn't just birds in the hand. Adrian found this Grass Snake - much to the excitement of many of the children present.

Grass Snake - Stafford Marsh Apr '12 (c) Adrian Bayley