Busy day

Yesterday morning was a very good session for the Group, with 56 birds caught of 17 species. Of these the highlights were a Green Woodpecker, juvenile Whinchat, ten Chiffchaffs, a Linnet, Sedge Warbler and seven Blackcaps.

The evening session to catch waders on Colyford Marshes was not what we hoped with only two waders caught. Numbers were down and only the occasional Curlew, Oystercatcher and Greenshank passing over. Nevertheless, a Redshank and  a Common Snipe were eventually caught and ringed.

Common Snipe

Redshank

(Photos Mike Tyler)

Best catch since Covid 19 started

 Today the Group spent the morning ringing birds on Colyford Common and was rewarded with 61 birds of 16 species. Highlights included a control of a Reed Warbler ringed in France, Garden Warbler and 12 Sedge Warblers. In addition the mixed bag included:

Robin 4; Wren 2; Whitethroat 1; Blue Tit 9; Chiffchaff 2; Dunnock 4; Goldfinch 11; Greenfinch 1; Reed Warbler (others) 6; Great Tit 2; Blackbird 1; Blackcap 2; Chaffinch 1; and Great Spotted Woodpecker 1.

An enjoyable and exciting morning for those present.

First real catch of juveniles

Today the Group had an interesting session in the far corner of the Seaton Wetlands and caught 33 birds of 14 species. Good numbers of juveniles were caught, which included, 24 of the total ringed. Interesting that a lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were caught suggest they may have bred not too far away. 

A good session for early summer.

First session for 2021!

The Group conducted its first ringing session since the second lockdown, which enabled five members to take advantage of the sunny dry morning and gentle breeze. Fifty one birds were caught of 14 species, but only one migrant Chiffchaff. Good numbers of Greenfinches and Goldfinches and few Chaffinches. One Cetti's Warbler and one Mute Swan was colour ringed. A reasonable start to the year and hoping no further restrictions will prevent more sessions taking place.

The last session of 2020

 Whether it was the covid-19 restrictions or the weather, we were able to ring at our last session yesterday. Small teams of not more than six were formed to abide bythe regulations. This session was good for the time of the year with a catch of 21 birds of ten species. The highlights being a male Stonechat in winter plumage and a retrap of a leucistic Blackbird we originally ringed in January 2019.

The Group wish our supporters a better and healthier New Year.

                                                                        Male Stonechat

                                                              Leucisitic male Blackbird

Photos Mike Tyler

Ringing stopped again!

 If it is not the weather it is the Covid-19 that stops our activities. Never mind we were able to get a few ringing sessions at the Wetlands and the last two in October and yesterday 50 birds were processed. Highlights were a Kestrel in October and a Magpie yesterday. Not unusual, but of a difference than the usual wetland species.

Hopefully we will be back as soon as we are allowed.

Kestrel 
(Photo by Joseph Smith)

Kestrel
(Photo by Joseph Smith)

Magpie
(Photo by Mike Tyler)

Back ringing

 Yesterday was our second ringing session since lockdown and resulted with 64 birds of 11 species processed and only one retrap. Ringing took place in the crop field at the far end of Colyford Common.The main highlight was the catch of 26 Goldfinches, but migrants included, two Reed Warblers and two Blackcaps. Ringing was restricted to six members in accordance with Government Guidelines.

                                                   Two Male Blackcaps  (Photo Mike Tyler)