Unlike last year the colder weather has drawn several duck species to the Axe Estuary enabling the Group to make some useful catches. Shelduck have been using the site throughout the winter and many returning from previous years. How do we know? Well colour ringing since 2010 has proved ideal for confirming or otherwise of the same birds returning each year. So if you see any birds carrying a yellow ring containing two letters in black, as shown below, please let us know.
The catch of the weekend, included 19 Shelduck, 26 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 17 Mallard and one Black-tailed Godwit. Some of the Teal and Mallard were caught in two Abberton Traps we baited the night before. These birds helped to bring the total to 67.
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| Sample colour ring on Shelduck |
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| Pair of Wigeon |
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| Happy team of the day (All photos - Mike Tyler) |
