End of year duck catch

At daybreak today 16 hardy souls met on Seaton Marshes to attempt a catch of duck, including our project species, the Shelduck. The catch was relatively small for a cannon net catch, which was as well with a small team of volunteers. Despite the frosty conditions seven Shelduck, all of the species on the lagoon, six Mallard and eleven Wigeon were caught. This was the first catch on our former site for over two years and that is thanks to the Countryside Team, East Devon District Council reviving the habitat for duck. This session concluded our duck research for the year.

A fine male Shelduck (Photo Allan Reese)

Releasing of a Shelduck (Photo Allan Reese)

The magnificent head of a male Wigeon (Photo Mike Tyler)

Measuring head and bill of a female Mallard (Photo Allan Reese)

The team with cannons right in the foreground (Photo Allan Reese)

End of year mist netting session.

Monday this week was the last mist netting session of the year and resulted in a smaller haul than usual, but perhaps it was as well as we had a small team that morning. Nevertheless 32 birds were caught including another Redwing as it flew across the marsh. A few Chiffchaffs, together with their travelling companions Goldcrest, were caught at the same time. Hopefully we will be able to proceed with a duck catch between Christmas and the New Year.

To our followers and supporters have a wonderful Christmas from the Axe Estuary Ringing Group.