Startling finish to autumn

The Group completed its autumn sessions last Monday, with a full day and evening session resulting in a bumper catch. Of the 124 birds caught and processed another new bird was added to the Group's species list. A lovely first winter Lesser Redpoll.

Other interesting catches, included 28 Long-tailed Tits, nine each of Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and Cetti's Warbler and 12 Reed Buntings at roost.

First winter Lesser Redpoll (copyright Miriam Guard)

The same Lesser Redpoll (Copyright Ian Stanbridge) 

Cancellation

Due to inclement weather conditions forecast for the session on Saturday 7th November regrettably it has been cancelled.

Date Cancellation

Please note that the Cannon Netting session programmed for 15th November has been cancelled due to lack of ducks and site clearance needed. Expect to be back into programme in December.

Fewer migrants, but a good catch

The Group were up early this morning, prior to daybreak erecting mist nets at Seaton Marshes. Apart from seven Chiffchaffs other migrants had deserted us and no doubt well on their way to winter quarters. The catch which totalled 75 birds did include surprisingly 16 Long-tailed Tits, 10 Goldcrests and 13 Blue Tits. Two new Cetti's Warblers were caught together with a Treecreeper and a Meadow Pipit. Not bad for a morning's work.

A Chiffchaff reluctant to migrate! (c) Mike Tyler

First autumn wader catch

Last evening, just prior to high tide of the River Axe, the Group caught 12 waders on Colyford Marsh. The site with its muddy low water level lagoon has shown to be a good site for roosting waders. The catch took effect after dark. Seven Curlew, including a bird the Group ringed at the same site in October 1999, still going strong; other birds were a Lapwing, two Redshank, a Teal and a Green Sandpiper.

Green Sandpiper

The white rump of the Green Sandpiper

Measuring the bill of the Curlew

(All photographs copyright Mike Tyler)

Another new species

Yesterday morning the Group had another good ringing session processing 74 birds of 21 species, including a Siskin a new species for the Group whilst working on the Wetlands. This year has been very successful with in excess of 1000 birds ringed and many more processed.

Our new species - Siskin  (c) Tom Gale

Bumper weekend!

The Group have been busy over the last ten days and have captured 241 birds, with 199 over the weekend of 5th - 6th September. These were sessions to catch one of the last movements of migrants that were resting up and feeding on the Axe Wetlands. There were 47 Chiffchaffs, 6 Willow Warblers, 13 Blackcaps, 12 Reed Warblers, 15 Sedge Warblers, 1 Whitethroat and 1 House Martin. The remainder included, Kingfisher, Cetti's Warbler, Treecreeper, 16 Goldfinches and 28 Greenfinches, plus several other resident species, all in all a very good period.

Treecreeper

Showing the stiff tail feathers of a Treecreeper

First year Whitethroat

All photographs (c) Mike Tyler