Natural Seaton Festival

For several years now the Natural Seaton Festival has taken place. The Group have been fortunate to set its display at this Festival last Saturday outlining why we ring birds and displaying maps showing where the birds we ringed have migrated to and of their return. This was specific in relation to colour ringing wildfowl and waders.  

Fortunately the weather was good and we had many enquiries about the Group and questions of our conservation work. This year we were able to show two large cabinets of bird skulls collected by our Leader over more than fifty years. These certainly drew the attention of both children and adults.

To take part in these festivals and shows enables us to explain our work  and why bird ringing is an important conservation tool.

Good numbers this time

The catch this morning included 88 birds of 17 species. Good numbers of Blackcaps and Reed Warblers as well as the usual species, including nine Dunnocks, eight Blue Tits and eight Goldfinches. As expected the majority were juveniles.

Quieter times

Last Saturday's session was quieter than normal with 24 birds of 13 species. Nevertheless wide range of species for a small number caught. Two Treecreepers caught was a interesting catch for a marshy site, but one never knows what may be about. A young Kingfisher was caught, which became a nice surprise for two visitors to the Wetlands from North America.

Treecreeper

Photograph Fran Knowles

Axe Vale Wildlife Day

Last Sunday the Axe Vale Wildlife Day took place at Seaton Wetlands and the Group were invited by the Chairman of the Axe Vale and District Conservation Soviety's Chairman, Doug Rudge, to participate in the Reed Base. We were invited last year, but only used our display boards. This year we tried to attract the attention of the public by, not just upgrading the display boards, but with two display cabinets of bird skulls . A nature table was also prepared. These certainly drew the attention, not only of the children, but adults as well.

Display boards

Private bird skull collection

The nature table

Photographs Mike Tyler

weather permits a good catch

With the disappointment of having to cancel the last couple of sessions we were able to get a catch in before the end of June. This took place yesterday with a good morning's catch of 95 birds of 19 species. The majority were juveniles as expected at this time of the year and including several summer migrants of Swallow, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler and Blackcap. The first juvenile Kingfisher of the year was caught, as well as, several finches and a juvenile Cetti's Warbler, suggesting it bred on the site. 

Good start to spring

Today the Group met to mist net on the Wetlands and caught 51 passerines and ringed 14 pulli of two species. The total did not include any surprises in the 16 species processed. A few juvenile birds were present and this will now increase over the following weeks.

Warblers arrived

The session yesterday was noted for the arrival of resident warblers, some with brood patches. The reed beds becoming filled with noisy Reed Warblers. Altogether 39 birds were caught of 13 species including, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, Blackcap and Sedge Warbler. A reasonable start to the breeding season.

Female Blackcap  (Photo Mike Tyler)