St David's Day lucky catch

When we thought that the chance to catch large numbers of duck had forsaken us this winter we were in luck last Saturday morning. The first catch for 2014 resulted in 34 Shelduck netted of 43 present. The Group members were delighted, as indicated by the photograph, but also for a colourful bird caught in the reeds behind the group.

Whilst processing the Shelduck a visitor spotted a male Bearded Tit fly into the reeds. A mist net team was dispatched without delay and the bird was soon trapped. Prior to being netted it gave everyone present some splendid views. Although reported occasionally on the Wetlands this was the first catch for the Group and a very nice one too.

A happy team (Photo Mike Tyler)

A very attractive and unusual catch (Photo Mike Tyler)

New Year ringing at last underway

Since Christmas the weather had not been kind to the Group to allow it to get stuck into cannon netting duck or mist netting. February permitted a few evenings to catch Reed Buntings at roost in the young reed bed close to our ringing base and this weekend enabled us to take part in the Winter Festival arranged by East Devon District Council. Only a few birds were caught, but these did in include a Cetti's Warbler a species that has been seen and heard less in recent years on the Estuary.

The Festival enabled the Group to arrange a public ringing demonstration that proved a success with several children enjoying the chance to see birds close-up.

Cetti's Warbler carefully held by Ann prior to release (Photo Mike Tyler)

A keen young man releasing a female Blackbird clasping Derek's finger on release! (Photo Adrian Bayley)

Our Leader showing a Wren to a group of  children (Photo Adrian Bayley)

End of year activities

The weather permitted two sessions during December, the first on 17th, with a night-time catch of waders. Normally small catches are made and this evening was not different, catching three Curlew, five Oystercatchers and one Bar-tailed Godwit. The latter was a bonus and a first for the Group. Small numbers of this Godwit are recorded on the Estuary.

Hoping our last cannon-net catch yesterday would be good, but alas only one Moorhen and two Shelduck were caught. Although 90+ duck were on the lagoon the ice close to the catching area appeared to make the duck suspicious something was wrong. The few birds did not spoil the public demonstration of bird ringing. Members of the public, especially the children were very attentive.

Eye comparison of three Oystercatchers showing in the foreground the brown eye of a juvenile (Copyright Fraser Rush)

The bonus wader - Bar-tailed Godwit (Copyright Fraser Rush)

Comparing two juvenile Shelduck to ascertain which are male and female (Copyright Adrian Bayley)

Neil showing attentive children and adults the finer points of a Moorhen plumage (Copyright Adrian Bayley)

Ducks scared of Christmas

With 20 volunteers from all adjoining counties to Devon assembled at daybreak with the view of having a reasonable catch of duck. Alas up to 60 Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard and a few Black-tailed Godwits chose to linger away from our net. Were they afraid of being caught may have exposed them to becoming a festive dinner! Anyway they got the better of us. The team were very good spirited even after waiting patiently for three hours without success. It turned into a friendly social get together.

Carefully storing the cannon-net which stayed dry for a change (Photo Adrian Bayley)

Are you sure that Heron was carrying a fish that big! (Photo Adrian Bayley)

Long Weekend

Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday 8th - 12th November was a very busy time for the Group, especially as our first cannon-net catch of the winter took place. Friday evening was our wader night, although not that successful did result in three birds, a Common and a Jack Snipe and one Curlew. The Sunday morning catch included, Black-tailed Godwits and Wigeon followed on the Tuesday with many passarines, a Sparrowhawk and a Kingfisher. Over the whole period 72 birds were caught and processed.

What a pair:Jack Snipe and Common Snipe (Photo Mike Tyler)

A hive of activity processing the cannon-net catch (Photo Adrian Bayley)

Come on Catharine it will not bite! (Photo Adrian Bayley)

Peter giving this bird a though check (Photo Adrian Bayley)

A lovely Grey Wagtail (Photo Adrian Bayley)

Nice surprises

Today at a public demonstration few birds were caught but two nice surprises for those who waited until later in the morning. After the usual local species a Kestrel and Kingfisher were caught which completed the morning's nice close-ups.

Adult male Kestrel (Photo Richard Austin)

That's an unusual fish! (Photo Richard Austin)

Erecting mist nets at dawn (Photo Richard Austin)

Dark evening wader catch

Our first after dark wader catch this year was a reasonable success with nine birds. One Black-tailed Godwit and eight Curlew.

Setting the nets in sticky gooey mud! (Photograph Adrian Bayley)

Careful extraction of a Black-tailed Godwit with carrying box at the ready
(Photograph Adrian Bayley)

Note the longer bill of the female Curlew (Photograph Mike Tyler)