tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18319819049141012422024-03-05T05:36:39.050+00:00Ivel Ringing GroupThe Ivel Ringing Group was formed in 1990 and currently consists of half a dozen ringers and as many trainees/helpers. We operate at sites across Bedfordshire, some associated with the river Great Ouse, but concentrating on the CES sites as well as catching Mute Swans.BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.comBlogger331125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-91751073869914641142018-03-19T16:42:00.003+00:002018-03-19T16:42:58.231+00:00Dear Readers,<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, on 31/12/2016, Ivel Ringing Group closed. We will leave this blog as it is for the record. Group reports will continue to be available on the right hand side of the page (including the final group report when published).<br />
<br />
Group members continue to ring on their sites on their own ring allocations.<br />
<br />
Please be aware that links to other pages etc. will not be maintained in the future so may not work.<br />
<br />
Thanks to everyone for their support of Ivel Ringing Group.BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-90399000006143327942015-04-28T15:20:00.000+01:002015-04-28T15:20:19.553+01:00April news<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The year to date, ringing wise, has been reasonably productive. A good breeding season last summer and a mild winter (the second in a row) has helped survival of our resident and overwintering species.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This has been reflected at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve (SSNR) where a large number of Reed Buntings interspersed with good numbers of Yellowhammer have been seen in large mixed flocks around the hedgerows and near my netting area.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br />So far this year I have ringed 34 new Reed Buntings at SSNR (previous year high total was 10 last year and only 20 in total for the site). 9 Yellowhammers have also been ringed this year with 8 caught between September and December last year. None had been ringed on site prior to these. There were far more birds around than I ringed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3W_ka055EZ7_ztc1H6IRoZQjz6EMZT6Hiz6Csrkc7_U7MlwNJeIvLAsRRO4xNYtw0oI8wBplnl5fckUdbHloQjmqKQ4Ef_cH8ap5kH_PsbfzvFJLAIYlR1EXWJc2YLU8aEXotgziPjgkK/s1600/P1070984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3W_ka055EZ7_ztc1H6IRoZQjz6EMZT6Hiz6Csrkc7_U7MlwNJeIvLAsRRO4xNYtw0oI8wBplnl5fckUdbHloQjmqKQ4Ef_cH8ap5kH_PsbfzvFJLAIYlR1EXWJc2YLU8aEXotgziPjgkK/s1600/P1070984.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: A male Reed Bunting. Hopefully these birds will disperse and get reported elsewhere!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
News came through recently that a Jay ringed on 06/09/14 was found dead at Freeby Wood, in Leicestershire 73 days later. A movement of 89km, in a NNW direction. This is only the second recorded movement of Jay for the Ivel Ringing Group (IRG). The only other record is of one found dead at Tempsford, 2 km away from the original ringing site in 1991.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
There are resident Jays at SSNR, but whether this bird was resident or one that was already on migration will not be known. It does show though that Jays can be mobile during the Autumn/Winter in search of food and suitable wintering grounds. Not many Jays are normally ringed, so last years total of 8 at SSNR was exceptional.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJ0T4q_IagvmqNXiazct6MOkUb4uNQUPYBRZEAXejBWkCPF4ffQpLAoczJ6FnPxKb6QmTCW_9L19rm_mnAWRUS9uuxZhL2T8Bum8uIDwE8s0IZCzQdFTvWfHJIcWvWz_O9qeTR8plNb0L/s1600/P1080076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJ0T4q_IagvmqNXiazct6MOkUb4uNQUPYBRZEAXejBWkCPF4ffQpLAoczJ6FnPxKb6QmTCW_9L19rm_mnAWRUS9uuxZhL2T8Bum8uIDwE8s0IZCzQdFTvWfHJIcWvWz_O9qeTR8plNb0L/s1600/P1080076.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: A Jay was retrapped </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This Jay was first ringed on 28/06/13 and retrapped approximately 1 year 9 months later - a new IRG longevity record. This was also the first Jay ringed on site. On the same day as this Jay was retrapped, I ringed a new Magpie (6th for SSNR) and 2 smelly Jackdaws!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0gHYw2qLp_NOBMlXVqreyxQCeXZc5wHxPUnRbSSOvPNREaUNO5__qokiBL3hqueTprOSjdM0ZNXeH5Ci3ycU1Hrw4PRMShEC2ofLL1i2XNmpuhqFaUjhFs1A7Px0sxWX8HOz3ichRpZl/s1600/P1080078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0gHYw2qLp_NOBMlXVqreyxQCeXZc5wHxPUnRbSSOvPNREaUNO5__qokiBL3hqueTprOSjdM0ZNXeH5Ci3ycU1Hrw4PRMShEC2ofLL1i2XNmpuhqFaUjhFs1A7Px0sxWX8HOz3ichRpZl/s1600/P1080078.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Above: A Jackdaw</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Below: A male Great Spotted Woodpecker</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_ljG88BV3dPIBs-FcMpkEDO7-viingeygbHJvLTlHfRxkA4MA8-QGg1ThpLsvDl7sd70cUZf0fg-9S80Mc7_bV49FCd4ix9oel48sFSGQZgjm6BCtIA3MSgO4SLuwpo9Sqq9WAI143ou/s1600/P1080091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_ljG88BV3dPIBs-FcMpkEDO7-viingeygbHJvLTlHfRxkA4MA8-QGg1ThpLsvDl7sd70cUZf0fg-9S80Mc7_bV49FCd4ix9oel48sFSGQZgjm6BCtIA3MSgO4SLuwpo9Sqq9WAI143ou/s1600/P1080091.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I seem to be covering longevity records, the Great Spotted Woodpecker above, also became a site and IRG longevity record during April at 4 years and 1 month. This same bird was the previous record holder! Interestingly, it is only trapped during the breeding season. Perhaps it uses SSNR to breed and goes elsewhere for Autumn and Winter - or else it only needs a supplementary food source (nuts) whilst breeding. New site longevity records for Great Tit and Robin were also set this year. I expect a few more to tumble as the year progresses.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
143 new birds of 24 species have so far been ringed at SSNR this year. When you add 'new for year' retraps to the total, 237 individual birds have been handled.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been less active at Priory Country Park so far this year, though 2 sessions - including the pre CES visit - were conducted recently. The pick of the birds was this one:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjce4bqFltGfrLXbE5fdw9OCHV7qSgsg0MQio-zHT0o0ubkYdC_UUaJM61lM7c4jQK3VFSZRKHU7GsD7Av3o6H4lYEXjniZiiB02fRMUlM1e73E6ory9_pI2EBMzXXWXyzqFzFWsHvvE4s/s1600/P1080098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjce4bqFltGfrLXbE5fdw9OCHV7qSgsg0MQio-zHT0o0ubkYdC_UUaJM61lM7c4jQK3VFSZRKHU7GsD7Av3o6H4lYEXjniZiiB02fRMUlM1e73E6ory9_pI2EBMzXXWXyzqFzFWsHvvE4s/s1600/P1080098.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: A control (ringed elsewhere) female Blackcap </div>
<br />
The start of the Constant Effort season is only days away (it starts on Sunday) so I will be busy with 2 sites for the summer. Only time will tell what sort of weather will come our way and whether it will be a good breeding season or not. My fingers are definitely crossed in hope!<br />
<br />
In other news, last year saw the Ivel Ringing Group database reach over 100,000 records! This is a major achievement for the group. Since 1990, a lot of dedicated volunteer ringers (and other helpers) have helped over the years, to monitor and increase our knowledge of birds on a local and national level. Thank you and well done to everyone.<br />
<br />
BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-2983960841813961992015-01-12T23:21:00.003+00:002015-01-12T23:21:35.025+00:00IRG Bird Ringing Report 2010 - 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">
Happy New Year to all our readers. We hope you had a good Christmas and New Year.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The IRG Bird Ringing Report 2010 - 2013 is now completed. You can view it by <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxhig7cUIOGucXllMHJZTkNqbm8/view?usp=sharing">clicking here</a> or by clicking on the link on the right hand side of this page.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_u15IBoTWtklwlPz4qMvmrUmtJwyTrZHsssXv_OmVHG8LWLVcULpPLICR6Wlad4j-4NIBKRCp7nE5Us_VbR1NJllEjwH_nVbm0W7T460DDzE10pI5NR2L5WO87BVKIWA-xcgeWMrnYLTN/s1600/P1060756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_u15IBoTWtklwlPz4qMvmrUmtJwyTrZHsssXv_OmVHG8LWLVcULpPLICR6Wlad4j-4NIBKRCp7nE5Us_VbR1NJllEjwH_nVbm0W7T460DDzE10pI5NR2L5WO87BVKIWA-xcgeWMrnYLTN/s1600/P1060756.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We hope 2015 will be a bird filled year for you all!</div>
BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-53239782920265469312014-11-17T23:07:00.001+00:002014-11-17T23:07:02.774+00:00New for Year totals and a few recoveriesI have, quite rightly, been chided for not updating this blog in a quite a while - sorry for that. By way of an update on my ringing sites (Priory Country Park and Sandy Smith Nature Reserve) I feel it would be best to give you New for Year totals (for those unfamiliar with this phrase it gives a proven population total filtering out same year retraps).<br />
<br />
<strong>Priory Country Park</strong><br />
<br />
Woodpigeon 2<br />
Green Woodpecker 4<br />
Great Spotted Woodpecker 2<br />
Wren 26<br />
Dunnock 41<br />
Robin 25<br />
Blackbird 31<br />
Song Thrush 11<br />
Reed Warbler 13<br />
Whitethroat 19<br />
Garden Warbler 29<br />
Blackcap 148<br />
Chiffchaff 41<br />
Willow Warbler 2<br />
Goldcrest 10<br />
Long Tailed Tit 13<br />
Blue Tit 85<br />
Great Tit 60<br />
Treecreeper 4<br />
Magpie 2<br />
Chaffinch 16<br />
Goldfinch 8<br />
Bullfinch 7<br />
<br />
This comprises of 599 individual birds of 23 species. CES results are included in the totals - but so are non-CES results. All 12 CES visits were completed for the 4th year running. CES results this year were much improved on the previous two years, though not spectacular. The highlight being 4 Green Woodpeckers - normally we are lucky to catch 1 per year at this site - and a Blackbird first ringed in 2005 (a new IRG longevity record at an elderly 8 years, 312 days). Also of note were 10 Goldcrests caught before the arrival those of continental origins. An exceptional breeding year for the park.<br />
<br />
<strong>Sandy Smith Nature Reserve</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Mute Swan 1</strong><br />
Kingfisher 4<br />
Green Woodpecker 2<br />
Great Spotted Woodpecker 11<br />
Meadow Pipit 1<br />
<strong>Yellow Wagtail 1</strong><br />
<strong>Pied Wagtail 1</strong><br />
Wren 42<br />
Dunnock 41<br />
Robin 14<br />
<strong>Stonechat 2</strong><br />
Blackbird 8<br />
Song Thrush 5<br />
Sedge Warbler 12<br />
Reed Warbler 5<br />
<strong>Lesser Whitethroat 1</strong><br />
Whitethroat 35<br />
Garden Warbler 8<br />
Blackcap 98<br />
Chiffchaff 31<br />
Willow Warbler 8<br />
Goldcrest 6<br />
Spotted Flycatcher 1<br />
Long Tailed Tit 26<br />
Marsh Tit 1<br />
Coal Tit 7<br />
Blue Tit 138<br />
Great Tit 151<br />
Nuthatch 4<br />
Treecreeper 4<br />
Jay 8<br />
Magpie 4<br />
Jackdaw 1<br />
Chaffinch 20<br />
Greenfinch 1<br />
Goldfinch 4<br />
<strong>Yellowhammer 1</strong><br />
Reed Bunting 5<br />
<br />
This comprises of 713 individual birds of 38 species. All species new for the site this year are in bold (53 species have now been ringed on site & one - Mute Swan - with colour rings read). Of note - it was an extremely good year for catching Jays - at 8 new birds this is more than were caught in the entire county last year. Whitethroats had good numbers of adults around but didn't have a successful breeding season. The end of August & beginning of September were extremely good for high catch totals (150 being the highest of 3 sessions that went over 100).<br />
<br />
Best bird status has to go to Stonechat. A juvenile male and female were ringed yesterday (16/11/14). The first in 20 years for the group - with just 3 previous records.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60XX5j0gPwaOL_EMw-yInosXw15c1tUT3BBIM0gAjnqcwu22oQIWp6yiTHuhw5-TJ_Tqp75nK3HNll6JVPNVZ7QkM64xBE3g6QgqfPoHc75A4kvpSGY5tMeEQmMYQCpjOu0y6IVG_ovKJ/s1600/P1070686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60XX5j0gPwaOL_EMw-yInosXw15c1tUT3BBIM0gAjnqcwu22oQIWp6yiTHuhw5-TJ_Tqp75nK3HNll6JVPNVZ7QkM64xBE3g6QgqfPoHc75A4kvpSGY5tMeEQmMYQCpjOu0y6IVG_ovKJ/s1600/P1070686.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPM434ngZQ9j6sh7zswIPPMM05IXYxGShrq9oEhMNK4S1k6otsmIN2te4Y7HCva_Hm5_7Qmi-tqDr0cW_in_mjc9EfMaDQpP5xLbZ_MmVjwtAQMM1FaVbj33gEStTVvAL83V3Oo4-qsWle/s1600/P1070670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPM434ngZQ9j6sh7zswIPPMM05IXYxGShrq9oEhMNK4S1k6otsmIN2te4Y7HCva_Hm5_7Qmi-tqDr0cW_in_mjc9EfMaDQpP5xLbZ_MmVjwtAQMM1FaVbj33gEStTVvAL83V3Oo4-qsWle/s1600/P1070670.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: Male and Female Stonechat.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
More photographs of the Stonechats and a Pied Wagtail can be found on my blog <a href="http://greenwoodringer.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">here</a> as well as other highlights of the year.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
News of a few recoveries have filtered through as follows:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Blue Tit - V670579 - Ringed 28/05/12 at John O'Gaunt Golf Club. Recaptured 21/04/14 in Potton. A movement of 2 km, 693 days later.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Kestrel - EL36089 - Ringed 07/02/13 at Carlton. Road Casualy 21/09/14 in Chellington. A movement of 3 km, 591 days later.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Blue Tit - L302621 - Ringed 05/03/12 at Preston, Hertfordshire. Recaptured 12/04/14 Maydencroft Manor, Hertfordshire. A movement of 4 km, 768 days later.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Swallow - D044249 - Ringed 26/06/13 at Cardington. Ring read in field - 01/08/14 at Southill. A movement of 9 km, 401 days later.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-39677147185173963822014-07-30T23:04:00.000+01:002014-07-30T23:04:37.369+01:00CES UpdateGoing by the overall numbers caught on each CES session at Priory Country Park this year, totals are up on 2012 and 2013 (which were 2 of the worst years in over 20 years of CES survey work here).<br />
<br />
CES 1 - 04/05/14 - 15 (11) = 26 of 9 species<br />
CES 2 - 18/05/14 - 8 (5) = 13 of 9 species<br />
CES 3 - 31/05/14 - 19 (10) = 29 of 9 species<br />
CES 4 - 08/06/14 - 19 (4) = 23 of 6 species<br />
CES 5 - 19/06/14 - 15 (7) = 22 of 8 species<br />
CES 6 - 30/06/14 - 20 (7) = 27 of 11 species<br />
CES 7 - 06/07/14 - 25 (4) = 29 of 13 species<br />
CES 8 - 20/07/14 - 40 (4) = 44 of 12 species<br />
CES 9 - 27/07/14 - 42 (4) = 46 of 14 species<br />
<br />
That adds up to 142 new birds and 56 recaptures = 198 handlings of 21 species. <br />
<br />
Including an additional, pre CES session in April, the new for year totals so far are:<br />
<br />
Green Woodpecker 3 (including a retrap adult from 2011& a juvenile)<br />
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 (a juvenile)<br />
Wren 24 (including one from 2012)<br />
Dunnock 23 (including 2 from 2011)<br />
Robin 19 (including 1 from 2011)<br />
Blackbird 18 (including retraps from 2005, 2007 and 2008)<br />
Song Thrush 4 (all new)<br />
Reed Warbler 7 (all new)<br />
Whitethroat 15 (including 2 from 2011)<br />
Garden Warbler 21 (including 1 from 2010)<br />
Blackcap 63 (including 1 from 2012)<br />
Chiffchaff 17 (including 1 from 2011 - a new IRG longevity record - and a British ringed control)<br />
Goldcrest 2 (2 juveniles)<br />
Long Tailed Tit 3 (including 1 from 2011)<br />
Blue Tit 15 (including 1 from 2011)<br />
Great Tit 16 (including 1 from 2010 and 2 from 2011)<br />
Treecreeper 1 (all new)<br />
Magpie 2 (2 juveniles)<br />
Chaffinch 3 (including 1 from 2011)<br />
Goldfinch 1 (all new)<br />
Bullfinch 5 (including 1 from 2013)<br />
<br />
A successful ringing demonstration was given to the guided bird walk on CES 9. They saw a wide range of species from Reed Warbler and Blackcap, to Blue Tit and Blackbird. The best though, was a juvenile Green Woodpecker.<br />
<br />
I've just about managed to get each session in (it was nip and tuck for a couple due to other commitments & the weather) and I'm hoping to make each of the next 3, which will make 4 consecutive years of complete visits. Hopefully the increase in numbers will continue and the weather will hold good.BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-26334209062030719792014-05-31T21:41:00.001+01:002014-05-31T21:43:47.238+01:00May Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
May has been a busy month for the birds whether they've been constructing nests, incubating eggs or feeding young (or all 3!). With the mild winter and good weather through April into May, there were signs aplenty that young would be fledging from the nest early this year. But has it proved to be that way?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>Ringing results so far this year at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve:</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
(species that I can expect to catch juveniles)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Great Spotted Woodpecker = 8 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wren = 8 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dunnock = 5 adults, 2 juveniles (28/05/14 - earliest site record, previous 12/06/11)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Robin = 1 adult, 0 juveniles</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blackbird = 5 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sedge Warbler = 10 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Whitethroat = 16 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Garden Warbler = 6 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blackcap = 15 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chiffchaff = 7 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Goldcrest = 0 adults, 1 juvenile (29/05/14 - earliest site record, previous 21/09/13)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Long Tailed Tit = 6 adults, 2 juveniles (29/05/14 - earliest site record, previous 28/06/13)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blue Tit = 10 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Great Tit = 10 adults, 6 juveniles (29/05/14 - earliest site record, previous 30/05/11)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chaffinch = 7 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
The highlight amongst the above was the juvenile Goldcrest which was only the 2nd local juvenile ringed here after one last year. All the other Goldcrests are probable migrants caught much later in the year.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrZ81A-T_odUdiUFBTpOvPX67qC6CburlaMfmIyI2oHNqQQ4n0lOu8Xz7MhAymXn4PDd0P4uhqBbO4vJGBjJwUAw9tbzt66_XOCDD1xB6S3gwAOkAa-i7XvRT4IIsYPn19tNCtqN59lPo/s1600/P1070162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_648895="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrZ81A-T_odUdiUFBTpOvPX67qC6CburlaMfmIyI2oHNqQQ4n0lOu8Xz7MhAymXn4PDd0P4uhqBbO4vJGBjJwUAw9tbzt66_XOCDD1xB6S3gwAOkAa-i7XvRT4IIsYPn19tNCtqN59lPo/s1600/P1070162.JPG" height="320" lta="true" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: Juvenile Goldcrest</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF8TPZBops950cXx99OZd8WiKihhu8gVyhgYA-kUHZ8A7sH49qWIVhGbS1VeAaReOayMYnV-_jEDIqwfkN5V4pV_lzEFAkBaSY4Gtz2IL14JzZQIrb5eNeLlQVReJ8zEmXQROQ5Sq7Hnl/s1600/P1070166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_648895="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF8TPZBops950cXx99OZd8WiKihhu8gVyhgYA-kUHZ8A7sH49qWIVhGbS1VeAaReOayMYnV-_jEDIqwfkN5V4pV_lzEFAkBaSY4Gtz2IL14JzZQIrb5eNeLlQVReJ8zEmXQROQ5Sq7Hnl/s1600/P1070166.JPG" height="320" lta="true" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
Above: Another highlight was this adult Jay (2nd ringed at SSNR).</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Below: As well as this Kingfisher</div>
<div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUnxxTvMkAHh4r6YKXqdHrVitNsrclCynRftufn3-2fDK7RKelb21rvcCIEUwoj0FeEd7s3MtOs0w6MS3Q_2GI1BEYbcnG5DXkDweONszAdJeNFaBSdAwG7Hlhyphenhyphena3Ahy3OAZvH4jkuYPJ/s1600/P1070130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_648895="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUnxxTvMkAHh4r6YKXqdHrVitNsrclCynRftufn3-2fDK7RKelb21rvcCIEUwoj0FeEd7s3MtOs0w6MS3Q_2GI1BEYbcnG5DXkDweONszAdJeNFaBSdAwG7Hlhyphenhyphena3Ahy3OAZvH4jkuYPJ/s1600/P1070130.JPG" height="240" lta="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<strong>Ringing results so far this year at Priory Country Park:</strong></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
(species that I can expect to catch juveniles - CES visits only)</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Green Woodpecker = 1 adult, 0 juveniles</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Wren = 9 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Dunnock = 6 adults, 2 juveniles (31/05/14 - earliest = 11/05/09)</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Robin = 1 adult, 4 juveniles (18/05/14 - earliest = 04/05/09)</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Blackbird = 5 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Song Thrush = 2 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Whitethroat = 4 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Garden Warbler = 8 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Blackcap = 18 adults, 3 juveniles (31/05/14 - earliest = 25/05/07)</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Chiffchaff = 7 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Long Tailed Tit = 2 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Blue Tit = 5 adults, 4 juveniles (31/05/14 - earliest = 22/05/11)</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Great Tit = 4 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Bullfinch = 2 adults, 0 juveniles</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
There have been other highlights of the CES ringing sessions. A male blackbird, first ringed on 15/10/2005 was recaptured on 18/05/2014, 8 years and 215 days later. This sets a new longevity record for the site and for Ivel Ringing Group.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBUqtw-ednegoM9BO6jvTaY0-iZ3FEIhWNH4pAtjegDW1kxKVLLyp3jbbh-GYEkV-3SVLoECIHMgFs0c-KwBruJKVINKS37MBQvXkxm5k_-eEo78ameLrYyrGunp4CQgNuxwVP-8_ZjbK/s1600/P1070141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_648895="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBUqtw-ednegoM9BO6jvTaY0-iZ3FEIhWNH4pAtjegDW1kxKVLLyp3jbbh-GYEkV-3SVLoECIHMgFs0c-KwBruJKVINKS37MBQvXkxm5k_-eEo78ameLrYyrGunp4CQgNuxwVP-8_ZjbK/s1600/P1070141.JPG" height="240" lta="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: This Chiffchaff is a British ringed control caught on 18 & 31/05/14.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First ringing details not yet known.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlycaWDJMy3kabmyP62R2FFqPaCCkHwqWCaXvW_qzj8U3YtBSQjDHdzz5AIT_l-HIdj3PfQhpTnYfjJikcHNT0HDao1g2tgp95WcmkDNCUbl8V0wQcU36NX6krKRDbgFEYpC4jMXX4YqI/s1600/P1070131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_648895="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlycaWDJMy3kabmyP62R2FFqPaCCkHwqWCaXvW_qzj8U3YtBSQjDHdzz5AIT_l-HIdj3PfQhpTnYfjJikcHNT0HDao1g2tgp95WcmkDNCUbl8V0wQcU36NX6krKRDbgFEYpC4jMXX4YqI/s1600/P1070131.JPG" height="240" lta="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
Above: A juvenile Robin</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
Despite the recent heavy rains, I'm optomistic that this will still turn out to be a good breeding year. It's still early in the year and there's a lot more juveniles to catch up with on both these sites.</div>
BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-89614884050403567062014-04-18T22:02:00.002+01:002014-04-18T22:04:42.218+01:00Migrants & BreedingWith migrating birds still coming in (or yet to arrive in some species cases), some of those that have arrived are already getting down to business building nests and breeding. Resident species are also doing the same.<br />
<br />
A pre-CES session on Wednesday at Priory Country Park, Bedford produced the following:<br />
<br />
Green Woodpecker 0 (1) - 2 years, 315 days (from 2011)<br />
<br />
Wren 3 (2) - including one from 2012<br />
Dunnock 0 (4) - including one from 2011<br />
Robin 1 (0)<br />
Blackbird 1 (0)<br />
Song Thrush 2 (0)<br />
Blackcap 6 (1) - including a control<br />
Chiffchaff 1 (1) - retrap from 2011<br />
Long Tailed Tit 1 (1) - retrap from 2011<br />
Blue Tit 3 (1) - retrap from 2011<br />
Great Tit 1 (1)<br />
Chaffinch 2 (0)<br />
Bullfinch 1 (0)<br />
<br />
I was struck by the number of females already well advanced with brood patches and in egg. Already in egg were: Long Tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Dunnock Brood patches were present in: Song Thrush, Blackcap, Blackbird, Chaffinch.<br />
<br />
If the weather stays good, we could be in for a good breeding season.BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-11729020179444659522014-04-06T19:55:00.000+01:002014-04-18T22:03:55.093+01:00A return to action<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The start of 2014 was a bit windy and a wash out, meaning not many ringers were able to put any mist nets up. I've also been busy elsewhere but I've managed to find a bit of free time coinciding with ringable weather so a couple of early morning starts at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve have produced the following (retraps in brackets).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 (3) - 4 different birds (including an IRG & site longevity record at 3 years and 15 days)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wren 0 (2)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dunnock 0 (5) - including a site longevity record at 3 years, 25 days</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blackbird 1 (0) - a breeding female with a advanced brood patch (code 3)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Song Thrush 1 (0)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chiffchaff 1 (0) - the first of the spring migrants</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Long Tailed Tit 1 (1) - see photographs below</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blue Tit 1 (3)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Great Tit 1 (4)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chaffinch 2 (1)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
10 new birds and 19 retraps (29 handlings, 26 different birds).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There was one bird that went away unringed - that's because we are forbidden to ring this game species:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nUYipeuFVau6NnURnTvBmyUIF_QeBhEoJ8y8I30_tO_8S_ofhpkvKdDgFYo85hVHZVP_24fCo3tdemXnnpNtFcjrZWvA9Kx9hbMxXpa_OnKPSQAnkdtNUr_P2_7jFrp0JigEWH1zwdVJ/s1600/P1070016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_799441="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nUYipeuFVau6NnURnTvBmyUIF_QeBhEoJ8y8I30_tO_8S_ofhpkvKdDgFYo85hVHZVP_24fCo3tdemXnnpNtFcjrZWvA9Kx9hbMxXpa_OnKPSQAnkdtNUr_P2_7jFrp0JigEWH1zwdVJ/s1600/P1070016.JPG" height="320" width="240" yta="true" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
Above: A Red-Legged Partridge</div>
<br />
Red-Legged Partridges, if they do stray into mist nets, would be more likely to leave a hole than to stay in. This one, after having a photo taken, was released and left to go on its merry way.<br />
<br />
A much more regularly caught bird, the Long Tailed Tit, threw up another surprise as you can see:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfv5A7mq5WDIVMs-vZ_dFub0-HjXdL7onNE0CG1kWIJ66QwI49dAjmlGwKQhotB04N8PT1xTU8rBcCkY3aOBJcOzjCJyXJdUitaACABdnEeWelotJUk_qRHiTksFz2Kwexi1o07QTnf5D/s1600/P1070022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_799441="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfv5A7mq5WDIVMs-vZ_dFub0-HjXdL7onNE0CG1kWIJ66QwI49dAjmlGwKQhotB04N8PT1xTU8rBcCkY3aOBJcOzjCJyXJdUitaACABdnEeWelotJUk_qRHiTksFz2Kwexi1o07QTnf5D/s1600/P1070022.JPG" height="240" width="320" yta="true" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above & Below: Long Tailed Tit</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjus-S_z371ARAQuXibO1IsQ82ydbZqCjCs6i86FL9z-dP5rCjhFKyDXD1GumJN7-d-o5rBVk-9CKEW9nxxQGp2HTGR1qnv_5rTrTg31muAkLzrpkPb_s7YsnPk1r7tkhGRfSJ8Jt1Fg8/s1600/P1070025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_799441="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjus-S_z371ARAQuXibO1IsQ82ydbZqCjCs6i86FL9z-dP5rCjhFKyDXD1GumJN7-d-o5rBVk-9CKEW9nxxQGp2HTGR1qnv_5rTrTg31muAkLzrpkPb_s7YsnPk1r7tkhGRfSJ8Jt1Fg8/s1600/P1070025.JPG" height="240" width="320" yta="true" /></a></div>
<br />
This bird still retained some pigmentation, but was remarkably pale all over. It was caught along with a regularly coloured bird (presumably a pair) and had a better weight, though the colour of the bird does not effect it's ability to feed. It may provide it with more camouflage during the snowy times though!BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-59137752748059993562013-08-23T00:00:00.000+01:002013-08-23T00:00:36.016+01:00Recent recoveriesHere is a list of recent recoveries that Ivel Ringing Group has received:
LESSER REDPOLL, ringed Sandy Smith Nature Reserve (Bedfordshire) 24/11/12, controlled Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire 05/05/13. 275 km, 162 days, NNW.
SISKIN, ringed Sandy Smith Nature Reserve 08/12/12, controlled Callander, Stirling 530 km, 154 days, NNW.
SISKIN, ringed Wibrin, Luxembourg, BELGIUM 24/02/12, controlled Sandy Smith Nature Reserve 08/08/12. 474km, 288 days, WNW.
REED BUNTING, ringed Sandy Smith Nature Reserve 26/05/12, field observation Southill, (Bedfordshire) 12/04/13. 6 km, 321 days, NE.
MAGPIE, ringed Chalton STW (Bedfordshire) 29/09/12, road casualty, Haynes (Bedfordshire) 10/03/13. 14 km, 162 days, NNE.
CHAFFINCH, ringed Everton (Bedfordshire) 07/08/11, found dead, Little Paxton 10/03/13. 12 km, 581 days, N.
BLUE TIT, ringed Carlton (Bedfordshire) 22/10/12, controlled Olney, Milton Keynes 19/05/13. 8 km, 209 days.
SWALLOW, ringed Marston Moretaine (Bedfordshire) 02/09/12, controlled Rainworth, Nottinghamshire 14/05/13. 125 km, 254 days.BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-2455052112232892462013-06-05T00:07:00.000+01:002013-06-05T00:07:12.278+01:00Eager to learn<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">By Martin A:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I gave a talk to the Eversholt Beaver pack on Monday 3rd June. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Twenty Beavers, all 6 and 7 years old, came to my ringing station which happens to be in my back garden. Unfortunately, due to the strengthening breeze, I only managed to catch them two Greenfinch but they were an adult male and female so I was able to show them the differences. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The Beavers showed just how eager they were to learn and asked some great questions!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I also showed them a Coal Tit nest and pictures of the eggs and the adult bird. We talked about putting up bird boxes and what to feed the birds. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HGlJF1fJbNwqTeXcbycfPvV_p8Zc-a5aS7KvdfqQ4GCnzcrN7taIo3F0LX2DDTdve9yp4f3mMw025qsn6zABFQUuEBNIO6DL5WlwixTLxrmZt0y_Ie1GiEZe7PAftveAag-uas3nL8q0/s1600/DSC02036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HGlJF1fJbNwqTeXcbycfPvV_p8Zc-a5aS7KvdfqQ4GCnzcrN7taIo3F0LX2DDTdve9yp4f3mMw025qsn6zABFQUuEBNIO6DL5WlwixTLxrmZt0y_Ie1GiEZe7PAftveAag-uas3nL8q0/s320/DSC02036.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
Above & below: Martin (dark blue top) shows the Eversholt Beaver pack a Greenfinch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjJYgqqqRhDCk5IoofNnqaCOf2sitaeEwBGKcYa8AT0Ke5cHkLoObLFjNc_8g1LRF7kD1SRv749LFY3Sb1pF5xC_ig9gdWsCBpZl4ULkCdryaSVzGOKwccS3_QOF_XhgdWTpBubqOF45Q/s1600/DSC02037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjJYgqqqRhDCk5IoofNnqaCOf2sitaeEwBGKcYa8AT0Ke5cHkLoObLFjNc_8g1LRF7kD1SRv749LFY3Sb1pF5xC_ig9gdWsCBpZl4ULkCdryaSVzGOKwccS3_QOF_XhgdWTpBubqOF45Q/s320/DSC02037.JPG" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
After half an hour the Beavers had to go. I hope a good time was had by all.BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-36314998008154636262013-06-02T01:57:00.000+01:002013-06-02T01:58:18.757+01:00Marston Vale Millennium Country Park - Saturday 1st JuneA late morning session at the Millennium Country Park in Marston Moretaine produced some quality results.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_zZNaRln7hwQI6v9Rhg91qaa_B4Q36zWvvzq7VlazYMiqXKbwAKz4OXnFLeG95TRVeOX-ba5JEJiXRTlkOf7ErPLcdsC2pD_J3A17wIjv39YtWD-_3n8BEwbo9l4FHRz2AtqtePnv-tZ/s1600/mvp+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_zZNaRln7hwQI6v9Rhg91qaa_B4Q36zWvvzq7VlazYMiqXKbwAKz4OXnFLeG95TRVeOX-ba5JEJiXRTlkOf7ErPLcdsC2pD_J3A17wIjv39YtWD-_3n8BEwbo9l4FHRz2AtqtePnv-tZ/s400/mvp+005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reed Warbler - 1st of two controls caught</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Totals ringed/retrapped/controlled were:<br />
<br />
Dunnock - / 1 / -<br />
Sedge Warbler 3 / - / -<br />
Reed Warbler 4 / - / 2<br />
Lesser Whitethroat 1 / - / -<br />
Whitethroat - / 2 / - <br />
Long-tailed Tit 1 / 1 / -<br />
Blue Tit - / 1 / -<br />
TOTAL 9 / 5 / 2<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnW4k6XfORtqwjLMy-GlEEP0drY_IfRKvG8yOLqf7Znl1jIJR4-wA62tygweydICVZt50M3NZNgHDFlh2_N0IXJOzWyAiLne0v4o4dtubBdyie2sb0gGDz_a7FWKNJOS3wV4sFdhIuNwpZ/s1600/mvp+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnW4k6XfORtqwjLMy-GlEEP0drY_IfRKvG8yOLqf7Znl1jIJR4-wA62tygweydICVZt50M3NZNgHDFlh2_N0IXJOzWyAiLne0v4o4dtubBdyie2sb0gGDz_a7FWKNJOS3wV4sFdhIuNwpZ/s400/mvp+009.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Whitethroat - adult female</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Both of the Reed Warbler controls had BTO rings; it will be interesting to see where they were ringed.<br />
<br />
Aside from the ringing, there was a lot of noise from Water Rails in the reed bed - it sounded like several young birds were calling; there were also many Swifts hunting very low over the reeds; groups of young Starlings were dashing around calling loudly.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comMarston Moretaine, Central Bedfordshire, UK52.058907499675186 -0.5416492221679618552.049145499675184 -0.56181922216796187 52.068669499675188 -0.52147922216796183tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-67069055597902030732013-05-22T01:13:00.003+01:002013-05-22T01:13:56.510+01:00CES 2 and other sessionsOn Saturday, CES session 2 was run at Priory Country Park as follows:<br />
<br />
Wren 1 (1)<br />
Dunnock 1 (4) - two of the retraps from 2010<br />
Reed Warbler 2 (0)<br />
Whitethroat 1 (1)<br />
Garden Warbler 1 (0)<br />
Blackcap 0 (2) - one of the retraps was from 2011<br />
Long Tailed Tit 1 (0)<br />
Blue Tit 1 (0)<br />
<br />
7 new & 9 retraps = 16 birds of 8 species.<br />
<br />
Averages for CES 2 are 15 new and 6 retraps. Thus, CES 2 this year (as CES 1) is showing fewer new birds than average but more retraps than average. I am told there are fewer Chiffchaffs around than normal and none have yet been ringed on CES.<br />
<br />
On Friday and Sunday, I did a couple of sessions at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve which proved worthwhile. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrL4ICij3U0W890690DiRZC98eNnSTEjaOccKYm7ZXp948xfxT3vyAZaZIeBT1nYGBQMSM_l_ww6xWR45OZijihCBZwWjMcLcMCovEzu3HzAMCRM3BiiRabQcCwezgyrMY3n3H42-0AMv/s1600/P1060580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrL4ICij3U0W890690DiRZC98eNnSTEjaOccKYm7ZXp948xfxT3vyAZaZIeBT1nYGBQMSM_l_ww6xWR45OZijihCBZwWjMcLcMCovEzu3HzAMCRM3BiiRabQcCwezgyrMY3n3H42-0AMv/s320/P1060580.JPG" width="320" ya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: A control Common Whitethroat<br />
<br />
Friday brought the following birds:<br />
<br />
Great Spotted Woodpecker 0 (1)<br />
Dunnock 0 (1)<br />
Blackbird 0 (1)<br />
Whitethroat 2 (3) including a control<br />
Garden Warbler 1 (1)<br />
Blue Tit 0 (3)<br />
Chaffinch 3 (0)<br />
Greenfinch 1 (0)<br />
Goldfinch 1 (0)<br />
<br />
Sunday brought a few more birds:<br />
<br />
Dunnock 0 (1)<br />
Sedge Warbler 0 (1)<br />
Whitethroat 2 (2)<br />
Garden Warbler 0 (2)<br />
Blackcap 3 (0)<br />
Long Tailed Tit 0 (2)<br />
Coal Tit 0 (1)<br />
Blue Tit 0 (1)<br />
Great Tit 0 (2)<br />
Chaffinch 0 (2)<br />
Greenfinch 1 (0)<br />
Lesser Redpoll 1 (0)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlDGBXAmXkyD9sHrpg5OqyhLjC9yn6hNzo_5di69j__XKNy7llf83cScpiFOTSpkNB71wPf_-ey5nHFz5DDLE0CsDRroh-chtNggEAeJFCdtx_GLPXzLTnX3ma0TM8eizEEqDaFSxvZqy/s1600/P1060584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlDGBXAmXkyD9sHrpg5OqyhLjC9yn6hNzo_5di69j__XKNy7llf83cScpiFOTSpkNB71wPf_-ey5nHFz5DDLE0CsDRroh-chtNggEAeJFCdtx_GLPXzLTnX3ma0TM8eizEEqDaFSxvZqy/s320/P1060584.JPG" width="320" ya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: An unseasonal and suprise Lesser Redpoll. Perhaps there is still some movement of this species going on, perhaps it's staying around.<br />
<br />
A few of the birds also added to the longevity records for the site (including Whitethroat, Blue Tit & Great Tit). I don't normally catch Greenfinch here so 4 new ones recently is good.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXKxhVT1jLfLLUbOuyWhNU-YPyWMiNuNGQksanwXdeuUXz3WtCM5Os3KJ64NvtPKJOZ96nqQzjYCzU4SXEf_l232-vGVCikKPh51zBpi1gBiANpQ24zB72ujNkxzGB5BkrAXIjv1VW1qe/s1600/IMG_9482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXKxhVT1jLfLLUbOuyWhNU-YPyWMiNuNGQksanwXdeuUXz3WtCM5Os3KJ64NvtPKJOZ96nqQzjYCzU4SXEf_l232-vGVCikKPh51zBpi1gBiANpQ24zB72ujNkxzGB5BkrAXIjv1VW1qe/s320/IMG_9482.JPG" width="320" ya="true" /></a></div>
<br />Also seen at SSNR were a flock of 7 Linnets. I managed this rather poor photograph (above) before they departed.BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-79212754845539451852013-05-11T15:34:00.001+01:002013-05-11T15:34:25.067+01:00Wind free for once!As a nice change of pace, Sunday and Monday (last weekend) were largely wind free! This allowed me to get out ringing and catch some of those summer migrants that come to breed in the UK and begin another year of Constant Effort ringing at Priory Country Park (PCP).<br />
<br />
<br />On Sunday, I ran CES Visit 1 at PCP. Totals, including extra nets, were as follows (retraps in brackets):<br />
<br />
<br />
Wren 2 (1)<br />
Dunnock 1 (3)<br />
Blackbird 1 (2)<br />
Whitethroat 3 (3)<br />
Garden Warbler 1 (0)<br />
Blackcap 3 (1)<br />
Willow Warbler 2 (0)<br />
Long Tailed Tit 0 (1)<br />
Great Tit 1 (0)<br />
Chaffinch 1 (0)<br />
Bullfinch 1 (1)<br />
<br />
That makes a total of 16 new and 12 retraps - 28 overall. Average for CES visit 1 (including extra nets) is 30, of which 21 are normally 'new' and 9 are normally 'retraps'. Whilst the 2013 total is just short of average, the ratio of new to retrap is more in favour of the returning adults rather than recruitment of new adults. This could be a result of a poor breeding season last year. Delayed breeding and migration from the cold weather in early spring may also have a bearing here. But this is just a small sample and I'm far from being an expert!<br />
<br />
Whitethroats were the most numerous on this visit and could be seen feeding well around the area. One of the retraps was first ringed on 1st May 2011, whilst the other 2 retraps were both ringed on 13th May last year.<br />
<br />
2 of the 3 Dunnock retraps were from 2010 and the other from last year. One of the Blackbirds was ringed in 2010. The Blackcap retrap was ringed as a juvenile in July 2011. All the other retraps were from birds ringed in 2012.<br />
<br />
The best birds were 2 new Willow Warblers. The numbers ringed at this site have steadily decreased over the last 20 years to the point where last year was the first year where none were ringed at all.<br />
<br />
A ringing demo for The Wildlife Trust 'dawn chorus' walkers was well received.<br />
<br />
On Bank Holiday Monday, a visit to Sandy Smith Nature Reserve (SSNR) produced a tally of 40 birds of 12 species as follows (retraps in brackets). <br />
<br />
Green Woodpecker 1 (0)<br />
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 (4)<br />
Wren 2 (0)<br />
Dunnock 1 (1)<br />
Sedge Warbler 3 (1)<br />
Whitethroat 2 (5) <br />
Garden Warbler 1 (0)<br />
Long Tailed Tit 0 (1)<br />
Great Tit 1 (3)<br />
Chaffinch 6 (3)<br />
Greenfinch 2 (0)<br />
Goldfinch 2 (0)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aqWae0It90S3UDLotXHRI1yiJFUF6HI_l5fz5QnsqhwGZlBUn6FJQugSVj7CdxF0XTqzT8xADtMtP2ltQwSwGoimXoABCP-8dfq9RlKYbywMgUv0CrvuZdX04TU_U7E4ea6pm3s2Xb-s/s1600/P1060558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" mwa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aqWae0It90S3UDLotXHRI1yiJFUF6HI_l5fz5QnsqhwGZlBUn6FJQugSVj7CdxF0XTqzT8xADtMtP2ltQwSwGoimXoABCP-8dfq9RlKYbywMgUv0CrvuZdX04TU_U7E4ea6pm3s2Xb-s/s320/P1060558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: A Whitethroat. 2 of the retraps were ringed at SSNR in 2011 whilst the other 3 were ringed last year (all as adults). L302789, ringed on 22/04/11 set a new longevity record for the site at 2 years and 14 days.<br />
<br />
Chaffinches were, surprisingly, the most numerous species. I normally catch a couple per session but I think a small change in feeder & net set up may have proved to be useful. A new longevity record for the site was set by L302734 - 2 years and 62 days. Also, a bird ringed in a field at nearby Beadlow earlier this year was retrapped at SSNR. More pictures & info of this ringing session can be found <a href="http://greenwoodringer.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />In terms of breeding evidence at both sites, the resident species (Dunnock, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Great Spotted Woodpeckers), in general, seem to be ahead of the migrant species. More residents are showing respective male/female apendages/brood patches whereas there is little or no evidence yet of this in the migrant species.<br />
<br />
Lets hope 2013 is a good breeding year.BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-77068105369224968022013-04-14T17:42:00.002+01:002013-04-14T17:43:11.211+01:00A slow and windy April<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With a lot of wind ringing has not often been possible and when I have been out, totals have been low. However, I did manage to add Redwing to the Sandy Smith Nature Reserve list of species ringed. There was also a controlled Long Tailed Tit (March) and yesterday, this:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfb3EwvvaPTrTrUeB6vA7NaYx0tn_38kcg7oy4IIDkBkIP_IQQEvDaGEPMHOEwIAa2uMMtWrRyqgKNnXUa0X4LH3uc314OV_-j020qZyhDk86HNgrwQj6SP_vaIdnPj5o-RfgWYvmH-al/s1600/P1060324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfb3EwvvaPTrTrUeB6vA7NaYx0tn_38kcg7oy4IIDkBkIP_IQQEvDaGEPMHOEwIAa2uMMtWrRyqgKNnXUa0X4LH3uc314OV_-j020qZyhDk86HNgrwQj6SP_vaIdnPj5o-RfgWYvmH-al/s320/P1060324.JPG" width="172" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: An adult male Green Woodpecker.<br />
<br />
The Siskin, Redpoll and Brambling invasion that has been reported by many other ringers and from garden feeding stations has completely passed me by in the last month or so. <br />
<br />
Effort at Priory Country Park has yet to really begin. A pre CES session was cancelled today due to the wind and I'm going to be away in Sardinia unitl the CES season starts again. I hope the wind dies down by then!BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-10624689473451146182013-03-16T15:25:00.001+00:002013-03-16T15:25:53.865+00:00A few recovery reports...This week, the Ivel Ringing Group received a number of recovery reports from BTO. Here is a selection:<br />
<br />
Cetti's Warbler ringed 26/08/12 at Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire. Controlled at Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire on 11/11/12. Movement of 63 km, WSW in 77 days.<br />
<br />
Mute Swan ringed 03/10/12 at Brandon Creek, Norfolk. Controlled at St. Neots, Cambridgeshire on 15/10/12. Movement of 54 km, SW in 12 days.<br />
<br />
Lesser Redpoll ringed on 13/10/12 near Bestwood, Nottinghamshire. Controlled at Priory Country Park, Bedford on 28/10/12. Movement of 113 km, SSE in 15 days.<br />
<br />
Swallow ringed 09/07/12 near Hawnby, North Yorks. Controlled at Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire on 22/09/12. Movement of 258 km, S in 75 days.<br />
<br />
Swallow ringed 13/07/12 near Hazleslack, Storth, Cumbria. Controlled at Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire on 03/09/12. Movement of 283 km SSE in 52 days.<br />
<br />
Sand Martin ringed at Icklesham, East Sussex on 19/08/12. Controlled at Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire on 31/08/12. Movement of 154 km, NNW in 12 days. (This one is interesting - has it moved in the opposite direction to what would be expected? Perhaps it was prospecting for potential breeding sites for 2013!)<br />
<br />
Goldfinch ringed at Links Wood, Newport, Fife on 10/08/12. Controlled at Eversholt, Bedfordshire on 15/11/12. Movement of 515 km, SSE in 97 days.BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-66560654762386169392013-02-17T16:23:00.000+00:002013-04-14T17:44:01.625+01:00Chalton STW 17 February 2013The first real session here of the year produced 21 birds of 8 species.<br />
Ringed with retraps in brackets are as follows:<br />
<br />
Blackbird 1(1), Dunnock 1(0), Great Tit 2(0), Kingfisher 1(0), Long-tailed Tit 8(1), Pied Wagtail 1(0), Reed Bunting 4(0), Wren 1(0).<br />
<br />
Also on site was 11 cormorant first thing and 2 little Egret.<br />
<br />
The beginning of the year has seen work started on the removal of typha and willow from the pond area. Hopefully, this will be a large improvement when complete.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-33480615052312597312013-02-10T16:48:00.000+00:002013-02-10T16:49:50.563+00:00Clearing the news backlog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There's a backlog of news that's built up since our last post to the IRG blog so I'll start with the most recent, and work my way backwards!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A ringing session yesterday at a field near Sandy Smith Nature Reserve. Totals: 70 birds of 11 species comprising of 66 new and 4 retraps (retraps in brackets below):</div>
<br />
<br />
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 (0)<br />
Dunnock 6 (0)<br />
Robin 1 (0)<br />
Blackbird 1 (0)<br />
Blue Tit 6 (1) - retrap ringed at SSNR 15/07/12, 209 days ago<br />
Great Tit 1 (0)<br />
Chaffinch 4 (1) - retrap ringed at SSNR 24/11/12, 77 days ago<br />
Goldfinch 1 (0)<br />
Lesser Redpoll 1 (0)<br />
Reed Bunting 41 (2) - both retraps ringed at SSNR 11/03/12, 335 days ago<br />
Yellowhammer 3 (0)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyO1p5VY-kPMtUF9tCiFTWv3MJzqf4uQhXT9clSlohbrUIy2TL33zTV_kloFcmzwkr6XUSwrc19D245_Ux9QctS0P4x9XSWd92ZvkLzRv13myQzkqkYNXf0ojvvl5AINwB6GA0vBuiKRn/s1600/P1060203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" jea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyO1p5VY-kPMtUF9tCiFTWv3MJzqf4uQhXT9clSlohbrUIy2TL33zTV_kloFcmzwkr6XUSwrc19D245_Ux9QctS0P4x9XSWd92ZvkLzRv13myQzkqkYNXf0ojvvl5AINwB6GA0vBuiKRn/s320/P1060203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Above: Yellowhammer</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For more photographs of this ringing session, see <a href="totals: 70 birds of 11 species comprising of 66 new and 4 retraps (retraps in brackets below):" target="_blank">here</a>. And no, it's not a typo, I did catch 43 Reed Buntings!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last weekend, the Priory Country Park volunteers kindly agreed to help out with managing the vegetation within the CES site. They did a marvelous job. Thank you to Jane & the volunteers for all their effort.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8piIcGuO_oaFo1v4CJniWusV25zsRTlyDyxgtmQ7wjagMkYScMA1XN4-AJ-IOcURUkPAOVSJNhSrcfxvHLVpeBWhlDYV_s0TRryHQ0fEao45FXgpzwVKYKKDIeQrTnNjJWYSrmYsxNnx0/s1600/P1060175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" jea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8piIcGuO_oaFo1v4CJniWusV25zsRTlyDyxgtmQ7wjagMkYScMA1XN4-AJ-IOcURUkPAOVSJNhSrcfxvHLVpeBWhlDYV_s0TRryHQ0fEao45FXgpzwVKYKKDIeQrTnNjJWYSrmYsxNnx0/s320/P1060175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Above: The net rides in the 'rough' have had their annual maintenance. It's looking good.</strong></div>
Looking back into January, the two main bits of news I have are that I ringed 13 Fieldfare (and retrapped one) outside my house. This was the first time I'd ringed them. I also caught a few Redwings and Blackbirds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoje0OicGJ4DpPRnXTIsCUqGWpnV8aaGczaVkjt4KuyUW2ZT9KIcZ9kIWMtaBYBpdY7ehkrjNFSdQJ1VcK5dci9DXZVVo01jhukBhJoifkVI0wV3omjNKCzffcn015rsEIlHs_WDcpBuC/s1600/P1060150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" jea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoje0OicGJ4DpPRnXTIsCUqGWpnV8aaGczaVkjt4KuyUW2ZT9KIcZ9kIWMtaBYBpdY7ehkrjNFSdQJ1VcK5dci9DXZVVo01jhukBhJoifkVI0wV3omjNKCzffcn015rsEIlHs_WDcpBuC/s320/P1060150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>Above: A fieldfare. </strong></div>
Ringing did take place at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve but with low totals, there wasn't much worthy of news. At Priory Country Park however, a controlled Courn Bunting may well be the first ever movement of a Corn Bunting in/out/within Bedfordshire. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9oXRUt8YLceKtCHvSiN8BPkkwSP34Lu8zP3RUocE78bqAWItssf7cB2ykvS3yIGE_-m5_S1THu5PJBYlLp_8rsGArgHzJpv8ZX-A6QCepco7doRDKBh5D65Ba8nnTNanrD12zBsxyfgB/s1600/P1060131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" jea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9oXRUt8YLceKtCHvSiN8BPkkwSP34Lu8zP3RUocE78bqAWItssf7cB2ykvS3yIGE_-m5_S1THu5PJBYlLp_8rsGArgHzJpv8ZX-A6QCepco7doRDKBh5D65Ba8nnTNanrD12zBsxyfgB/s320/P1060131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Above: A Corn Bunting</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Now for December - there was a second foreign controlled bird a week after my last post in December (when I told you about a foreign ringed Blackcap). I also made 1000 handlings at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve. And then there's the 2012 highlights which were as follows:<br />
<strong>Priory Country Park:</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Lesser Redpoll control (awaiting details)</li>
<li>Blackcap ringed in September 2011 controlled at Grafham Water Nature Reserve in May 2012</li>
<li>Blackcap ringed in September 2011 controlled at Portland Bill, Dorset in April 2012</li>
<li>2nd Kestrel for site ringed</li>
<li>2nd Jay for site ringed</li>
<li>All 12 CES visits were completed</li>
</ul>
2012 ringing totals and review for Priory Country Park can be found <a href="http://greenwoodringer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/my-bird-ringing-in-2012-priory-cp-review.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<strong>Sandy Smith Nature Reserve:</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Lesser Spotted Woodpecker ringed (one of 11 new species ringed here)</li>
<li>1000 birds handled for the year</li>
<li>Chiffchaff ringed in July caught at Letchworth in August</li>
<li>Strasbourg ringed Blackcap caught in December (awaiting details)</li>
<li>Brussels ringed Siskin caught in December (awaiting details)</li>
<li>Chaffinch controled at SSNR in February originally ringed at South Lopham, near Thetford in May 2010</li>
</ul>
2012 ringing totals and review for Sandy Smith Nature Reserve can be found <a href="http://greenwoodringer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/my-bird-ringing-in-2012-sandy-smith-nr.html" target="_blank">here</a>.BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-91998016348646790992012-12-03T22:35:00.001+00:002012-12-03T22:35:26.790+00:00A good start to December<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally, a weekend without rain and it proved to be worthwhile getting out of bed!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRruTY8PBBz6aL0KpKwQq3rkoqSVlTTjO8zWPisHzcW-0Amxi7vIExtQ7slPQvjx3rZ-pTWeIafUltASJZ0MnEh5gMeyj1p0FComIQawKZ3tWDpwnSC3Egy1jhtIGsqnN4f4vH-hsAzK2/s1600/P1050897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRruTY8PBBz6aL0KpKwQq3rkoqSVlTTjO8zWPisHzcW-0Amxi7vIExtQ7slPQvjx3rZ-pTWeIafUltASJZ0MnEh5gMeyj1p0FComIQawKZ3tWDpwnSC3Egy1jhtIGsqnN4f4vH-hsAzK2/s320/P1050897.JPG" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: A female Blackcap. In all, I caught 4 Blackcaps (3 at Priory including the female above) and a female at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve (SSNR) that had a Strasbourg ring on its leg! More about the session at SSNR can be found <a href="http://greenwoodringer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/are-winter-blackcaps-from-continent.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6J1EdZNQV2CCs0ZMJ2aUvTKD6lvaVBOasJKymGRJDn2k3qRUGuouHku24GkYCBhEtSvT1h7F_upxLW2cgWpUU3OIa9txfCnNKeTSj5RoQEDWlzOX_z5f5Pbf2kKJ6EF52txw7PiLeA6yw/s1600/P1050894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6J1EdZNQV2CCs0ZMJ2aUvTKD6lvaVBOasJKymGRJDn2k3qRUGuouHku24GkYCBhEtSvT1h7F_upxLW2cgWpUU3OIa9txfCnNKeTSj5RoQEDWlzOX_z5f5Pbf2kKJ6EF52txw7PiLeA6yw/s320/P1050894.JPG" tea="true" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: An adult male Kestrel. Seen, unusually (perhaps because of floods and icy conditions), around the ringing area at Priory Country Park (PCP) all day. It got some bling & it then continued to spend the rest of the day in the area but keeping a respectful distance this time! Only the second to be ringed at this site (the other in 2003). More about this session can be found <a href="http://greenwoodringer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/another-day-more-birds.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
More Lesser Redpolls were ringed at SSNR & PCP. 2 Song Thrushes were rare for SSNR and A good number of new Blackbirds were ringed at both sites.<br />
<br />
Finally, a Chiffchaff ringed at SSNR on 15/07/12 was controlled in Letchworth on 27/08/12 - 43 days later. A movement of 11km in an ESE direction.BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-91356637484879715132012-11-10T22:55:00.000+00:002012-11-10T22:55:43.409+00:00No corny jokes please!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A roost catch produced 29 birds this evening and included this beauty (a female on size):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lK8Q7sDgqkTBFXtDX6cajDYzUieKKZT3SL-YYrTnzxuaK1uC7mrmiIJQaz4nuZVhIkXJ6VoGCWBbEqZpocyOu_Xcsnh94WaIh-iW7wfQ-pbYS49EyBXuzOAgLRM4Mg4l7G0Yq_SKPcgG/s1600/P1050841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lK8Q7sDgqkTBFXtDX6cajDYzUieKKZT3SL-YYrTnzxuaK1uC7mrmiIJQaz4nuZVhIkXJ6VoGCWBbEqZpocyOu_Xcsnh94WaIh-iW7wfQ-pbYS49EyBXuzOAgLRM4Mg4l7G0Yq_SKPcgG/s320/P1050841.JPG" width="193" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above & Below: A Corn Bunting.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTJuYFAMBQ17Q6SXMt4MecV6XJdygz5uERfBFVn9t9wLEAnffEIT-pqjd3PAaONOChO4ksxLitTJkgDBxlekLA3qhYRJjY0RE2GcC5DZ3dusyelQ7ZuAvn6I4OmWPXmp59KYSHuF3Xc7G/s1600/P1050843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTJuYFAMBQ17Q6SXMt4MecV6XJdygz5uERfBFVn9t9wLEAnffEIT-pqjd3PAaONOChO4ksxLitTJkgDBxlekLA3qhYRJjY0RE2GcC5DZ3dusyelQ7ZuAvn6I4OmWPXmp59KYSHuF3Xc7G/s320/P1050843.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Only one was caught (catching this species is notorioiusly difficult) but I learnt several things from this experiment (the net rides were not new but I'd not used them at dusk before). Thanks go to Mike for helping out on short notice.<br />
<br />
<br />
This species is depicted on the Ivel Ringing Group logo so it's about time we started catching them again.BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-13175106986220205692012-11-04T16:49:00.000+00:002012-11-04T16:50:32.408+00:00Recent Highlights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The weather is still interfering with operations and as the rain stopped play today, I've taken the chance to update my records and go through photographs.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJh6mh642howmfU6hZuiDJ8lC6mwycErkZLZdcdzpBweqHrmSX45N8Wj2QrgvtciktPVqrhen-WVURE2_AeS-JKwtWGc1Y0ovnePTVntsgBk9ULa01kmAyJzuxFAlA190uKW4r-921-_qH/s1600/P1050648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJh6mh642howmfU6hZuiDJ8lC6mwycErkZLZdcdzpBweqHrmSX45N8Wj2QrgvtciktPVqrhen-WVURE2_AeS-JKwtWGc1Y0ovnePTVntsgBk9ULa01kmAyJzuxFAlA190uKW4r-921-_qH/s320/P1050648.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: A male Siskin, one of 3 caught this autumn at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve (SSNR). The rest of the flock (50 +) is proving as ellusive as always!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6oQqIl_APx4GyUOk88uHP2JYc0MOoqFMGmmBapETt-fKliXD4CCs061lScCSLOkshnSlmXBb8ExETzKysrGjW2urQEh58ZR9cehSCe6KcHw_23cAVCYWUotdQz-tjN4ihbqCcD8bxaBd/s1600/P1050704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6oQqIl_APx4GyUOk88uHP2JYc0MOoqFMGmmBapETt-fKliXD4CCs061lScCSLOkshnSlmXBb8ExETzKysrGjW2urQEh58ZR9cehSCe6KcHw_23cAVCYWUotdQz-tjN4ihbqCcD8bxaBd/s320/P1050704.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: A male Lesser Redpoll ringed at SSNR.</div>
<br />
This autumn, I have more than doubled the number Lesser Redpoll ringed at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve (11 previous + 19 new = 30) AND at Priory Country Park (10 previous + 18 new = 28). One of the Lesser Redpoll's caught at Priory already had a ring on it from elsewhere (I won't find out where for a while yet).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JQbxVPZte8ZljRoqY_0qQs_Q6kSdcSPWITxh2u2lbzS0uha7K2M_IEdOpg5uLBr90YHGLuxvHGhlHa4EkiWwUsInttQlWba-T53WoDzXOq_I8Yvj3Cb_NhhuGSNID132zEiFxhVppsK_/s1600/P1050537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JQbxVPZte8ZljRoqY_0qQs_Q6kSdcSPWITxh2u2lbzS0uha7K2M_IEdOpg5uLBr90YHGLuxvHGhlHa4EkiWwUsInttQlWba-T53WoDzXOq_I8Yvj3Cb_NhhuGSNID132zEiFxhVppsK_/s320/P1050537.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Above: A Goldcrest, a new species for the ringing list at SSNR. Why this species hasn't been ringed here before is a puzzle. Perhaps it's just down to luck.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0IqnKBUhjey1V9fLPZe31t8u2RrGqS-kf0LPyn6m6s-HnUUCCLK_BBqWw5HxyX3355UEc7ggXJ6ezhruLqJQ7bFSayVzCNoEY4IMDU-hRh-ZWWDNwMOeesbw8Z1TZb6epFuhu9XMiSWQ/s1600/P1050724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0IqnKBUhjey1V9fLPZe31t8u2RrGqS-kf0LPyn6m6s-HnUUCCLK_BBqWw5HxyX3355UEc7ggXJ6ezhruLqJQ7bFSayVzCNoEY4IMDU-hRh-ZWWDNwMOeesbw8Z1TZb6epFuhu9XMiSWQ/s320/P1050724.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Above: An October sunset at SSNR from where I park my ringing station!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So far this year (last year in brackets), of 896 (1411) handlings at Priory Country Park, 711 (1016) have been new for the year and of those 585 (868) have been new birds. Effort this year so far = 30 sessions (26 last year).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So far this year (last year in brackets), of 710 (999) handlings at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve, 462 (738) have been new for year and of those 386 (693) have been new birds. Effort this year so far = 32 sessions (36 last year).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm not going to worry last years totals, but there's still a good few weekends left between now and the new year (though having my bird feeders at Priory stolen isn't going to help the birds or my totals).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-414358050958258172012-10-07T23:37:00.004+01:002012-10-07T23:37:48.268+01:00JIt seems as though priorities have been elsewhere for us IRG bloggers in the latter half of the summer and moving into the Autumn. I have time to briefly redress that situation:<br />
<br />CES sessions at Priory Country Park were conducted, ALL 12 of them + 3 extra! Bad weather, what bad weather? Joking aside, it's not been easy to fit them in and because of the weather, we've been successful in not catching lots of birds. Overall one of the worst in 20 years but not a complete disaster.<br />
<br />
Priory Country Park produced a very late Reed Warbler yesterday and a Jay (only the second to be ringed here). Last week it produced a Woodpigeon and a retrap Green Woodpecker (first ringed in 2011).<br />
<br />
Ringing at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve in Septmeber added Goldcrest (2) to the ringed list for the site. 44 species have now been ringed there.<br />
<br />
Those are my highlights. Hopefully, the winter will continue to bring more!BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-81088020393532494982012-07-22T20:12:00.000+01:002012-07-22T20:12:35.894+01:00Juvenile productionOccupying the thoughts of many a ringer is how is the breeding season going. Not well is the simple answer but what is the evidence? <br />
<br />
With this in mind, I thought I'd compare juvenile numbers so far this year with the same time last year (breeding season up until 22nd July both years). This incorporates data collected from Priory Country Park & Sandy Smith Nature Reserve. Effort at Priory CP (11 visits both years) has been the same but effort at Sandy Smith NR has been less (4 compared to 8 last year) due to the weather. Neither site has been flooded (i.e. under water), just extremely damp at times!<br />
<br />
2012 juvenile totals are given first, 2011 juvenile totals in brackets:<br />
<br />
<strong>Blackbird 7 (2)</strong><br />
When I first saw this I was surprised. Now I've thought about it, I'd speculate that worms etc. are easier to find in the wet (they come to the surface). Food is therefore easier to find, resulting in better productivity. Surprise gone.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Blackcap 14 (27)</strong> <br />
About half the numbers. The local weather is surely affecting the availability of food and ability of the adults to keep eggs warm/feed youngsters as well as themselves.<br />
<br />
<strong>Blue Tit 24 (43)</strong><br />
Reports I've heard from nest recorders say many breeding attempts showed much reduced brood sizes or failures. Though I have ringed 24 juveniles so not a complete disaster. Those that did fledge seem to be finding food inbetween the deluges!<br />
<br />
<strong>Bullfinch 1 (1)</strong><br />
Perhaps a little early to tell. 2 very different seasons weather wise and totals come out the same. Mmmm?<br />
<br />
<strong>Chaffinch 2 (12)</strong><br />
Adults and youngsters alike are hard to come by. Mainly caught at feeders at Sandy Smith NR. Weather must be having an affect.<br />
<br />
<strong>Chiff Chaff 12 (15)</strong><br />
A small reduction. A small change such as this is too small to draw any conclusions from as small changes in weather, food availability etc on any given day can change what we catch. <br />
<br />
<strong>Dunnock 10 (29)</strong><br />
Significantly down on last year. Again, the weather must be having an affect.<br />
<br />
<strong>Garden Warbler 2 (5)</strong><br />
Again, a small reduction but I've caught fewer adults this year (13) compared to last year (22). Productivity could be down because there are fewer adults around to breed and/or the weather.<br />
<br />
<strong>Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 (1)</strong><br />
No change.<br />
<br />
<strong>Great Tit 36 (47)</strong><br />
A decline here also, but fairing better than Blue Tits. Great Tits share a very similar breeding season with Blue Tits but have faired a little bit better.<br />
<br />
<strong>Long Tailed Tit 2 (10)</strong><br />
I just don't seem to be catching many Long Tailed Tits at all.<br />
<br />
<strong>Reed Warbler 5 (9)</strong><br />
As relatively late breeders, the picture is not entirely clear however there ought to be more juveniles about by now if they were having a good year. Effort this year has included a session by the reedbeds at Priory CP (where as last year didn't), proving that the decline is significant. Brood patches on adult females trapped are showing they are still breeding and/or beginning to stop.<br />
<br />
<strong>Robin 13 (25)</strong><br />
Robins have had several good years in a row at Priory Country Park. Indications are that this is a significant decline & it's easy to blame the affects of weather on food availablity.<br />
<br />
<strong>Sedge Warbler 3 (4)</strong><br />
Similar to last year. All caught at Sandy Smith NR, effort here has been less in 2012 due to the weather.<br />
<br />
<strong>Song Thrush 3 (1)</strong><br />
An increase, but is it significant?<br />
<br />
<strong>Treecreeper 3 (0)</strong><br />
Another species showing better in 2012. They are present in small numbers at Priory CP, and 3 juveniles caught within 1 week represents good value for the breeding season.<br />
<br />
<strong>Whitethroat 4 (77)</strong> <br />
A massive decline in 2012. 2011 was a significantly good season for Whitethroat - as an example a visit on 2nd July 2011 to Sandy Smith NR, 37 juveniles were caught in one session. So far, this year, only 4 juveniles were caught there and the adults are now moulting & have more than likely given up breeding.<br />
<br />
<strong>Wren 12 (10)</strong><br />
A slight improvement in 2012. No evidence here that the weather has caused them any difficulties.<br />
<br />
This time last year I had also caught juveniles of Coal Tit (1), Goldfinch (4), Grasshopper Warbler (1), Greenfinch (1), Marsh Tit (1) and Willow Warbler (1). The increased diversity of species caught supports the theory that last year was a much better breeding year.<br />
<br />
To put this in a bit of context:<br />
<br />
a) This is not official scientific fact and is just my own speculation based on ringing data & totals that I have collected (with some help from other ringers).<br />
b) The effect of weather on breeding can be highly localised (it could be raining at Priory CP but dry at Sandy Smith NR for example!). This data may or may not reflect national trends in juvenile productivity.<br />
c) I am not making any comparison between the sites. Habitats are different for a start!<br />
d) The breeding season is not yet over. August (traditionally when we catch the most juveniles) will really show how well the breeding season has gone. If the weather turns good, it could still turn out well for the birds.... well, we can hope!BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-81482480614178474142012-07-01T22:38:00.002+01:002012-07-01T22:38:36.071+01:00Avoiding bad weather<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The weather has been dominating proceedings recently. Wet and/or windy has been the theme of the weekends (mostly) whilst midweek (while I've been at work), the conditions have been more conducive to ringing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This last weekend, a lot of time was spent twiddling thumbs and worrying about next weekends weather, so when an opportunity came up to take the day off today (with the wind and rain on a short holiday from Bedfordshire) I jumped at the chance.</div>
<br />
A session at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve on Tuesday 26th produced 29 bird - 24 new and 5 retraps. In order of appearance & retraps in brackets they were as follows:<br />
<br />
Sedge Warbler 4 (1) - 3 of the new birds were juveniles not long fledged (1J's)<br />
Chaffinch 2 (0) - one of which was a juvenile<br />
Whitethroat 3 (2) - one of the new bird was a juvenile<br />
Great Tit 7 (0) - 4 of these were juveniles<br />
Blackcap 4 (0) - 3 adult males and one adult female<br />
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 (1) - one new juvenile and one retrap male in heavy moult<br />
Starling 2 (0) - two adults, the second of which was in heavy moult<br />
Blue Tit 1 (0) - a juvenile<br />
Dunnock 0 (1) - a retrap female with a good brood patch.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFr26c1G9wGbRHjSt5F0yhT_O1vQTgbM3CCH9TN8oePYtlls5Nq-pLmLyIMKleD1kA9P_uG8Iyq3L9KmI4vOz7C3TRIpUwp0quntT5SKHN35zjxt5znqa2g_o_1qHDJrPbhOy6bQyfxEA/s1600/P1050453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFr26c1G9wGbRHjSt5F0yhT_O1vQTgbM3CCH9TN8oePYtlls5Nq-pLmLyIMKleD1kA9P_uG8Iyq3L9KmI4vOz7C3TRIpUwp0quntT5SKHN35zjxt5znqa2g_o_1qHDJrPbhOy6bQyfxEA/s320/P1050453.JPG" vca="true" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: A juvenile (1J) Sedge Warbler<br />
<br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBUTKaKlRfDUnevd7HZTpKmQyEI55sXZYi5uD8DCMApBEYjpztEBkD4BDjlCzsKLrDo8E3mYXmtdmPtxR3yOw29nx4gjnSvee06nxMAxfqCWROU9qcX_pdw2WZa8r-YKpaTJz8E_mdk9l/s1600/P1050452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBUTKaKlRfDUnevd7HZTpKmQyEI55sXZYi5uD8DCMApBEYjpztEBkD4BDjlCzsKLrDo8E3mYXmtdmPtxR3yOw29nx4gjnSvee06nxMAxfqCWROU9qcX_pdw2WZa8r-YKpaTJz8E_mdk9l/s320/P1050452.JPG" vca="true" width="248" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Above: A juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99CO0sIQllVVtQw5w6RfxkXxPYMtHSBr3DI_nkjEWV_QdP5CkHlsrUA0MPUuhCX-YEw-3Qp4mQu8Rf9yS2mlQlxixnAdjuBT_dtSJ8-_JO9zWSG4VDImaMIkPFtx9Vd-6ao472yhCkxiL/s1600/P1050458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99CO0sIQllVVtQw5w6RfxkXxPYMtHSBr3DI_nkjEWV_QdP5CkHlsrUA0MPUuhCX-YEw-3Qp4mQu8Rf9yS2mlQlxixnAdjuBT_dtSJ8-_JO9zWSG4VDImaMIkPFtx9Vd-6ao472yhCkxiL/s320/P1050458.JPG" vca="true" width="286" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Above: David with a ringing tick - an adult Starling. This was one of two caught today - these being only the second and third ringed at the site.</div>BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-48349498033959773342012-06-17T21:35:00.001+01:002012-06-17T21:35:54.610+01:00CES Visit 5 - Priory Country Park<br />
Todays bird ringing session - CES visit 5 at Priory Country Park - was dominated by juvenile birds.<br />
<br />
41 birds of 13 species, 32 new & 9 retraps (retraps in brackets).<br />
<br />
Chiffchaff 4 (2) - 5 of these were juveniles<br />
Great Tit 4 (0) - all 4 juveniles<br />
Wren 1 (1)<br />
Blue Tit 7 (0) - all 7 juveniles<br />
Long Tailed Tit 1 (0) - a juvenile<br />
Bullfinch 1 (0) - a juvenile<br />
Dunnock 1 (2) - of these 2 were juveniles (the other being a retrap adult)<br />
Blackbird 4 (0) - 4 new juveniles<br />
Robin 2 (1) - including 1 new juvenile<br />
Blackcap 4 (2) - including 1 new juvenile<br />
Greenfinch 1 (0)<br />
Chaffinch 1 (0)<br />
Song Thrush 1 (0) - a juvenile<br />
<br />
That's a total of 27 juveniles. Here are some of the cast:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOEjHKx3vNoPN9_yYselzLuTNwEXxQNsxQpK2u5zKiQ4IRKxN51OsClpbGOHXBa3hgk8k51NoE342cAb8hC0QmWXFMJUlH9u9sOB-ol2XtBCQAE7NZG7UbY3f90ucfKoTVuXQX7311IV7/s1600/P1050440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOEjHKx3vNoPN9_yYselzLuTNwEXxQNsxQpK2u5zKiQ4IRKxN51OsClpbGOHXBa3hgk8k51NoE342cAb8hC0QmWXFMJUlH9u9sOB-ol2XtBCQAE7NZG7UbY3f90ucfKoTVuXQX7311IV7/s320/P1050440.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Above:</strong> A juvenile Blackbird on the left and an adult female on the right for comparison.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkZqbusAoai8OhBIn0M3VM_n2uQmOqBJrLcl7JejfmaJqe0uiftwoIKVRT84uaqzDKAdchlVKBitZ48JD6TOdbPaqfn9OzK6LMJPNdlZrLK37urV5v9JqyMhNw-z3yEEsJUTysuC6P20W/s1600/P1050444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkZqbusAoai8OhBIn0M3VM_n2uQmOqBJrLcl7JejfmaJqe0uiftwoIKVRT84uaqzDKAdchlVKBitZ48JD6TOdbPaqfn9OzK6LMJPNdlZrLK37urV5v9JqyMhNw-z3yEEsJUTysuC6P20W/s320/P1050444.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Above:</strong> A juvenile Song Thrush - note all the thorn shaped markings on the wing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="240" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVzumA0voBgSGcMS_yf_Ff14SW2qBCDmn2ax-4EvVgBol-dU-lOM6oqcjlvM-s4IbZdrI8JucgyrvSv6SdvFnfGgpv2pSVXkunHvjFkP_Ew3licuYIRSMDijGKr0xhn6zaLGYWeD1ENtf/s320/P1050446.JPG" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>Above:</strong> A juvenile Chiffchaff.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53wD1iiUaOgBx0_YsNtcFkdTGCooYZHN7KAO0BIodCuuOi9szouHhNzlsvF_OE1B948wzsSnNIYCe5gkdk9B6RJVZYmCeNrTk-17atT43Mw3Ro6FNR1APuApTItPY1Ggcy5Y90ZHXA8eY/s1600/P1050435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53wD1iiUaOgBx0_YsNtcFkdTGCooYZHN7KAO0BIodCuuOi9szouHhNzlsvF_OE1B948wzsSnNIYCe5gkdk9B6RJVZYmCeNrTk-17atT43Mw3Ro6FNR1APuApTItPY1Ggcy5Y90ZHXA8eY/s320/P1050435.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<strong>Above: </strong>A juvenile Robin (left) and adult Robin (right) for comparison. It will be a while yet before the baby Robin gets its own red breast - it has to replace and grow more feathers before that happens.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMGXxss7ve3wbolOFk4LDTuYLOE_g6HUAin56s3KglBby4Gce-PUsYlhUj_9v5gtrc4AP-WKrRvO1BSDzR4dOCgKJS-_k9_KZBOLjIBDJi4KfdoQtyQMR9RvrbBNDtd06Wtz7EzYWN1Dr/s1600/P1050437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMGXxss7ve3wbolOFk4LDTuYLOE_g6HUAin56s3KglBby4Gce-PUsYlhUj_9v5gtrc4AP-WKrRvO1BSDzR4dOCgKJS-_k9_KZBOLjIBDJi4KfdoQtyQMR9RvrbBNDtd06Wtz7EzYWN1Dr/s320/P1050437.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>Above:</strong> A juvenile Bullfinch</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last weekend, we made a visit to 'the crescent' where we caught 20 different adult Reed Warblers moving between the reed bed and surrounding vegetation. Of the other 10 birds we caught, of only note was our first juvenile Blackcap of the year at this site.</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now to hope the wind dies down a bit so I can make the most of my weekend ringing activities.</div>BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1831981904914101242.post-50424533984376970632012-06-17T15:49:00.002+01:002012-06-17T15:49:31.137+01:00Late news of CES 3 & 4<strong>CES 3 - Priory Country Park (27/05/12) - Total 17 = 6 new, 11 retraps</strong><br />
Dunnock 0 (4) <br />
Blackcap 0 (1)<br />
Reed Warbler 2 (0)<br />
House Sparrow 1 (0) - the first one ringed in the Rough since Oct 2008<br />
Robin 2 (1) - including 2 juveniles (not the first of the year)<br />
Blue Tit 0 (1)<br />
Garden Warbler 1 (0)<br />
Whitethroat 0 (2) - including a retrap from 2007<br />
Wren 0 (2)<br />
<br />
Last year CES 3 at Priory CP (22/05/12) we had a total of 26 birds. Included in this catch were juvenile Blue Tits and Dunnocks. The bad weather seems to have made the juveniles fledge later this year.<br />
<br />
<strong>CES 3 - The Thorns - Total 26 = 14 new, 12 retraps</strong><br />
<br />
Jay 1 (0) an adult female with brood patch<br />
<br />
Long-tailed Tit 1 (2)<br />
Wren 1 (1)<br />
Great Tit 2 (1) - two new youngsters<br />
Garden Warbler 2 (1) looking like a good season for these<br />
Blackcap 5 (2) … and these<br />
Chaffinch 1 (0)<br />
Blue Tit 1 (0)<br />
Chiffchaff 0 (1)<br />
Whitethroat 0 (1)<br />
Dunnock 0 (2)<br />
Robin 0 (1) <br />
<br />
<strong>CES 4 - Priory Country Park (05/06/12) - Total 19 = 11 new, 8 retraps</strong> <br />
Blackcap 1 (2)<br />
Chiffchaff 4 (2) - including 3 juveniles (first of this species this year)<br />
Robin 2 (0)<br />
Chaffinch 0 (2)<br />
Dunnock 2 (0) - First juveniles of this species this year<br />
Wren - 1 (1)<br />
Whitethroat - 0 (1)<br />
Blue Tit - 1 (0) - First juvenile of this species this year<br />
<br />
Last year CES 4 at Priory CP (05/06/12) we had a total of 47 birds. Included in this catch were juvenile Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Great Tits, Long Tailed Tits, Chaffinch and Coal Tit. Further evidence to support that the juveniles are fledging later this year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>CES 4 - The Thorns - Total 30 = new, retraps</strong><br />
<br />
Kestrel 1 (0)<br />
Dunnock 1 (2)<br />
Robin 1 (0)<br />
Blackbird 0 (1)<br />
Lesser Whitethroat 2 (0)<br />
Whitethroat 0 (2)<br />
Garden Warbler 0 (1)<br />
Blackcap 3 (1)<br />
Chiffchaff 0 (1)<br />
Long-tailed Tit 4 (1)<br />
Great tit 1 (0)<br />
Treecreeper 0 (1)<br />
Chaffinch 3 (0)<br />
Bullfinch 4 (0)<br />
<br />
Thanks to Guy & Chris for the totals from The Thorns.BTCV Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17904141114233855080noreply@blogger.com0