The forecast for this morning was for it to start cold and warm up, becoming bright and breezy as the morning wore on. They got it right for once, so my decision to go for one of the woodlands was the right one. Webb’s was next on the schedule, so that’s where we headed. This week has been difficult: my body has decided that muscle spasms in my back are to become the default status. After a visit to the doctor yesterday my choice is pain or doped up to the eyeballs on anti-inflammatories (naproxen), co-codomol, Diazepam and, to top it all off, oral morphine. For this morning (and so I could drive) I stuck to the naproxen and co-codomol. To be honest, I should have had the Diazepam as well, because I spent the morning fending off spasms and in pain.
I was joined for the morning by Adam and his dad, Mark. Laura has, unfortunately, also been laid low by painful problems. She did join us later in the morning: just to sit and chat and provide tea and cake! I met Mark and Adam at 7:00, only to realise that I had left some important stuff at home: my rucksack with my coffee and biscuits (okay, my boots and welly socks as well), so I had to shoot off home to pick them up. Fortunately, I only live 10 minutes away, so I managed to do the trip there and back in just 15 minutes (much to Mark’s incredulity). As the rest of the team was otherwise engaged today, we restricted ourselves to just four net rides on even terrain:
We had a very quiet session, with just a few birds caught. Fortunately we all enjoy a good natter, and we had plenty of opportunity. Whilst we were setting up ride 3, I found this on the ground:
Mole, Talpa europaea, found dead. Such a shame: you see them so rarely. I have seen a couple alive outside of their tunnel system, but also a couple dead. Hard to tell what the cause was: there was no obvious signs of injury.
The catch was small, but pleasant: Blue Tit 1; Marsh Tit 1; Wren 1; Blackbird 1; Blackcap 1; Chiffchaff 4; Goldcrest 2. Total: 11 juveniles ringed from 7 species.
We packed up at 11:30, after two empty rounds, and headed for home. To be fair, that size catch was probably all that I could manage today. Hopefully things will settle down soon. Hopefully this weather will settle down soon! I need some dry, wind free days so I can go Mipit hunting at Blakehill!
Ringing In The Braydon Forest & Beyond 