Despite some foul weather this February we did manage to get out for 20 full sessions, but also there were several aborted sessions. The overall resulting figures were similar but there were a lot of differences in the make up of the figures:
Given how close the overall numbers are, we actually ringed 50 more birds this February and recaptured 43 fewer. Also, although the total number of species were very similar, with just one more species recaptured than last year, the total number of species processed in the two periods was 38. Andy and I both tried out new sites: although our first catches weren’t huge, both look promising for the future.
Added to the list this year were: Bullfinch, House Sparrow, Kingfisher, Pied Wagtail, Snipe and Treecreeper. Missing from the list were Cetti’s Warbler, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Sparrowhawk and Stonechat.
There were plenty of ups and downs in the numbers of the species caught in both years. Although the Blue and Great Tit numbers overall were quite similar we actually ringed far more of both species than we did last year. With Blue Tits, as I noted in one of my recent posts, plenty of ringers have been bemoaning the lack of juvenile / second calendar year (2CY) birds this winter, but the West Wilts Group does seem to have bucked the trend, in February at least: 39 adults and 139 2CY Blue Tits ringed: 23% adults vs 77% 2CY.
Not surprising that we didn’t catch any Meadow Pipits: 21 of last year’s 22 were caught in a single session at Blakehill Farm. That was also where we caught the two Stonechat. Unfortunately, it has just been far too windy for me to run sessions there. The Skylark was caught at East Hill Farm but, similarly, no session there this February. Not worried about the lack of Jays: after three in January.
There were a couple of highlights: Jonny caught his first Snipe at any of his sites.
It isn’t the first Snipe he has ever ringed, but his only other was six years ago at Blakehill Farm. I must have another go for them at Blakehill in the next couple of weeks.
My highlight was the second Pied Wagtail for my garden:
I know I have done loads as a trainee, but in your own garden it is rather special. A shame the one in Laura’s garden yesterday managed to avoid the net.
Hopefully the weather will improve for March! I, for one, am sick of constantly tramping through mud and my equipment being constantly filthy.
Ringing In The Braydon Forest & Beyond 