A Redwing Day

Sunday, November 11th 2018

The nets were opened as the mist hung around the reserve.  I had hoped that it was the right kind of mist to highlight many webs, but only a few were on show.  This one was spun on the fence surrounding the heath.

Redwings were in abundance and it was not long before the first one arrived in the ringing room.  They migrate from Scandinavia as the winter closes in and the berry crop decreases.  Once they reach Foxglove they feed on our berry crop, particularly the Hawthorns.

Redwings are beautiful thrushes and this one looked rather majestic!

There were also Blackbirds and Blue Tits amongst the birds caught.  A Great Tit ringed in a nest box in Stone Cutters Wood, just outside Foxglove was retrapped.  Long-tailed Tits, Goldfinch, Goldcrest and Coal Tits all made an appearance in the ringing room.

Just after lunch the mist had cleared and there was blue sky, showing off the autumn colours around the lake where the Wigeon remained in evidence.

A check on the walls of the Field Centre revealed several moths, including Winter Moth, Mottled Umber and Angle Shades. The more we work with the moths to identify and photograph them, the more we have learnt which ones co-operate and sit still and which are likey to fly off.  Angle Shades nearly always begins to flutter its wings ready to fly off so trying to get an in focus photograph of its patterned wings is almost impossible.  I opted for a sideways shot!

Many thanks to everyone who helped today, despite some drizzle it was rewarding and fun.  

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