Bird Ringing

Monday, December 2nd 2013

Early morning at Foxglove saw the sun rising over the reed bed.

The low sun caught the tops of the trees behind the newly coppiced willow in the scrapes. 

The  nets were raised and we were hopeful of catching Redwing and possibly Fieldfare, however they all decided to leave the reserve and feed on the moor!  Some Blackbirds were caught and their measurements indicated that they may be winter migrants.

 

Long Tailed Tits have been seen in the tops of the trees around the reserve, but not many have found their way to the ringing room.  A small flock was seen on the feeders outside the kitchen early this morning.  The last net round returned several of these tiny birds who weigh in at around 8g.  Some of them were ringed but one retrapped Long Tailed Tit was four year old, an amazing age for such a tiny bird added to that the harshness of the last two winters.

When taking a photograph of a bird in the hand the welfare of the bird is paramount.  This 'Lotti' sat beautifully so that the whole bird could be photograph, illustrating its long tail - hence its name!

As another photograph was taken it turned its head and it is very difficult not to be anthropomorphic. Don't I look so cute?

Other birds caught included Marsh Tits, Robins and several Goldcrests.  Surprisingly after flocks of 50 or so Chaffinches were recorded in the back garden this week, only two were caught today. 

Many thanks go to everyone who made the day successful.

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