Mipits

The Swaledale Ringing group welcomed the Army Ornithological Society to their ringing activities.  They joined up with another NE Ringing Group today.  Nets were set up to catch and ring Meadow Pipits - Mipits.  These are delightful little birds.  They can be annoying though, as they sit on fences and walls and on the top of the nets looking at the nets, rather than flying into them!  The team need not have worried this morning as over 100 were caught and ringed.  This valuable data will be forwarded to the BTO as they continue to monitor this Amber listed bird.  These birds are heading south and feeding up on insects and seeds before starting their journey.  One characteristic is the very long hind claw, which can be seen in the photo below.

Amongst all the 'Mipits' two Yellow Wagtails, red listed birds, were ringed.  These summer visitors like damp marshes, meadows and farmland. They spend a lot of time running about on the ground chasing insects disturbed by the feet of livestock.