Owl fest

Last night we tried again to catch some Owls. We were very successful with 5 Owls caught during the night. 2 Long-eared Owls and 3 Tengmalm's Owl were ringed and more large owls were seen in the garden (Probably Long-eared). We closed the nets at 2 am as passerines were falling out of the gloomy night sky and I thought today's ringing would be much busier than in fact it was. With just 7 nets set today we managed 86 new birds.

Wren 10, Dunnock 1, Robin 18, Blackbird 1, Song Thrush 1, Redwing 3, Blackcap 1, Chiffchaff 5, Goldcrest 39, Blue tit 1, Great tit 1, Tree Sparrow 2, Chaffinch 1, Goldfinch 1 and Reed Bunting 1.

Long-eared Owl - Asio otus (Male left, female right)

Tengmalm's Owl - Aegolius funereus

I think today's ringing totals may have been affected by visitors wandering around the nets in the garden. I must urge the rules here at Gedser that visitors are more than welcome here but please follow the guidelines regarding where to walk. It is fine to walk through the garden along the access track but PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE NETTING AREAS.

Some good birds were seen today, Hawfinches, Yellowhammers, Bullfinches, Reed Buntings and Crossbills all in good numbers also a few Rough-legged Buzzards and Red Kites moved through. A Red-breasted Flycatcher was heard in the garden today also.

Photos and Blog: Craig Brookes