23-09-2013

With winds continuing in the west it was again a quieter day for birds in the nets and going over the garden.

49 Birds were Ringed today during the standardised session:

Sparrowhawk 1
Dunnock 2
Robin 34
Song Thrush 2
Marsh Warbler 1
Blackcap 2
Chiffchaff 7
Tree Sparrow 1

Louis reported an influx of Linnets from the tip as well as a small immature male Peregrine with a somewhat unusual jizz which we independently watched from over the garden.

Also from the garden we noticed an increase in Greenfinch, Brambling and Redpoll and Reed Bunting's passing over and out to sea.

Hugh Watching Migration over the Observatory, photo Jack Ashton-Booth

 A Red-breasted Flycatcher was calling from the garden and was occasionally seen between rain showers.

Work continued on thinning some of the very choked net rides to increase their catching potential.Work is slow as the vegetation is so dense but we are getting somewhere slowly but surely and hopefully see the rewards once the net is erected again.

1 of the 7 Chiffchaffs being processed in the ringing lab.