Mr Grey

Today there was no standardised ringing due to really wet conditions at dawn and for most of the morning. At around 11 o'clock we managed to open a few nets before the wind picked up too much. We ringed 49 birds in total today, Goldcrest 20, Blue tit 9, Great tit 6, Robin 4, Chiffchaff 3, Song Thrush 2, Dunnock 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Reed Bunting 1 and bird of the day Great Grey Shrike. Below is a picture today's Great Grey Shrike (Stor Tornskade)

Great Grey Shrike - Lanius excubitor

Purple Sandpiper - Calidris maritima

Other interesting observations today include 3 Tree Pipit (Late), 3 Bullfinch, 3 Grey Wagtails, 17 Red Kites, White-tailed Eagle and a Purple Sandpiper.

Photos: Heather McGinty (Great Grey Shrike) & Jon Friis (Purple Sandpiper)

Blog, Craig Brookes

Emptiness

This morning (1st November) it was clear that overnight many birds had left Gedser and therefore Scandanavia for warmer climes. Whilst setting the nets only the resident Robin and a few Blue Tits were heard.

Throughout the I only managed to catch 12 new birds in 11 hours (Dawn until dusk). These were, 4 Robins, 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit and 1 Great Grey Shrike. A few recaptures were represented by a Robin, a Blackbird and some Goldcrests.

Lanius excubitor

"Only girls wear gloves."

The weather was great this afternoon and this lead to quite a good passage of raptors. At least 10 Common Buzzards "Braved it" to make the crossing as did a number of Rough-legged Buzzards and no fewer than 40 Sparrowhawks. Finches represented by 35+ Bullfinch, 200+ Chaffinch, 200+ Brambling, 800+ Siskin, 150+ Greenfinch, 50+ Redpoll and 20+ Goldfinches. Buntings represented by 2 Yellowhammer and a lone Reed Bunting.

I tried to catch Tengmalm's or Pygmy Owl in the evening/morning of the 2nd and failed. It at least seems there was some migration of passerines overnight though so the standardised ringing should be better.

Photo: Craig Brookes
Craig Brookes