Despite the weather we've been out and about in the study area re-sighting birds. In the paddocks near the weir (the very east of the study site) we caught up with CH and a colour ringed male but we could not read his ring combination. He is likely to be AS, who was ringed and seen there in the past. CH was ringed in January of this year at the allotment feeding station, making her a long distance mover in terms of this project!The metal ringed only male was seen again. However, he seems to have lost his tail since the last time we saw him. Perhaps he has had a narrow escape from a sparrowhawk, cat or been in a brawl? Or perhaps its an entirely different bird?!
A ringing session in the paddocks failed to catch the metal ringed male. Although we were unsuccessful on that front we did manage to add two new birds to the project, bringing our total of colour ringed birds to 45 (project total 47). We also managed to catch a Mistle Thrush, only the second one we've caught, and two chiffchaffs which is a sure sign that spring has finally arrived.
 |
Above: The projects latest recruits; HB and CD. Sadly we didn't catch the
metal ringed male. Below: Chiffchaffs, and their close relative the Willow
Warbler, are migrating through the study site at the moment. Some
individuals will breed there too.
|
Casual re-sightings of birds along the main avenue has also revealed another sign of spring when C3, an adult female, was seen adding to an already full beak of worms. She was seen flying off over a hedge into the Pontcanna Permanent Allotments where she is obviously feeding a hungry brood; a timely reminder that spring has sprung and that we should start nest recording pretty sharpish!
No comments:
Post a Comment