INTRODUCTION

This is foreseen to be an occasional blog relating to bird ringing at Abbotsbury Swannery. The site has operated as a BTO Constant Effort Site since 1995 and has taken part in the BTO Swallow Roost Project. In recent years we have concentrated in the autumn with both Yellow and Pied/White Wagtails. In 2009 we joined the Woodcock Network.

Thursday, 1 September 2011

Turning Yellow

A late decision to go down for a roost on Wednesday proved very successful. Despite the calm conditions there were hardly any hirundines in the sky over the Swannery -max count of 11 all evening and they all flew off east into the breeze. Yellow Wagtails though were streaming into the pre roost continuously for about an hour. Just one Pied Wagtail dared to get amongst them but it also flew off east as the numbers of Yellow Wags increased. In all 35 Yellow Wags were trapped and ringed including some fine males. Other species trapped were a few Reed and Sedge Warblers. The roost was in the region of 150 birds but more were dropping in as it got dark.








Another chance hopefully this evening if the wind doesn't pick up - and the Sparrowhawk stays away!

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