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.

Tuesday 6 November 2012

A touch of frost.....

Lovely frosty start today and the nets up just at the point of light.  Lots of Fieldfare and Redwing on the drive down to the gates. Crests calling and huge flocks of Woodpigeons moving west.  Despite the amazing migration in the skies above with Skylarks,Siskins, Redpolls, Chaffinchs and Bramblings all moving through the nets remained quiet.

However the gloom was lifted when 4 Lesser Redpoll were trapped out in the net in the reed bed. Delightful little birds. Other species trapped were Chiffchaff, Wren, Goldcrest, and Robin.








The previous two evenings had provided a couple of good sessions with plenty  of lingering Chiffchaffs trapped and a steady stream of Goldcrests. A Kingfisher ( a juvenile female) was trapped in the reed-bed ride as the sun was setting. Only the second one this Autumn- usually get more than this. Contact was also made with the tit flock at it moved back through the withy bed on Monday evening  and a start was made into the forty or so Long-tailed tits in the flock. A few calm evenings this week and correct timing should prove beneficial.