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.

Monday, 18 March 2013

Hibernation over!

We are back.  After the long winter months when little is happening down here in the withy bed and the reeds it is time to start making good ready for arriving migrant birds and the CES.  A visit yesterday was made to assess the situation.  It is still very wet in the withy bed and a small stream was running along the net line.








Work on the withy bed will start at the end of this week when our good friends from Kingston Maurward College will bring some students down to learn the art of coppicing.  Coppicing is a very old tradition and when finished is very rewarding.

The reed bed is similarly very wet at the moment but the recent deluges might have something to do with this.  Hopefully the levels will drop before the CES starts and make walking through them easier.




It is hoped to pop down tomorrow morning just to air the couple of nets in the withy bed and try for a few migrants.