January & February 2003
Freezing conditions (and snow covered farmland) brought many Fieldfare in to a private orchard to feed on fallen apples. This occurs almost every year at some point and we try to make at least one catch when this happens. Last winter there were over 250 feeding around just ten trees!! The sugar into fat attraction of the apples brings other birds too including lots of Blackbirds, the odd Mistle Thrush etc.
This is definitely a 'Siskin' winter . At a regular feeding station site in Thornton we have ringed ten birds in two days. Niger seed is a Siskin favourite. This is an adult male.
Ringed several Yellowhammer today also another Siskin. Look at the ageing & sexing page, click on the image of the open wing (right) to enlarge then see if you can age this male Siskin. Also first Snowdrops!!
Female Blackcap ringed in a Shepshed garden by Nigel Judson. The number of over-wintering birds in the county seems to increase every year. I had 4 together 2M & 2F last winter in my garden at Whetstone.
First winter male Firecrest ringed at Wigston Sewage farm (see projects pages 2 & 3). We know from ringing that there are often more Firecrests in the county than are seen or reported.
More Siskins ringed today. There have been several birds coming to feeders in the gardens of two group members.
A total of 15 Siskins caught today by Nigel Judson in Shepshed. This continues a remarkable run, and over 30 birds have been ringed so far this year at 3 sites.