Mist netting at Charnwood Lodge this afternoon resulted in some lingering 'summer migrants' being caught & ringed. A few years ago wintering Chiffchaffs (below left) and Blackcaps (below right) were rare in the county but not anymore, so these could stay and stick it out. Having said that the Blackcap had a good layer of fat laid down (this can be seen in the hand below the skin on the abdomen and looks like a smudge of margerine) so it may be heading south.
Excellent afternoon at Browns Wood near Thornton where tape luring of Meadow Pipits (below left) resulted in a large catch which also included several Yellowhammer a Goldfinch & a Linnett (below right). This area of grassland will hold hundreds of wintering pipits, finches & buntings and we will report progress here over the next few months.
Return to roost netting at Charnwood Lodge this evening produced usual finches and thrushes including the first Redwing of the autumn (below left) and nearby a first winter female Stonechat (below right). Jack Snipe flushed, Raven & Buzzards soaring overhead.
Excellent roost at Charnwood Lodge. Over 60 birds ringed, 3 Woodcock in flight, dozens of Redwing coming in to roost and a fine selection of birds including lots of Goldcrests, Coal & Marsh Tits and usual Thrushes & Finches.
Last weekends report of 3 Woodcock around the site has turned out to be almost prophetic. Along with the expected roost birds the Group caught & ringed this Woodcock (the first ever). The record shot (right) was taken in the ringing room with a low resolution digital camera.
Yet another good roost session at Charnwood Lodge. 55 birds ringed including Song Thrush Redwing etc and the highlight TWO Firecrests ringed in the Rhododendron 'tunnel'.
Another tape luring session at Browns Wood produced more Meadow Pipits. It is remarkable how variable these birds are. There are only two regular sub species so the variation we observed we think is more likely due to individual charecteristics than anything else.
go to next page