So far, so good

We are now into spring proper and heading for the breeding season of our summer migrants. Our resident birds are well and truly into their breeding season and I have already ringed a fledged (1J) Robin on the 12th.

This report deals with April to date. The garden is a picture, full of flowering primroses and polyanthus and other spring flowers. On the non-avian front, the slow-worms are basking under the tin sheets, the majority of the frog spawn hatched, giving us several hundred tadpoles, (signifying a stock of mince in the freezer), and the toads re-appeared. Bumble bees and other insects made hay with the Ribes blossom, Peacock and Small Tortoishell butterflies were on the wing and the plum trees blosomed and the Camellia flowers wilted. As yet, we await the Bluebells and the main apple and pear blossom season ... and the Redstarts.

All attention has had to be devoted to the garden as I am suffering with prepatella bursitis, or 'house-maids knee' for those of a non-medical persuasion. The local resident birds are mopping up the bird food as quick as I can put it out, both on the tables (3), in the feeders (6) and on the kitchen lawn. To this end, I have had to expend £180 to replenish stocks of SFH, suet pellets, finch seed and mealworms, totalling 65 kg. I will  pick up the millet when I go to Bedford on Sunday. Thank goodness the Wood Mice seem to have buzzed off for the summer.

The three pairs of Herring Gulls are assiduously guarding their nest sites from others and the Jackdaws. A few base sticks and fleshy bits have been put down but none are anywhere near complete. The Lesser Black-back pair have now returned; I don't as yet know where they intend to set up home. This should be their 'parenthood' year if things go to plan.

First Willow Warbler of 2015
(a whiter shade of pale)

Chiffchaff - with pollen horn

The first Swallow, a male with long streamers, appeared on the 6th, the same afternoon that an Osprey flew resolutely north. Yesterday, there were at least 3 Swallows and the first House Martin wheeling overhead. Three new species have been ringed this month - namely, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Rook and, of course, Willow Warbler. The first 'Willy' arrived on the 8th and sang "out front", and I caught a different male the following day. None of the males has been carrying much fat (0-1), whereas the more recently arrived females have all been heavy for their smaller size and fat 2-3.

The first fledgling to be ringed was a Robin that I found in the net on the evening of the 12th.

Fledgling Robin (1J) 12-04-15

All together, I ringed a further 74 birds of 19 species, plus handled 52 individual retraps. So far in 2015, I have ringed just 350 new birds, of which 127 are Goldfinches (36.3% of birds ringed this year to date). There have been 229 handlings of them all told, consisting of 200 'new for year' individual Goldfinches. Some of these have been new or returning migrant birds that drop in for a day or two to feed up before pushing off further north. Our local breeding birds are much leaner and don't just use the feeders but inspect all the plants in the garden and even try to get in the fruit cage. They also appreciate the fine, groomed hair from my Belgian Shepherd.

2CY female (5F) Gt. Spotted Woodpecker

2CY Pied Wagtail (yarrellii) with 4 old greater coverts

With just one 60' net, the list of new birds ringed, with other birds ringed previously in brackets, is:
Gt. Spot Woodpecker - 1
Rook - 1
Goldcrest - 1 (2)
Blue Tit - 2 (1)
Great Tit - 1 (2)
Long-tailed Tit - 1 (2)
Chiffchaff - 5; the only female on the 13th
Willow Warbler - 10; males first, females from the 12th
Blackcap - 6 (1); lingering male on 6th, new birds from the 9th
Wren - 3 (1)
Starling - 2; no unringed birds seen - 6 pairs known
Blackbird - 1 (4); all now feeding young in the nest
Robin - 3 (5);
Dunnock - (4); not as showy as last month
House Sparrow - 2 (6); a few are nesting, others are still thinking about it
Pied Wagtail - 1; minimum of 3 pairs present, poss 4 pairs.
Chaffinch - 4 (2) + 1 adult male (2x) with severe FPV
Greenfinch - 4 (11); 9 males + 6 females, 6 aged 5 (2CY)
Goldfinch - 26 (12); 8 of the retraps were 2CY, only 2 of the new birds were adults (3CY+)
       Finches still dominate in the catches, but Collared Dove (up to 7), Jackdaw (5), Starling, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock and Pied Wagtail are most likely to be seen feeding in the garden at any time of day.

A 'normal' (yellow) spring Willow Warbler

Half Term

It is ten days since the last posting, during which time the children have been off school, Easter has come and gone, the wind has got up and we have had our first rain for two weeks. Goldfinch migration has slowed during this time, but, not with standing, some of the local birds are nesting with at least one pair feeding small young. The same must be true of the Siskins as well.

Euphorbia

Last year (2013), Willow Warblers dominated my ringing effort at this time. The cold weather brought the birds down to the ground looking for insects in the lawns and gathering what pollen there was. The first port of call was undoubtedly, the Euphorbia plants of which we have a good supply. The warblers were mostly caught in single panel nets placed an the lawns/mown grass; 74 in three weeks. As you can see from the table below, this year is different, the birds passing high overhead in the fine weather that has lasted for two weeks.

Species                                                    New birds                 Pulli         Retraps               Total

             Woodpigeon                                       0                       0                       3                       3

             Collared Dove                                     1                       0                       0                       1

             Goldcrest                                             3                       0                       7                     10          

             Blue Tit                                              11                       0                     10                     21

             Great Tit                                             5                       0                       3                       8

             Coal Tit                                               0                       0                       2                       2

             Long-tailed Tit                                    2                       0                       8                     10

             Chiffchaff                                          12                       0                       2                     14

             Willow Warbler                                   1                       0                       0                       1

             Blackcap                                              8                       0                       4                     12

             Wren                                                   4                       0                       3                       7

             Blackbird                                             7                       0                     22                     29

             Redwing                                              2                       0                       0                       2

             Robin                                                   6                       0                     23                     29

             Dunnock                                             7                       0                     27                     34

             House Sparrow                                 11                       0                       8                     19

             Pied/White Wagtail                             2                       0                       2                       4

             Chaffinch                                           25                       0                       3                     28

             Greenfinch                                         32                       0                       9                     41

             Goldfinch                                          301                       0                   155*                  456

                                                                                                       (* of which 74 are NFY birds)

             Siskin                                               128                       0                     31                    159

             Lesser Redpoll                                   3                       0                       0                       3

             Bullfinch                                               9                       0                       6                     15

                           Annual Total:                      580                       0                    328                   908

The period has also been taken up with the final, rigorous checking of the 2013 national database for errors and omissions that involved hunting through pages of data. The net configuration, meanwhile, was reduced to a lone 60' (18m) between the mature apple trees, where the trays and feeders are permanently kept. The start of this period also saw clear skies by day and night and the feeling is that many birds have passed over us and across the Bristol Channel, making landfall in south Wales, going by the latest reports coming from the ringers there.

The trickle that was left amounted to:
Goldcrest (2)
Blue Tit 1 (1)
Blackcap 3
Blackbird (1)
Robin (3)
House Sparrow 1 (1)
Chaffinch 1
Greenfinch 3 (3)
Goldfinch 21 (8)
Siskin 3
Total - 33 new birds, 19 recaptures of 10 species.
In a week's time, when migration will be almost over, our attentions will turn to the species that frequent the water meadows. Weather permitting.

They think it's all over

The sun has come out and stays out from dawn 'til dusk. Shade temperatures in the garden have touched 20deg C. and the first of the Apple trees has decided to flower. Not good news for a bird-ringer in two ways - the birds either move off to pastures new, i.e. their breeding territories further north and east, or really get on with the business of nesting in our hedges, trees and shrubs, and, secondly, the nets become very visible in the sunlight, even with a background, except for a short while at each end of the day. 

Bullfinch, adult male

Five different Bullfinches were caught, comprising two pairs and a lone/spare 2CY female. They always reappear when the buds are swelling, just before the Apple trees come into flower. This was also the time period when the Whitethroats appeared; for this (coastal) part of Somerset, they were two to three days later this year than normal. They  seem to disappear in spring but show themselves again in July. The Willow Warblers seemed to stop abruptly on the 27th; the one pictured in the previous blog (re-shewn below) was a late male (25th) that looked quite different from our more normal, yellowy-green birds. 

Common Whitethroat (male)

Well defined head markings and paler rear underparts
(and late date) suggest
  Phylloscopus trochilus acredula

Given the current weather situation (SUN!), one could put in a lot of effort for very little reward. The only times that catching is viable is early morning and late evening. Even so, things can be pretty dire. We will have to think of alternative methods.

The last week's assortment is on record as:

Woodpigeon 1 

Collared Dove 1 - a young bird [Euring 2I] that hatched either at the end of last year or early in this. The only bird ringed so far this month (May).

Chiffchaff 2 - females on the move

Willow Warbler 5 - females, none after 27th

Blackcap 2 (2) - female ringed on 13th weighed 20.4g on 27th 

Garden Warbler 1 - my one and only for the year?

Com. Whitethroat 4 

Starling 1 

Blackbird (3)

Robin 2 (1) - all males on CP

Dunnock (2) - the garden is "over-run" with them

House Sparrow 1 (1)

Pied Wagtail (1)

Chaffinch (1)

Greenfinch 2 (1)

Goldfinch 14 (1) - birds on the move but with little/no fat reserves

Siskin 7 - suspect they are mainly local breeders

Bullfinch 1 (4) - 2 pairs & a spare female

Total (excluding double counting) - 44 new + 17 re-captures of 18 species. 33 species were seen in or over our garden during this period, including the Com. Swifts.

Between myself and John, who rings at the other side of the village, we ringed over 550 new birds of 37 species last month (April). He "grabbed" a Collared Dove, Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, (Goldcrest), (Jay), Com. Crossbill (4) and Yellowhammer. For my part, he was "missing" Herring Gull, Woodpigeon (3), Pied Wagtail, Garden Warbler, (Coal Tit), Magpie, Starling (2), Brambling (2), and Linnet. I'm usually the one who misses out on the Linnets.

Egrove Lane - May 2013

As far as the trees are concerned, they've got a lot of catching up to do. Blackthorn not flowering until late April - ridiculous!

I'm am hopeful of returning to the water meadows next week for the summer months and also to go and catch a few Swallows at the stables, if the wind permits. We'll have to wait and see.

All shipped out? Not quite!

It's been a week since my last post and a good week it's been. The weather has been bright and sunny for much of the time, if a little breezy. The trees are just thinking about sprouting leaves and, surprise,surprise, the Blackthorn is flowering (6-8 weeeks later than normal)

On Friday last, it was very clear and we finished with cloudless skies that evening and a light westerly; ringing had been slow and so it was to prove the next day as well. Migration had been going on at high level but, conversely, must also have been taking place to the south of us. Sunday and Monday proved the point with an influx of Willow Warblers, after four days of virtually none. It also signalled the "change-over" between the sexes, this time females dominating the catches. 

Willow Warbler

Blackcaps have also seen an increase in the numbers of females coming through, but there are still some very heavy (high fat scores) males passing by, obviously "tanked up" for a long journey ahead of some 200 - 300 miles non-stop  - or possibly more.

"Extra large" male Blackcap

We have also had a steady trickle of Siskins, probably of local residence, coming to the Nyger seed tray and feeders. There have been a couple of females showing good signs of developing a proper brood patch, but on the other hand, a couple of males with full tracheal pits, surely a sign of on-going migration.

Siskin - 2CY male

The main attraction for me, as you all know by now, is the build up of King Harrys (Carduelis carduelis). This started in the middle of last week and is starting to gather pace. It should continue for another couple of weeks. This year, migration is likely to be condensed into just three weeks, instead of a more normal five to six week spread, purely because spring has been delayed somewhat this year [we reckon by about three weeks].

Adult female Goldfinch

The one surprise - a male Starling. There are a few pairs nesting in the village but not many. They visit the garden either to collect nest material or to raid the bird table or the vegetable plot for food for their mate/young. This was only the third to receive some bling here. Many moons ago, we used to visit winter roost sites at night and pluck a sample, and any bird with a ring on, by hand from their perches. Messy job. They're not called "flying s**t" for nothing. 

Adult male Starling in breeding plumage
(ready for the off)

To sum it all up, here's the list for the week:
Woodpigeon 1

Blue Tit 1 (2)

Coal Tit (1) - a broody female

Chiffchaff 1

Willow Warbler 32 (+ 1 control)

Blackcap 16 (6)

Starling 1

Blackbird 3 (2)

Robin (3)

Dunnock 1 (3)

House Sparrow 7 (1)

Chaffinch 1 (+ 'pegleg')

Greenfinch 5 (1)

Goldfinch 29 (5)

Siskin 13

Bullfinch 1 - a 2CY female

Total - 112 (24), 16 species

Other birds seen in the garden included Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Collared Dove (nesting), Magpie, Rook, Jackdaw, Swift, Great Tit, Swallow, House Martin, Wren (2 singing males), Song Thrush, Pied Wagtail (min 2 pairs), as well as the neighbouring Herring Gulls (2 pairs nest building) now joined by a pair of Lesser Black-back Gulls.

Bee Fly spp.
(found clinging to the net)

Down the lane, I also picked up my first Sand Martin, Common Whitethroat, Little Owl and Kestrel. A lone Little Egret reconnoiters the stream daily.

It's predicted to turn much colder next week with northerly winds again, so 'fingers crossed'.

Red letter, Yellow letter

The stiff wind has put paid to any garden ringing for a couple of days or so.

It's not been 'all bad' as the migrants are still (were) passing through. Even another Lesser Redpoll (or whatever - subject to lumping again?)

I do love these coverts!

(Lesser) Redpoll

It's been up and down by species but overall things are looking good. The only worry is the severe lack of insects as is shown by the Phylloscs feeding on the ground, especially early in the day. The Blackcaps continue to queue up for their ready-soaked sultanas (7 in view around one bird table the other day) before attacking the Ivy berries.

2CY female Blackcap
(3CY+ females have a proper chestnut cap)

Two of the over-wintering Blackcaps were re-caught - two 3CY females at 24.0 g and  24.3 g (early morning), both ESF fat 5. On the other hand, a returning 3CY male only weighed 18.1 g, still holding on to a small amount of fat after his return migration.

We have been graced with two Common Redstarts, a young female and a young male, the latter staying for a morning and finding its way into and out of the fruit cage. 

Common Redstarts - 2CY female (top), 2CY male

At the same time, the Siskins continue to find the Nyger seed ... and some the net (the sheltered one, between the bare Apple trees).

male Siskin (April)

Since the last blog, the birds caught are as under:

Blue Tit 1 - female, thinking of breeding (no proper BP)

Great Tit 1 - cocky adult male

Long-tailed Tit 1 - a hen with a nest somewhere hereabouts

Chiffchaff 5 - all the fairer (and smaller) sex

Willow Warbler 17 - looks like the ladies now outnumber the men 2 to 1

Blackcap 30 (4) - plus several same period retraps

Wren (1)

Blackbird 2 - both brooding hens

Robin 1 - a new, full adult male

Redstart 2 - both 2CY as told by their old greater coverts

Dunnock 1 (2) - 

Chaffinch (1) - the cock minus a foot caused by 'leg mange'

Greenfinch (1 control) - ringed as a 2CY male 2 winters ago

Goldfinch 4 - 2 male, 2 female; a rather 'chunky' male off somewhere

Siskin 11 - in all stages of abrasion into breeding plumage

Lesser Redpoll 1 - 4th of the year

Bullfinch (1) - the male hatched 2011, now in full glory.

Total - 77 new + 10 retraps 

Black Friday

Let the figures speak for themselves. 

It's been amazing seeing all these Blackcaps, mainly males passing through the garden. One was first ringed 2 years ago (3rd July) as a 3J down on the water meadow; the others have been around  for 3-4 days. At the same time, Phylloscs have been moving through, across the grass mainly. Have now sussed how to catch these low-flying/hopping jobs - by putting a single panel down the garden path! As well as the birds below, quite a few others were seen to avoid capture as they moved across the plot. The one red letter bird was Linnet that we have never seen in the garden before.

Chiffchaff 4 (1) - 1 female (on size)

Willow Warbler 8 (1) - all males (on size); one very yellow bird inc. legs

Blackcap 11 (5) - all males except 2

Blackbird 1 - longish winged, 2CY male, 

Robin (1) - 1 of the resident cocks in fine fettle

Dunnock (1)

House Sparrow 2

Brambling 1 - 2CY male

Greenfinch 2 (1)

Goldfinch 1 (1)

Siskin 5 - mixed of ages and sexes

Linnet 1 - adult female (BP2)

36 new, 11 recaptures

Adult female Linnet (3CY+)

2CY male Brambling 

The heaviest Willy was 10.5g (F25 ESF). A Goldfinch was a nice weight at 18.8g (F50), 4g above 'summer norm'. Blackcaps ranged from 16.4g to 22.2g (F35), with most around the 18.4g mark. The Brambling was 27.9g (only F15). Just 2 Blackcaps had a low muscle score of 1.

Willow Warbler, male

We were also graced with 8-10 returning Swallows and a single House Martin. On the buttie front - Peacock, Comma and Small Tortoiseshell. No sign of last week's Small White and Red Admiral.