Ringing on 14th June 2011

George had a go over at the Observatory today despite the inclement weather. He finished with just 5 birds processed, all of them New birds!

  The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Dunnock, (1/0) Sedge Warbler, (1/0) Whitethroat and (2/0) Linnet.

Also reported on the 14th June 2011 were -

x1 Montague's Harrier (Female)
x2 Marsh Harrier
x1 Long Tailed Duck (Mere)
x73 Avocet
x1 Common Sandpiper
x9 Little Gull (South)
x3 Gannet (North)
x1 Turtle Dove (Beach car park)
x1 Spotted Flycatcher
x1 Siskin
x1 Common Rosefinch

Sedge Warbler ringed on the 14th June 2011.
Photo - George Gregory

Reported - 13th June 2011

Reported on the 13th June 2011 were -

x1 Long Tailed Duck (Mere)
x1 Ruddy Shelduck (Mere)
x1 Barn Owl
x1 Spoonbill (Jacksons at 7.30am)
x1 Little Gull
x2 Little Ringed Plover
x1 Turtle Dove
x1 Crossbill

Ringing on 12th June 2011

Double effort day today with George over at the Observatory and Mick Briggs and Dave Vincent over at Aylmer Avneue. The combined resulot was just 31 birds processed, capturing hampered with bright sunshine from the get go. There were 15 New birds and 16 Retraps.

  The days catch was made up thus (New/Retraps) - (1/0) Wood Pigeon, (0/1) Robin, (1/0) Reed Warbler, (2/1) Lesser Whitethroat, (3/3) Whitethroat, (1/0) Blackcap, (0/2) Willow Warbler, (0/1) Coal Tit, (1/4) Blue Tit, (0/1) Great Tit, (6/2) Chaffinch and (0/1) Greenfinch.

Also reported on the 12th June 2011 were -

x1 Long Tailed Duck (Mere)
x1 Turtle Dove (Beach Car park area)
x1 Crossbill

Ringing on 11th June 2011

The weather turned unpleaseant again today and so results were not good but George had a go over at the Observatory anyway, with just 5 birds processed including 1 New bird and 4 Retraps.

  The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Meadow Pipit, (0/1) Dunnock, (0/2) Whitethroat and (0/1) Great Tit.

Also reported on the 11th June 2011 were -

x1 Long Tailed Duck
x1 Mediterranean Gull
x1 Montague's Harrier
x1 Turtle Dove
x1 Crossbill

Ringing on 10th June 2011

More of the same today, with George at the Observatory in the morning and then over at the feeding station. The days result was an improved 32 birds processed including 18 New birds and 14 Retraps.

 The days catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (2/1) Wren, (2/2) Dunnock, (1/0) Robin, (4/3) Whitethroat, (0/1) Blackcap, (0/5) Blue Tit, (4/1) Great Tit, (1/1) Chaffinch, (3/0) Greenfinch and (1/0) Goldfinch.

Juvenile Goldfinch ringed on the 10th June 2011.
Photo - George Gregory

Ringing on 9th June 2011

George was again ringing at the Observatory in the mroning before opening up at the feeding station for a brief session around dinner time. The Result for the day was 21 birds processed including 7 New birds and 14 Retraps.

  The days catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (0/1) Great Spotted Woodpecker, (0/1) Wren, (2/1) Dunnock, (0/1) Blackbird, (1/4) Whitethroat, (1/4) Blue Tit, (2/2) Great Tit and (1/0) Chaffinch.

Also reported on the 9th June 2011 were -

x1 Long Tailed Duck (Mere)
x1 Ruddy Shelduck (Mere)
x1 Mediterranean Gull (1st Summer on Tennysons)
x1 Montague's Harrier
x1 Turtle Dove
x1 Crossbill

Ringing on 8th June 2011

George was back over at the Observatory today with 12 birds processed in the drafty conditions!, including 9 New birds and 3 Retraps.

  The days catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Wren, (1/0) Dunnock, (0/1) Blackbird, (3/1) Whitethroat, (3/1) Blue Tit and (1/0) Great Tit.

  Also reported on the 8th June 2011 were -

x1 Puffin (North)
x1 Mediterranean Gull
x1 Long Tailed Duck
x2 Gargeney (A pair on Jacksons Marsh)
x1 Little Egret
x5 Black Tailed Godwit
x40 Avocet
x200 Knot (On beach)
x70 Dunlin
x1 Garden Warbler
x2 Turtle Dove
x1 Cuckoo

C.E.S. No4 7th June 2011

Mick Briggs was unable to complete the C.E.S. this weekend just gone due to the inclement weather and so today George managed to save the day and get it done instead. At the same time Mike Polling was ringing over at the Feeding Station. The combined result for the day was an impressive 80 birds processed including 50 New birds and 30 Retraps.
  The high numbers were undoubtedly due to there suddenly being a glut of new juveniles fresh out of nests around the reserve.

  The days catch was made up thus (New/Retraps) - (0/1) Great Spotted Woodpecker, (2/0) Swallow, (5/1) Dunnock, (1/1) Robin, (1/0) Sedge Warbler, (1/0) Reed Warbler, (1/2) Lesser Whitethroat, (1/10) Whitethroat, (0/1) Blackcap, (0/1) Willow Warbler, (7/1) Long Tailed Tit, (5/0) Coal Tit, (11/1) Blue Tit, (5/3) Great Tit, (4/5) Chaffinch, (4/3) Greenfinch and (2/0) Linnet.

  The highlight of the day was an amazing 5 New Coal Tit in one day! Clearly proving breeding on the reserve somewhere close to the netting area, I would suggest in the pines around Aylmer Avenue where they have been heard regularly through the summer.

  Well done Mike for the days ringing and Well done George for keeping the C.E.S. on track when the weather had, it would seem beaten Mick for the first time in 3 years!

  Also Reported on the 7th June 2011 were -

x1 Long Tailed Duck (Mere)
x1 Ruddy Shelduck
x1 Mediterranean Gull
x1 Glaucous Gull
x1 Yellow Legged Gull
x1 Red Kite
x1 Black Redstart
x1 Cuckoo
x1 Turtle Dove

1 of 5 Juvenile Coal Tits ringed on 7th June 2011.
Photo - George Gregory

Long Tailed Tit ringed on the 7th June 2011.
Photo - George Gregory

Ringing on 6th June 2011

With the weather imporoving slightly today, George was back in action first at the Observatory and then later over at the feedings station. The result was 21 birds processed including 10 New birds and 11 retraps.

  The days catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (0/1) Great Spotted Woodpecker, (1/0) Meadow Pipit, (0/1) Dunnock, (2/2) Blackbird, (2/5) Whitethroat, (1/0) Blue Tit, (4/1) Chaffinch and (0/1) Greenfinch.

  Reported on the 6th June 2011 were -

x1 Puffin (South)
x6 Guillemot (South)
x1 Manx Shearwater (North)
x30+ Gannet
x67 Eider
x1 Long Tailed Duck (Still on the Mere)
x1 Ruddy Shelduck (Still on the Mere)
x1 Barnacle Goose (Presumed feral escape on Croft Marsh)
x1 Mediterranean Gull (1st Summer on Tennysons)
x1 Short Eared Owl
x300+ Swift (South)
x5 Blackcap
x1 Bearded Tit (Tennysons)
x1 Grasshopper Warbler
x2 Siskin (South)
x4 Crossbill

Reported - 5th June 2011

Reported on the 5th June 2011 were -

x5 Manx Shearwater (North)
x2 Kittiwake (North)
x11 Gannet (North)
x1 Fulmar (North)
x3 Guillemot (North)
x3 Common Scoter (North)
x1 Long Tailed Duck (Female on the Mere)
x1 Ruddy Shelduck (On the Mere)
x1 Marsh Harrier
x1 Barn Owl
x1 Yellow Legged Gull (Adult)
x2 Mediterranean Gull
x1 Common Sandpiper
x5 Crossbill

Reported - 4th June 2011

Reported on the 4th June 2011 were -

x1 Mediterranean Gull (Tennyson Sands)
x25 Crosssbill (including 9 in Beach Car Park)

Ringing on 3rd June 2011

Not content with the excitement of yesterday, George was back ringing at the Observatory today, all be it fairly breifly due to the slightly windy conditions. The result for the day was 12 birds processed including 9 New birds and 3 Retraps.

  The days catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (1/0) Dunnock, (0/2) Whitethroat and (8/1) Blue Tit.

Ringing on 2nd June 2011

George was ringing again today, firstly at the Observatory and then later on over at the feeding station. The result for the day was 19 birds processed including 10 New birds and 9 Retraps.

  The dramatic result of the day and possible of the year though was the capture and ringing of a First for the Observatory, in the shape of a MARSH WARBLER.

  In typical style, George extracted this bird and knew exactly what it was immediately, quickly texting anybody who may have been close enough to see the bird in the hand before release. Just a couple of observers managed to see the bird before release and judging by the rarity value of this species on the reserve, they can consider themselves extremely lucky!

  The days catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (0/1) Great Spotted Woodpecker, (1/0) Dunnock, (0/1)Blackbird, (1/0) Marsh Warbler, (1/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (1/3) Whitethroat, (4/1) Chaffinch, (0/1) Greenfinch and (2/2) Goldfinch.

  The Marsh Warbler became the 173rd species ringed for the Observatory and a species which will be right up there as one of the best captures of the year!

  WELL DONE George!

MARSH WARBLER ringed on 2nd June 2011 - First for the Observatory!
Photo - George Gregory

MARSH WARBLER ringed on 2nd June 2011 - First for the Observatory!
Photo - George Gregory