Ringing on 24th Aug 2011

Ringing at the Observatory today provided George with 38 birds to process including 29 New birds and 9 Retraps. The highlight today though was the first "Rare" of the Autumn in the form of a stunning Icterine Warbler! found in a mist net at the Obs. There was also a young Grasshopper Warbler of origin unknown along with two Garden Warblers.

  The mornings catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (6/0) Swallow, (1/0) Meadow Pipit, (1/1) Wren, (1/1) Dunnock, (1/0) Grasshopper Warbler, (2/0) Reed Warbler, (1/0) Icterine Warbler, (6/0) Lesser Whitethroat, (2/2) Whitethroat, (2/0) Garden Warbler, (4/0) Blackcap, (2/2) Willow Warbler, (0/2) Long Tailed Tit and (0/1) Great Tit.

  The Icterine Warbler was the first since 1996! and was just the 24th for the Observatory ever! Well done George for this one, it is just reward for all the completly voluntary effort that George puts in, ringing at the Observatory pratically every day.
  The Grasshopper Warbler was the third for the year following on from two singing adult males trapped in the early part of the summer (which will hopefully be retrapped back on their site next year?).
  The Garden Warblers meanwhile were the 9th and 10th of the year and puts us well on the way towards another cracking year for this species at thye Observatory. They traditionally turn up at Gib in their biggest numbers in late September.

Icterine Warbler ringed at the Observatory on the 24th Aug 2011.
Just the 24th for the Obs ever!
Photo - George Gregory

Icterine Warbler ringed at the Observatory on the 24th Aug 2011.
Just reward for George's continous efforts - Well done George!
Photo - George Gregory.

Grasshopper Warbler ringed on the 24th Aug 2011.
The first caught this Autumn.
Photo - George Gregory.