Barn Owls

Our first post winter check of four Barn Owl boxes produced a pair at a site where they've not bred before. The female, pictured, was already ringed and a control GC85185 (from memory). Fingers crossed for pulli later in the year.

Barn Owl

Some days you just get lucky

A bit windy here this weekend so I thought it about time I updated you on our luck last Sunday. Once again, a small group of us were out targeting the corn feeders at Bishop Monkton. It was much warmer this weekend so four nets were opened. Up until 10:30 it was an average morning.

Green Woodpecker

Our 30 minutes of luck then started. We were pleased with an unexpected Kingfisher on our planned net round (ringing tick for Anita). I then set out to try and tape lure a Green Woodpecker into the far net. But, flushed it in on the way there (ringing tick for me). Whilst ringing these we got great views of a fox that walked out into the open right in front of the shed. And then, while still ringing the last net round, Dave somehow manages to spot a female Sparrowhawk heading in the direction of our feeder nets – He runs off and returns with said Sparrowhawk (ringing tick for Natasha).

Anita with her first Kingfisher

Natasha with her first Sparrowhawk

42 New birds and (20) retraps – Yellowhammer 16(2), Reed Bunting 9(8), Dunnock (7) Chaffinch 5, Blackbird 4, Great Tit 1(2), Tree Sparrow 1, Wren 1, Fieldfare 1, Songthrush 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Kingfisher 1, Sparrowhawk 1,Blue Tit (1).

Sledgehammers

After a disappointing start to the season, I was determined to get out ringing at the weekend. Saturday morning was out due to other commitments and with the big snow event on Saturday evening the chances of getting to our site Sunday were not looking good.

Freezing cold

An early drive, on roads you could have sledged down, paid off as all the muppet drivers were still in bed. On arrival it was -9, by far the coldest I’ve ever ringed in, so I decide just the one net would suffice today. Targeting Yellowhammers at one of our large corn feeders I managed to pick off 14 more with 7 retraps from previous years. Hopefully, it’ll be cold but not quiet so cold next weekend.

18 New birds and (15 retraps) – Yellowhammer 14(7), Dunnock (4), Chaffinch 1(1), Tree Sparrow 1(1), Great Tit 1, Reed Bunting 1, Robin (1), Blackbird (1).