Barn Owl Boxes (Day 3)

An early start to check five boxes and a number of old trees before work today. While there were no Barn Owls, two previously ringed Mandarin that have nested in the same spots for several years got their yearly check-up – Do you think they expect us?

Female Mandarin

Barn Owl Boxes (Day 2)

A local volunteer project to attract Barn Owls to the countryside around Thorner is showing good results – 2 of their 4 boxes containing Barn Owls today. The first gave some local children the opportunity to see a Barn Owl close up for the first time as Andy put a ring on the bird. Another box contained two Barn Owls sat on a clutch of 3 eggs – both these Owls had been ringed previously.

Barn Owl Boxes

A small group of us joined Andy today checking Barn Owl boxes in countryside to the north and west of Leeds - 6 Barn Owls in total with 3 being ringed for the first time. There were also 3 clutches of eggs so fingers crossed there will be plenty of chicks to ring in just over a months time.

We also ringed 2 Stock Dove chicks and re-caught a Kestrel ringed by Andy in a previous year.

So far it’s looking like it could be a good year for Barn and Tawny Owls.

Barn Owl – Ringed on 2/5/2010

Kestrel – Ringed in a previous year

Owl boxes

I was out with Andy and Iain today checking owl boxes in Wharfedale for nesting activity. Four Tawny Owl pairs and two Goosander nests were found - One of the Goosander nests containing 20 eggs!

A very sleepy Tawny Owl – Already ringed

Goosander – Ringed on 05/04/10

So many Goosander eggs they don’t all fit in the shot – (Andy Jowett)

Spring at last

There were plenty of birds around on this warm spring day and a good selection of species were caught including our first Chiffchaffs and Willow Warbler of the year. 38 new birds and (15 retraps).

Chiffchaff 5 (3), Wren 1, Willow Warbler 1, Reed Bunting 2 (3), Bullfinch 1, Chaffinch 1 (3), Tree Sparrow 5 (1), Marsh Tit 2, Linnet 1, Goldfinch 5 (2), Yellowhammer 8 (1), Great Tit 3, Blue Tit 1 (2), Meadow Pipit 2

Linnet – Ringed on 10/04/2010

Deckchairs out

After a frosty start it soon warmed up and there were plenty of birds about - Our first Chiffchaff of the year was heard. 49 new birds and (15 retraps).

Tree Sparrow 4 (1), Blackbird (1), Reed Bunting 14 (6), Dunnock 1 (3), Goldfinch 13 (1), Yellowhammer 13 (3), Robin 1, Meadow Pipit 1, Chaffinch 2

Yellowhammer - Ringed on 21/03/2010 - Dave Bowes

Chaffinch - Ringed on 2/03/2010

Spring at last

After a bitterly cold winter it was good to put the nets up in some warm sunshine for a change. 8 new birds and (10 retraps).

Reed Bunting 1 (4), Goldfinch 5 (1), Chaffinch 1, Yellowhammer 1, Robin (1), Dunnock (4)

Yellowhammer - Ringed on 13/03/2009