tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37618867260737833462024-02-19T02:06:23.026+00:00Bishop Monkton BirdersA blog of Aidan Smith's ringing activities - Normally, these take place at sites near Bishop Monkton and in Wharfedale.Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-55747894273122105002012-04-10T19:15:00.003+01:002012-04-10T19:22:30.231+01:00Swallow to MaltaNice to see one of our Swallows controlled in Malta.<div><a href="http://btoringing.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/return-of-hirundo.html"><br />http://btoringing.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/return-of-hirundo.html</a><div><br /></div></div>Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-51174121030744500162012-02-21T20:28:00.003+00:002012-02-21T20:40:01.506+00:00Barn Owls<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: justify; ">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). </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: justify; ">Fingers crossed for pulli later in the year.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHdWm-tkMEwkQDFnCIEWzucCuJkcosLIfFN5UZ-D5a4x2lSpdRPBZqhCRiZTMXwkexIKtF_WPLViHHQW6IPEEEEnFJI-RgImVyb5jYxZcrAwn5Gc2E8S80ETTPqvAoKFezA6gx80Q0Gs/s320/IMG_1065.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711690980878936194" /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Barn Owl</span></div>Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-85833076581739967392012-02-19T09:06:00.004+00:002012-02-19T09:29:11.081+00:00Some days you just get lucky<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: left; ">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.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><p style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "></p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JSwQ3Bqg_llX0hTbktPyuMnzDkncjAMs7hkZxfDQQZ98TQnAJ_f6zFs2bSXcZRyi5KLfLYWfV9Vu0WSDkd_UkzLPlKv7J5x0AEif_a3zwoTVLfTywtDquF0BqjLDrcwvfIKRmpjmQa0/s320/Gree+Woodpecker.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710772693966701202" /><div style="text-align: center;">Green Woodpecker</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">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 </span><span style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">and returns with said Sparrowhawk (ringing tick for Natasha).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5yB_FnQiyA442HL6HlT5B8pHK4KmNhuv54BcmOG5nl-Wpkxe_eT90NC4f04xITTkv2dGyOxSyyp6nP1z00fjF2ABivQvb6hp5Mj3BwFpUHPvz3IlKCOj9RLLlrAsPN3M-Z5AW7grV4c/s320/IMG_1050_B.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710772680160183762" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Anita with her first Kingfisher</span></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UczOzdPpyyC3GGAT-_MSpT9juXclS-hshD7AdqNLlCILoufXGx_RHZCRqgjlqHiuqNmVKY9EJJjhh0mYk0PTP0aeA049IvNAzP-A2hX5svaE35RDb4tSLME1QhqVkNxbnZlwmK-kQvk/s320/IMG_1051_B.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710772668118182834" style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, serif; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Natasha with her first Sparrowhawk</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">42 New birds and (20) retrap</span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">s </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">– Yellowhammer 16(2), Reed Bunting 9(8), Dunnock (7) Chaffinch 5, Blackbird 4, Great Tit</span><span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">1(2), Tree Sparrow 1, Wren 1, Fieldfare 1, Songthrush 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Kingfisher 1, Sparrowhawk 1,Blue Tit (1).</span></p>Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-47553723686496797972012-02-09T18:09:00.005+00:002012-02-09T18:19:48.723+00:00Sledgehammers<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">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.</span></div><div><span><br /></span><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FlPdfk3Dd7CK924rSZ9wTNvKi0-fMh3weok9ltR3viGsmAQXJSmHGoi4X5wUFUlBpOAIdkPM6YVjfE_1c7c2fM-xqbDYaa68HQ2cclaAaLBm2SNOciI5db134arApYE5NWCMS0lM1Wg/s320/IMG_1018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707200501101795474" /><span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Freezing cold</span></div></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">An early drive, on roads you could have sledged down, paid off as all the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">muppet</span> drivers were still in bed. On arrival it was -9, by far the coldest I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ve</span> 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 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">retraps</span> from previous years. Hopefully, it’ll be cold but not quiet so cold next weekend.</span></span><br /><br /><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">18 New birds and (15 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">retraps</span>) – Yellowhammer 14(7), <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Dunnock</span> (4), Chaffinch 1(1), Tree Sparrow 1(1), Great Tit 1, Reed Bunting 1, Robin (1), Blackbird (1).</span></span><br /></div>Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-1892671606399169302011-11-26T18:19:00.005+00:002011-11-26T18:43:02.309+00:00Something a little differentI know this is my ringing blog. However, with it being a tad windy for a mist net today I joined Chris and a few of his students down one of our sites for a spot of mammal trapping. Of the 60 traps set overnight about half had success (numbers were apparently very good), with Wood Mouse, Bank Vole, Field Vole and Common Shrew all putting in an appearance. Unfortunately, the Harvest Mouse remained elusive.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679371334833892978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9QAfqpyoxASriNnPWH9x9Kwff7SUT6lemSYjfvDqOKrw7ddn-uaOTfEKj3CvPLnHzPIqV8aXccfnyfmuqswhccN2Be0pz8jz_xBvmuGOGWzh-c4qqYMqOTPJnKQu-UhZBIRT97ut-fE/s320/Bank+Vole_Blog.jpg" /><br /><div align="center"><em>Bank Vole</em></div>Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-44955150368782761992011-09-02T08:43:00.001+01:002011-09-02T08:45:24.765+01:00Swallow controlsOn the final day of August things started well and it looked like we were going to get a proper ringing session in for a change. There were plenty of Swallows swirling around the net. But, after the good start, numbers dropped off and the rain moved in so it was yet another early night. On the plus side, we did manage to control 2 Swallows and as they were both off the same ring string I’ll be checking them with our friends at the East Dales Ringing Group prior to submitting the data to the BTO, as on occasion they ring close by.
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<br />51 New birds, [2] controls and (1) retrap – Swallow 46[2], Reed Bunting 3(1), Reed Warbler 1, Sand Martin 1.
<br />Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-32420022745873208312011-08-30T21:28:00.007+01:002011-08-31T04:13:04.333+01:00July updateA busy few months so hence an update for July when we’re almost in September!
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<br />July turned out to be a funny month - It’s normal for us to be inundated with hundreds of Sand Martins but this year they just didn’t seem to turn up, or went early. Not through a lack of trying our Sand Martin tally for the year is less than some single evenings we had last year! We hear others found this too.
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<br />That said, while we didn’t get the quantity we did get the quality. Reed Buntings became our staple and Linnet often made its way into the net too. And, of course, there was much excitement when we ringed two Green Sandpiper and two Yellow Wagtail, both new for our site and ringing ticks all round for a change.
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<br />Over at our Scarborough site Dave managed a single Storm Petrel, always a dedicated achievement to catch them in Yorkshire.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnf3o37dYIOLobCBZUKkJbWdYQ7u6v7Ic27nYrV4CWRH-Rhy-Z_ScFwCl7yJxBkuR4PeToPYDalRbe6LbIWQkPwxlcrrNJ58nnoh_EcEuYI_Ij4PWfp13EAcJTJjTbVVhiAYwdwfGcZtI/s1600/Green+Sandpiper_Blog.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646749154750474546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnf3o37dYIOLobCBZUKkJbWdYQ7u6v7Ic27nYrV4CWRH-Rhy-Z_ScFwCl7yJxBkuR4PeToPYDalRbe6LbIWQkPwxlcrrNJ58nnoh_EcEuYI_Ij4PWfp13EAcJTJjTbVVhiAYwdwfGcZtI/s320/Green+Sandpiper_Blog.jpg" /></a>
<br /><div align="center"><em>Green Sandpiper</em></div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4w-dqtShQ071T9QR-m85XEcET5odxCOjGiIhCJSg9uPAdySFmDxz_9DxDY81WFt2UeSrKvSxY5zKiqnSgW1HWTD3Ge5nQmcJOEyo8lSjvy_CJyPhAY913SnhvnML-t968fC3DOzsjbV8/s1600/Yellow+Wagtail_Blog.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646749156555943090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4w-dqtShQ071T9QR-m85XEcET5odxCOjGiIhCJSg9uPAdySFmDxz_9DxDY81WFt2UeSrKvSxY5zKiqnSgW1HWTD3Ge5nQmcJOEyo8lSjvy_CJyPhAY913SnhvnML-t968fC3DOzsjbV8/s320/Yellow+Wagtail_Blog.jpg" /></a>
<br /><div align="center"><em>Yellow Wagtail</em></div>
<br />706 New birds in July at our Bishop Monkton sites - Green Sandpiper 2, Sand Martin 220, Swallow 130, House Martin 4, Meadow Pipit 5, Yellow Wagtail 2, Pied Wagtail 17, Wren 8, Dunnock 6, Robin 5, Redstart 2, Blackbird 5, Song Thrush 1, Grasshopper Warbler 3, Sedge Warbler 49, Reed Warbler 8, Whitethroat 46, Garden Warbler 1, Blackcap 4, Chiffchaff 14, Willow Warbler 37, Marsh Tit 3, Blue Tit 4, Great Tit 2, Treecreeper 2, Jay 1, Jackdaw 1, Tree Sparrow 3, Chaffinch 3, Greenfinch 1, Goldfinch 18, Linnet 5, Bullfinch 17, Yellowhammer 3, Reed Bunting 74.Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-3207779888032698132011-07-25T07:58:00.001+01:002011-07-25T07:58:36.815+01:00Sand Martin session 5Just the one ringing session over the past week. A little breezy to start, but it soon calmed down to give better conditions. Once again, species other than Sand Martin made for a large proportion of our ringing session. It’s looking like we’ve either missed the Sand Martins or that they’re just not around in the numbers they were last year. Greenfinch was a bonus ringing tick for Alun – It’s been a while since we’ve caught one!<br /><br />60 New birds and (2) retraps – Sand Martin 15, Swallow 14, Sedge Warbler 10, Reed Bunting 7(1), Pied Wagtail 5, Whitethroat 1, Reed Warbler 2(1), Greenfinch 1, Goldfinch 1, Chiffchaff 1.Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-65515863587863338462011-07-16T20:37:00.002+01:002011-07-16T20:41:29.182+01:00Monthly TotalsA few nets were opened this morning. But, with only three birds caught rain was on the horizon so it was back home to update IPMR and our website - Where monthly totals for 2011 have been added.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bishopmonktonbirders.co.uk/">http://www.bishopmonktonbirders.co.uk</a><br /><br />2 New birds and (1) retrap - Dunnock 1(1), Whitethroat 1.Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-5647925133087287922011-07-10T13:50:00.006+01:002011-07-10T14:33:45.285+01:00A fine startThe forecast blue sky didn’t materialise. However, the overcast conditions made for perfect ringing until torrential rain brought proceedings to an end a little earlier than we would have liked. Plenty of 3Js around today and young David managed two ringing ticks – Redstart and Jackdaw.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioX0fyIP2rV8pVYZQJZg7AikuhlQzdXO5Qwu9p6q4MybwniRTmpcdOYeSuwMYAqNEDlbbPcjHUS1jPmg57Pclrewxs3FVD3xr7NBieW8sP6p4__kndxxw-Y7h2YGNUWgTsvjoRxz7ih_g/s1600/2011-07-10+Redstart_Blog.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627705565544286882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioX0fyIP2rV8pVYZQJZg7AikuhlQzdXO5Qwu9p6q4MybwniRTmpcdOYeSuwMYAqNEDlbbPcjHUS1jPmg57Pclrewxs3FVD3xr7NBieW8sP6p4__kndxxw-Y7h2YGNUWgTsvjoRxz7ih_g/s320/2011-07-10+Redstart_Blog.jpg" /> <br /><p align="center"></a><em>3J Redstart</p></em><em><p align="left"></em>58 New birds and (10) retraps – Whitethroat 8(1), Sedge Warbler 8, Willow Warbler 5(2), Blackbird 5, Chiffchaff 4(1), Bullfinch 4, Robin 4, Blackcap 3(1), Grasshopper Warbler 2(2), Wren 2(1), Dunnock 2(1), Marsh Tit 2, Yellowhammer 2, Chaffinch 1(1), Jackdaw 1, Great Tit 1, Redstart 1, Reed Bunting 1, Blue Tit 1. </p>Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-81638452268593585932011-07-02T23:00:00.000+01:002011-07-03T10:25:12.357+01:00Dave gets a ringing tick (a rare thing these days)Convinced the Green Sandpiper would be back Dave started a long night of net checking. By dawn he only had a single Swallow to show for his efforts so he called it a night and went to take the net down. At which point the bird flushed and Dave got a ringing tick on his own patch.<br /><br />On joining Dave for our planned mornings ringing session we then headed down to our main site to prepare some net lanes for the autumn ringing season.<br /><br />11 New birds and (3) retraps – Sedge Warbler 4, Whitethroat 3, Willow Warbler 1, Jay 1, Green Sandpiper 1, Swallow 1, Grasshopper Warbler (1), Reed Bunting (1), Reed Warbler (1).Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-35231060172965479672011-07-01T23:00:00.000+01:002011-07-03T10:24:09.073+01:00Sand Martin session 2Conditions were much better but it was looking like another slow evening. A flypast from a Sparrowhawk didn’t help so a trip to the chip to the chip shop in Boroughbridge ensued. Two Green Sandpiper flew in at about 20:00 to feed on the mud that shows in dry conditions, so another net was hastily put up to cover this. It remained quiet until about 21:45 when the Sand Martins swarmed and hit the net as they came into roost. There were a few retraps from last year and 2 controls - I suspect these controls are from the East Dales Ringing Group who occasionally ring Sand Martins in the area too.<br /><br />Unlike the Pipistrelle bats the Green Sandpiper bounced the new net as we returned. It was first time I’d seen a bat in the net and now there were five!<br /><br />152 New birds, (7) retraps and [2] controls – Sand Martin 131 (5) [2], Reed Bunting 12 (1), Sedge Warbler 3, Reed Warbler 2, Whitethroat 1, Chiffchaff 1, Swallow 1, Blackbird 1.Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-39364561074464206822011-06-30T23:00:00.002+01:002011-07-03T10:27:43.983+01:00Sand Martin session 1This was our first Sand Martin session of the year and to be honest, with the weather being a little breezy and on the cool side, it was a little slow. We did have a good turn out though and we welcomed Claire who joined us for her first taste of ringing.<br /><br />For me, the evening's highlight was the second flypast of a Hobby; several times it banked and dived steeply over our pond.<br /><br />19 New birds – Sand Martin 8, Reed Warbler 3, Sedge Warbler 3, Whitethroat 2, Reed Bunting 2, Swallow 1.Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-70802446039733388912011-06-19T20:49:00.000+01:002011-06-19T20:50:45.759+01:00Net lane preparationIt was raining when I awoke this morning so I set off to strim a couple of net lanes in the rain. Somewhat surprisingly, the rain hadn’t touched the ringing site so a couple of nets were hastily erected. 7 New birds and 7 net lanes strimmed – Including one for Sand Martins later this week.<br /> <br />7 New birds and (2) retraps – Robin 2, Long-tailed Tit 1 (1), Whitethroat 1 (1), Sedge Warbler 1, Chaffinch 1, Blackbird 1.Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-90319886312053443532011-06-12T18:48:00.011+01:002011-06-12T19:31:36.746+01:00Phew! Rain at last<div align="left">With the exception of bringing you the breaking news on the Nightjar I've been too busy to update my blog of late. So here's a photographic snapshot of my ringing over the past week.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_GyR7FfvKM1hvPD1dzzic8Sfn7FuoHczxCEL5Aa61pxXDTEdvHVU_cYp1UczsAS1Y-ZVw-WNcWjrKumbwAPkDbHAN2_17FQj5INViq6z2RwFDGN5wTKPIpYH7UfAJuKM9lTANFLlKB4/s1600/Kestrel+Eggs_s.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617395710698299282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_GyR7FfvKM1hvPD1dzzic8Sfn7FuoHczxCEL5Aa61pxXDTEdvHVU_cYp1UczsAS1Y-ZVw-WNcWjrKumbwAPkDbHAN2_17FQj5INViq6z2RwFDGN5wTKPIpYH7UfAJuKM9lTANFLlKB4/s320/Kestrel+Eggs_s.jpg" /><p align="center"></a>What's with the white egg?<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETXqSzFKzII3RM9amJK-FB9gJcgo_7jOaTOHhi5M_XSxQ-so_08diTffszPWKrjgM3TGlPd6hIKP0mri4OBRTamMzZ5yImdQUdaCFFciniUe_O6Jz8wNnBiTG0Of0d8kspnt3RZ4F05M/s1600/Kestrel+1_s.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617393816536218082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETXqSzFKzII3RM9amJK-FB9gJcgo_7jOaTOHhi5M_XSxQ-so_08diTffszPWKrjgM3TGlPd6hIKP0mri4OBRTamMzZ5yImdQUdaCFFciniUe_O6Jz8wNnBiTG0Of0d8kspnt3RZ4F05M/s320/Kestrel+1_s.jpg" /><p align="center"></a>Oh how cute<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmuNIfHx0Y7qKOjGsEHqHOK8MbnSGMFjYw48ZveTECeQ5rF0s7xtJ0-9IIuGP83ExoAA1qy7VRl_5mIOsovM60BfwbcQqskjDp5ObZAkqOKGtvTLa3s2vf5w2UbrSJr-BM4bhMpD7ZJs/s1600/Kestrel+2_s.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617395701478264274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmuNIfHx0Y7qKOjGsEHqHOK8MbnSGMFjYw48ZveTECeQ5rF0s7xtJ0-9IIuGP83ExoAA1qy7VRl_5mIOsovM60BfwbcQqskjDp5ObZAkqOKGtvTLa3s2vf5w2UbrSJr-BM4bhMpD7ZJs/s320/Kestrel+2_s.jpg" /><p align="center"></a>Krazy with a K<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhze73g7iwGBqneE0z0l8g0QSjsv1mXM8zmi8f2ctfobO6-16vFbUGhSUqNTvwuvsvFM96xF6BVoRYsZm6uzn9Qef5dLbN4SmAVXVhleeUQVQDGZq-3xVtuT0gHB8vStycmyQtxPtsXP3g/s1600/Kestrel+3_s.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617394738713968146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhze73g7iwGBqneE0z0l8g0QSjsv1mXM8zmi8f2ctfobO6-16vFbUGhSUqNTvwuvsvFM96xF6BVoRYsZm6uzn9Qef5dLbN4SmAVXVhleeUQVQDGZq-3xVtuT0gHB8vStycmyQtxPtsXP3g/s320/Kestrel+3_s.jpg" /><p align="center"></a>Feel the pain<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKMNg7opzOtpBL0ktg-g9f0H0CV-9Q6tEhec2bOqZOlU_W1zpW8UUu6GD_WZq3i2N7V5JQ1wEyU9GCGL9aiUuBHWom84ZUzitk-_MiAGhJGadF5dZiVr9TWqRvVGOl57PvTSCUJfAehk/s1600/Bee_s.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617393796576065794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKMNg7opzOtpBL0ktg-g9f0H0CV-9Q6tEhec2bOqZOlU_W1zpW8UUu6GD_WZq3i2N7V5JQ1wEyU9GCGL9aiUuBHWom84ZUzitk-_MiAGhJGadF5dZiVr9TWqRvVGOl57PvTSCUJfAehk/s320/Bee_s.jpg" /><p align="center"></a>Our new line of insect houses<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdAqb95mys4wS_Bvw0pVQWcGVFa7X007TvECVdSv-0u_Y7-TxoK8QGewOrfzjwR-CkuKIthZRg38D7OvnMzdb5gOCM0ICYR_3Lrh9RXT0vHS9_Lcv8nvCvcTXrzKqpN-VjePm78wIOE8/s1600/Pied+Flycatcher_s.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617393790936343618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdAqb95mys4wS_Bvw0pVQWcGVFa7X007TvECVdSv-0u_Y7-TxoK8QGewOrfzjwR-CkuKIthZRg38D7OvnMzdb5gOCM0ICYR_3Lrh9RXT0vHS9_Lcv8nvCvcTXrzKqpN-VjePm78wIOE8/s320/Pied+Flycatcher_s.jpg" /><p align="center"></a>Makes all the Blue Tits worth while<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7b52HQxb1bPjvle6LV4FV_Qz4JcWKNz_dcM44Y9ud_yYxBfFmIwdGift9tdy9I9rs88vM8uQb2mfmDu9apVlln954FobnIliHd93ntsqosgq_7dHIQBYVVzR0d1uvfpGyju-7O_t0YTk/s1600/Woodcock+Eggs_s.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617393063735460866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7b52HQxb1bPjvle6LV4FV_Qz4JcWKNz_dcM44Y9ud_yYxBfFmIwdGift9tdy9I9rs88vM8uQb2mfmDu9apVlln954FobnIliHd93ntsqosgq_7dHIQBYVVzR0d1uvfpGyju-7O_t0YTk/s320/Woodcock+Eggs_s.jpg" /><p align="center"></a>Slim chance of ringing these<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2cfCnCsS-S6DyC46X-JVKns_PlyT55SXbmJKex5cjSnYqcz71JYt2CaeP-ali2gd52UTaAsipPsLb5jicYry6FFd6DlyckqtZmvJDyUT6WLVzrwE8W214pOaJL4HkzalGK6kT-AF8fs/s1600/Barn+Owl_s.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617393056497992450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2cfCnCsS-S6DyC46X-JVKns_PlyT55SXbmJKex5cjSnYqcz71JYt2CaeP-ali2gd52UTaAsipPsLb5jicYry6FFd6DlyckqtZmvJDyUT6WLVzrwE8W214pOaJL4HkzalGK6kT-AF8fs/s320/Barn+Owl_s.jpg" /><p align="center"></a>How can you fall in love with this?<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTK3AW-26pQdwyfPGlzNBmqdpKgiAABUXUDGOtVGev5-dcC6LdvQ80lNqUueYrUWYuJdk1_hdiVwGT0EgqopCybhLOU5Bfg3ug-MYZz5ONH_lLZo8GO3SPX6qDxkQRs9sibNJciQKFp0/s1600/Box_s.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617393051427938306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTK3AW-26pQdwyfPGlzNBmqdpKgiAABUXUDGOtVGev5-dcC6LdvQ80lNqUueYrUWYuJdk1_hdiVwGT0EgqopCybhLOU5Bfg3ug-MYZz5ONH_lLZo8GO3SPX6qDxkQRs9sibNJciQKFp0/s320/Box_s.jpg" /><p align="center"></a>The best of neighbours<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64y8_pQDPjJ8B1NZXUaYh2CXRTgeEDjOeuPTtgHNt4mtUgU2ztGZZIfDx_YuwYc7_UP3WVVAD826yNbIRe8U39VyNpoL9ODofl14q4EROfV3fMaSRJ7-EnlTgELow_YsPy68aRXVGe3Q/s1600/Red+Kite_s.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617393041257906002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64y8_pQDPjJ8B1NZXUaYh2CXRTgeEDjOeuPTtgHNt4mtUgU2ztGZZIfDx_YuwYc7_UP3WVVAD826yNbIRe8U39VyNpoL9ODofl14q4EROfV3fMaSRJ7-EnlTgELow_YsPy68aRXVGe3Q/s320/Red+Kite_s.jpg" /><p align="center"></a>Seeing red<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeorlY0Q9qhzTOok7l-G5LLU8yXTpenoOsCdVQ2dE5XECVvBmtvk_qMl2Lvv_pAq_23J7hEAUfcflGOn_GzIoNQ6Eoxg7EzT4AhcETU7cFbcxM1humm6wQxZtVdne7mAHPLslYC8Zjp0/s1600/Buzzard_s.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617393038648270994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeorlY0Q9qhzTOok7l-G5LLU8yXTpenoOsCdVQ2dE5XECVvBmtvk_qMl2Lvv_pAq_23J7hEAUfcflGOn_GzIoNQ6Eoxg7EzT4AhcETU7cFbcxM1humm6wQxZtVdne7mAHPLslYC8Zjp0/s320/Buzzard_s.jpg" /><p align="center"></a>This one had some buzz about it </p><p align="left">With thanks to Pete, Colin, Andy, Kane, the climbers, and everybody else that came along too.</p>Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-53436888850458462062011-06-10T08:10:00.007+01:002011-06-10T08:21:30.303+01:00Return of the NightjarWith the exception of a brief churr last year, Nightjar have been absent from our area for a number of years. But this year, a small number are back in the Washburn Valley. Both male and female have been sighted so hopefully we’ll have a breeding pair. On this occasion it was the male that was ringed.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616485624520816466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxcZ2lCYPgC5FkyOIKCUkQlTq-Ia6EuM3ioYlVzoTt8vyKnt6FGoJzOqMpmrUq4MKAyZMDlgPEXNZzijhGN-gwK3TdktGEMZEFAmgzOSYtuNu7FEQ7TkL0rFchSepxvA5rlZ10pk9b-I/s320/Nightjar2.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616485618040729394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-gCvB2vRTaWMqs1Byfg7w9pSdCR9vLvhrICB0S9K2N3cnGlXUOqJSCT67831ZKyBd15sKLIW77qQ-tT1yOjG8n5MqD9ik2-zTzqg4xeOQvFvc8hH3exK9OKYK1TCaCZPKEjOMa4IBx4/s320/Nightjar1_Small.jpg" /><div align="center"><em>Nightjars are back</em></div>Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-57774501796117214912011-05-30T22:08:00.003+01:002011-05-30T22:16:14.352+01:00Long-eared Owl pulli<div align="left">It’s looking like the Long-eared Owls have bred at very different times depending on the location this year so while we some pulli are now fledged other potential parents are wing clapping and still to breed so this means we’ve probably missed a few this year. However, on Wednesday I did manage to ring my first Long-eared Owl pulli of the year – Its brother/ sister had already fledged and could be heard in trees close by.<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612619402949975794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvWVDXXC2naZJDDxUNUAGMqKAg-zQZIpNW4YePic520nmMUzHn3CsTXixuAEfeT-4imATtHDh3LHSDzFubmOwFsn5tT2Lru2PDZWK59L33hig8Kw2Ste5iRRrsLAVIcW2BTqWeY2a10I/s320/LEO_Hoodstorth_Blog.jpg" /><br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><em>Long-eared Owl ringed on 26 May 2011</em></p>Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-66604528122157605162011-05-01T07:47:00.003+01:002011-05-01T07:51:08.951+01:00Barn Owl bonanza<div align="left">On Friday I was out with Andy and Adrian checking a few more Barn Owl boxes. After the harsh winter we weren’t expecting much but it felt like there were Barn Owls everywhere we looked. With boxes still to check we’re up to eight pairs confirmed with most on five eggs. Four Barn Owls were ringed yesterday and there were two retraps – one female in the same box for the third year and another female that’s moved a couple of miles since being ringed last year.<br /><br />In addition there were three sites with Kestrels all on five eggs and a Stock Dove.<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601636127199633138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTYiA0byz8pGd4na9Gx05b0-ne1XRzspfxNVeC2wkFLkb2cScwVmcL3Z4FKH-I2i72T-ATt5Zona1xb8FMmrajPrcC7rF2p91vWc7Sk9J9y4QvrzzMCwc-7rhSI-5bMG-076thIyC1H8/s320/2011-04-29+Kestrel+002+Blog.jpg" /> <br /><p align="center"><br /><em>Kestrel - Ringed on 29 April 2011</em></p>Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-57441716519557614872011-03-19T21:32:00.002+00:002011-03-19T21:38:33.989+00:00A proper birdOur first Chiffchaff of the year today.<br /><br />39 New birds and (20) retraps - Yellowhammer 31 (5), Reed Bunting 3 (6), Chaffinch 2, Robin 1, Treesparrow 1, Chiffchaff 1, Dunnock (6), Goldfinch (2), Marsh Tit (1).Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-63155120153107985472011-03-13T20:00:00.001+00:002011-03-14T09:57:36.484+00:00A day of two halvesI was optimistic for more Yellowhammers at Bishop Monkton this morning. But, with it looking like rain when I got there only one net was opened - Ten minutes later it was shut again. Breakfast was had, the feeders were topped up and I was back home by nine.<br /><br />1 New bird and (1) retrap – Yellowhammer 1, Reed Bunting (1).<br /><br />The afternoon brought a dramatic change in the weather with some glorious sunshine. I joined Andy and others in Wharfedale to put a net up for the Fieldfare we’d seen coming into roost earlier in the week. A nice little catch was had but numbers were nowhere near what we were getting in the Autumn.<br /><br />8 New birds – Lesser Redpoll 4, Fieldfare 2, Robin 1, Goldcrest 1.Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-74917605130152587292011-03-11T20:00:00.001+00:002011-03-14T09:54:50.107+00:00Barn Owl checkAfter a tip-off of a Barn Owl regularly taking food into a derelict building, Andy and I decided to give the building a quick check. Just the one Barn Owl in the eaves when we got there but loads of pellets and potential nesting spots so we’ll be keeping a close eye on this place.<br /><br />While we there we also gave a nearby successful box from last year a quick check. The female Barn Owl from last year was home and the squirrels had been busy stuffing the box with sticks over the winter so we removed these to give the Barn Owl enough space to breed.Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-28012101778346455782011-03-06T20:00:00.000+00:002011-03-07T10:17:58.617+00:00Here comes the sunWhat a change in the weather compared to Thursday – It felt very spring like today. Nets opened in front of the grain feeders and nets I’ve recently inherited inspected and repaired between net rounds.<br /><br />23 New birds and (12) retraps – Yellowhammer 16(9), Reed Bunting 3(1), Dunnock 1(1), Great Tit 1, Long-tailed Tit 1, Blue Tit 1, Tree Sparrow (1).Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-80927260687436520272011-03-03T20:37:00.001+00:002011-03-03T20:40:07.824+00:00Hammer drillIt was a bitterly cold today. I opened the nets with Chris and three of his students - They came with the hope of ringing a few Yellowhammers and that’s what they got.<br /><br />55 New birds and (20) retraps – Yellowhammer 40(5), Reed Bunting 2(5), Goldfinch 2(4), Chaffinch 3(1), Tree Sparrow 2(1), Great Tit 3, Blue Tit 2, Treecreeper 1, Dunnock (3), Song Thrush (1).Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-74629905746326718112011-03-02T07:45:00.001+00:002011-03-02T07:45:55.559+00:00Stop... Hammer time!With my newly found ‘c’ permit freedom, I’ve been making the most of the glimpses of spring this week to net in front of corn feeders at Bishop Monkton and over in Wharfedale. We’re attracting a healthy number of Yellowhammers at Bishop Monkton with flocks into treble figures. We’re also sighting a Barn Owl every time we’re down there – On Thursday afternoon there were great views of it hunting for over 2 hours.<br /><br />Once again, many thanks to all those who have given up their time to help me gain my ‘c’ permit – particularly Dave and Andy with whom I’ve clocked up over 100 ringing sessions so far.<br /><br />24 New birds and (10) retraps – Yellowhammer 9(2), Reed Bunting 6(3), Goldfinch 3(2), Brambling 2, Blue Tit 2, Tree Sparrow 1(1), Great Tit 1, Dunnock (2).Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761886726073783346.post-53151249721585950852011-02-21T20:20:00.002+00:002011-02-21T20:22:53.555+00:00Double summertimeGreat, an extra hour to wait before the Swallows roost, the Owls hoot and the Nightjar churr.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12523164">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12523164</a>Bishop Monkton Birdershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03968809582871856979noreply@blogger.com0