Swallow to Malta

Nice to see one of our Swallows controlled in Malta.

http://btoringing.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/return-of-hirundo.html

Swallow controls

On 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.

51 New birds, [2] controls and (1) retrap – Swallow 46[2], Reed Bunting 3(1), Reed Warbler 1, Sand Martin 1.

Swallow roost ringing again

A gorgeous summer’s evening with plenty of Swallows about today. Amongst a few other birds, we also caught a 3J Goldfinch in wing moult, something we see more and more these days.

Juvenile Goldfinch - Ringed on 1 September 2010

204 New birds ringed - Swallow 189, Reed Bunting 5, House Martin 2, Whitethroat 1, Sand Martin 4, Pied Wagtail 2, Goldfinch 1.

More roost ringing

We were out at the pond again targeting the Swallow roost this evening. A little slower than expected with most Swallows being caught in one hit towards the end. Good to see a young Hobby fly past on numerous occasions too.

127 New birds – Swallow 103, Sand Martin 12, Pied Wagtail 5, Sedge Warbler 4, Reed Bunting 3.

Last orders at the pond please

With high pressure now in charge we went out for a spot of Swallow roost ringing. The recent dry conditions and a lack of standing water meant a number of birds choose to visit our pond for their evening tipple, so somewhat unexpectedly we ended up ringing 14 species, this included a House Sparrow ringing tick for me and younger David.

173 New birds – Reed Bunting 5, Sand Martin 14, Dunnock 1, Great Tit 1, House Martin 2, Yellow Hammer 1, Tree Sparrow 1, Whitethroat 2, Reed Warbler 1, Sedge Warbler, Wren 1, Swallow 131, House Sparrow 9, Pied Wagtail 3.

One in a ?

After a bumper Sand Martin year at Bishop Monkton, we had high hopes for ringing a reasonable turnover of Swallows too. But, they’ve not played ball and have chosen to roost elsewhere - Vice-versa to last year!

In Wharfedale, with Andy, we’ve had more success ringing up to 100 birds in an evening. Somewhat remarkably, with about 300 Swallows caught we’ve managed to control three consecutive ring numbers. What’s the chance of this happening? It’ll be interesting to see how local we are to their ringing location.

Bishop Monkton to South Africa

I had a quick glance at the 'Demog Blog' today and one of our Swallows has been controlled in South Africa - It's like winning the lottery!

http://btoringing.blogspot.com/2010/02/south-african-swallows.html#comments