2010 Totals for Bishop Monkton

With wet and windy weather over the past week I’ve found the time to get that last bit of data into IPMR and update our website. It’s been a busy and rewarding year with 3065 birds ringed across 52 species at our sites. If you're interested in the detail including species lists, monthly totals and recoveries then please visit our website:

http://bishopmonktonbirders.co.uk/index.html

Bishop Monkton Ings

A flying start to the New Year

I was away doing the relatives thing but some of the team did get out and they had a great start to the New Year. They made a significant dent in the 60 strong flock of Yellowhammers that are frequenting our feeders and they also ringed Mistle Thrush which is a new species for the site - With records going back nearly 30 years a rare event!

64 New birds and (12) retraps – Blackbird (1), Blue Tit 9, Brambling 1, Chaffinch 1, Fieldfare 5, Goldfinch 1, Great Tit 3(1), Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Marsh Tit 1, Mistle Thrush 1, Redwing (1) Reed Bunting 8(3), Robin (1), Tree Sparrow 3, Yellowhammer 31(1).

Mince pie burn

With the harsh weather and with me being away we’d not ringed for a while so it was good to get out for a couple of hours this afternoon for our final ringing session of the year.

19 New birds and (10) retraps – Blackbird 1(1), Chaffinch 4, Dunnock 1(6), Reed Bunting 3(1), Robin (1), Treecreeper (1), Yellowhammer 10.

Warmest spring ever

On 24 November I flew out of Britain to spend a month in New Zealand birding, kayaking, hill walking and visiting friends. While Britain is once again gripped in snow chaos New Zealand on the other hand is experiencing one of its warmest springs ever - Since I've been here it's hit +30 degrees most days!

So far I've seen 51 species of birds. Some familiar many not and where they are familiar there's loads of them - Yellowhammers are everywhere which makes a change from the odd one or two we see back home.

Some of the Kea I've seen are ringed. They're a bit like the monkeys in Gibraltar - Turn your back and they're in your rucksack! I've also seen a Red-billed Gull that was colour ringed.

Kea in the Mountains

Bling

Natasha and I joined Andy for a spot of roost ringing on this chilly evening with Fieldfare being the target species - Several hundred came into roost and we managed to pick off another seven. An added bonus were seven Brambling caught when a small flock passed through. Brambling are a stunning bird and were another ringing tick for me.

20 New birds ringed – Brambling 7, Fieldfare 7, Bullfinch 2, Goldcrest 2, Siskin 1, Lesser Redpoll 1.

A misty Halloween

The glorious sunshine forecast turned out to be mist with the occasional light shower here in Wharfedale. Between showers we managed to ring a few birds this evening but were a little disappointed given the potential – These Fieldfare are proving tricky to catch!

8 New birds ringed – Redwing 5, Fieldfare 2, Bullfinch 1.

Fieldfare good times

I met up with Andy and Iain this evening with Redwing and Long-eared Owl the target species. The plan soon changed when hundreds of Fieldfare came into roost. To be honest, we weren’t best set up net wise to catch them but we did manage a few so Svensson came out and it was a ringing tick for me. Back there tomorrow so hopefully we’ll get a few more and the odd owl would round Halloween of nicely twoo.

Fieldfare - Ringed on 30 October 2010

23 New birds ringed – Fieldfare 7, Redwing 10, Lesser Redpoll 5, Siskin 1.