Perfect Conditions, But Very Few Birds, 3rd January 2009

This morning the conditions for mist netting were absolutely perfect; overcast and flat calm. However, the birds weren't playing ball and Craig and I only ringed 13 birds at Moss House Farm. However it did include the cracking Fieldfare pictured below.


It was very difficult to assess properly the number of Tree Sparrows at the feeding station because of the effect of the mist nets, but I have a figure of 40 in my notebook that seems just about right. Other finches and buntings were in good numbers and the Yellowhammers had increased again today to 8. The usual flock of 40 Linnets were mobile and a walk along the 'Reed Bunting ditch' revealed 21 Reed Bunts. Only 2 Corn Buntings were perched on the telegraph wires sometimes joining the Starlings and Fieldfares.

Woodpigeons were again feeding in large numbers on the unharvested Oats to the west of Moss House Farm and today numbered 4,000. When they took off the noise from their wing beats was incredible. A few Fieldfares, 21, flew into the hedge by the feeding station to feed on rose hips in the hedge and apples on the track. The only raptors were Buzzard and Kestrel, whilst 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers brought the morning to a close.

On the way home I had a look on the River Wyre at Town End and added a few birds to my year list including Green Sandpiper, a pair of Goosanders and 2 Ravens.

Year list = 44