Mega Tree Sparrow Passage!

Now before you get too excited the mega Tree Sparrow passage was just 22 birds south, but for the 'obs' it was a mega count, but more of that later. At last we had a window of opportunity this morning to get to the obs to do some ringing. The wind was forecasted to be ESE and only 5 mph, but it was nearer 10 mph! Nevertheless, nets were erected in the dark and Redwing and Fieldfare MP3s went on. The only problem with that was that there were no Thrushes on the move. It looks likely that tonight will see a big arrival over here on the west, based on the number of birds arriving in the east of the country overnight and during today.

It started off slowly this morning, but the vis got going and we had some half decent counts. Our vis totals included 34 Chaffinch, Sparrowhawk, 122 Greenfinch, 5 Siskin, 2 Crossbills, 11 Goldfinch, 12 Reed Buntings, 2 Redwings, 7 Linnets, 6 Swallows, 11 Skylarks, 2 Grey Wagtails, 4 Lesser Redpolls, 35 Alba Wagtails, 22 Tree Sparrows (mega), 295 Meadow Pipits, 3 Fieldfares and 3 Mistle Thrush.

 Chaffinch

 Greenfinch

Goldfinch

We didn't do too badly with the ringing either and ringed 53 birds as follows (recaptures in brackets):

Wren - 1
Chiffchaff - 1
Blue Tit - 3
Linnet - 3
Reed Bunting - 3
Greenfinch - 25
Blackbird - 2
Meadow Pipit - 7
Chaffinch - 4
Goldfinch - 3
Robin - 1
Dunnock - (1)

 Chiffchaff

We also controlled a Greenfinch; TK55862 anyone?

So overall not a bad mornings birding and ringing!