Still Green

Huw and I ventured forth to the obs this morning and just before first light there was quite a dense fog and we thought that would put the mockers on any passage. However, as the sun got up the fog cleared leaving clear skies and virtually calm conditions.

A few birds were on vis this morning including two Redwings, 128 Meadow Pipits, two Song Thrushes, four Alba Wags, four Chaffinches, six Siskins, 46 Greenfinches, 133 Jackdaws, eight Carrion Crows, a Brambling, a Reed Bunting, a Grey Wagtail and four Skylarks.

Grounded birds were restricted to four Long-tailed Tits, a Song Thrush, a Short-eared Owl, a Goldcrest, seven Blackbirds and a Jay. The 'Shortie' spent part of the morning hunting over the fields that are usually cut for haylage, but haven't this year, so are probably full of small mammals.

The only raptors we had this morning were a single Kestrel and two Sparrowhawks. Pink-footed Geese numbers steadily built up during the morning and at least 520 dropped in to feed on farm fields across the road. 

From a ringing perspective we still very much 'green' because we had another good catch of Greenfinches. We ringed 45 birds as follows (recaptures in brackets):

Blackbird - 4
Goldcrest - 1
Meadow Pipit - 8
Greenfinch - 31
Blue Tit - 1
Robin - (1)
Dunnock - (1)

It's remaining easterly into next week so I will make sure that I get out birding for a morning or three!