Tyto

I mentioned in my last post that I would have news of some Barn Owls, and I do. A few days ago, Alice and I met Robert and Diana at their farm to ring a brood of two chicks from a box in their barn. A couple of years ago Robert fitted a camera inside the box, and it has proved invaluable to see what has been going on inside the box, and also to know exactly when to go up to the box to ring the chicks. 

 

Barn Owl
 

Two healthy chicks were ringed, and they looked to be about 25 days old based upon the development of their primaries.

At the start of the week, Gail and I headed to the Nature Park to clear the three net rides in readiness for the autumn migration season, and yes, it is now autumn in the bird world! 

 

Above is one of the net rides before clearing, and below

after we had cleared it

 

 

I haven't got anything much to report from a birding perspective, as we were busy with loppers and hedge trimmers, but next to net one a Garden Warbler was singing, a Cetti's Warbler was giving its explosive song from some reed-scrub, a Whitethroat was singing as well, and there seemed to be quite a few Goldfinches about. We just need some weather now to get a ringing session in. At the moment there's half a chance this Sunday, but a better chance on Monday, then again, it could easily change! I'll keep you posted. 

Over on the right you will see that I have updated the ringng totals for Fylde Ringing Group up until the end of June. Seven new species for the year were ringed in June, and these were Sand Martin, House Martin, Oystercatcher, Kestrel, Barn Owl, Swallow and Curlew. 

Below you will find details of the top 3 species ringed in June, and the top 10 'movers and shakers' for the year.

Top 3 Ringed in June

1. Sand Martin - 105

2. Pied Flycatcher - 24

3. Kestrel - 14

Top 10 Movers and Shakers

1. Sand Martin - 105 (straight in)

2. Blue Tit - 86 (down from 1st)

3. Great Tit - 72 (down from 2nd)

4. Pied Flycatcher - 26 (straight in)

5. Tree Sparrow - 20 (down from 3rd)

    Chaffinch - 20 (down from 3rd)

7. Blackbird - 18 (down from 5th)

    Goldfinch - 18 (down from 5th)

9. Reed Bunting - 15 (down from 7th)

    Willow Warbler - 15 (down from 8th)