Redcaps

Yesterday morning found Craig, Huw and I setting nets up at the obs on a very cold and frosty morning at first, with a hunting Barn Owl for company. As the morning progressed it got warmer but as that south-southeasterly wind picked up it was bitter for a time.

There was some visible migration but as ever it was difficult to do the counts credit whilst operating mist nets. All the following birds were heading north except for the Woodpigeons, which were heading south; 121 Woodpigeons, eight Tree Pipits, 45 Meadow Pipits, a Linnet, nine Siskins, 37 Pink-footed Geese, four Shelducks, 45 Lesser Redpolls, three Carrion Crows, a Whimbrel and three Swallows.

It was obvious that there were a few grounded migrants around, mainly in the form of phylloscs, based on the number of Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers caught plus a single Whitethroat.

The main feature of the morning from a ringing perspective were the number of Lesser Redpolls ringed and our totals for the morning were as follows (recaptures in brackets):

Willow Warbler - 6 (Ian also ringed 17 elsewhere at the obs)
Chiffchaff - 3
Lesser Redpoll - 21
Dunnock - 1 (1)
Meadow Pipit - 3
Blue Tit - 1

 Lesser Redpoll (redcap)

The warmer weather later in the morning enticed a few invertebrates out and a number of Small Tortoisehells were on the wing.