Last Ringing Session At The Feeding Session For 2014

Huw and I met at the feeding station this morning at a leisurely 0745. Huw was there before me and had Barn Owl come out of the barn as he drove past and Tawny Owl calling in the darkness from the woodland. It was calm with a ground frost, and therefore perfect for ringing.

We ringed 28 birds as follows (recaptures in brackets):

Chaffinch - 15
Tree Sparrow - 2
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 2
Starling - 5
Dunnock - 1
Blue Tit - 3 (18)
Robin - (1)
Great Tit - (3)

 Blue Tit

Just after first light small parties of Pink-footed Geese were heading south from their roost out in Morecambe Bay to their preferred feeding areas, and 2-300 Woodpigeons left their woodland roost to head to their feeding areas as well.

Raptors were represented by two Buzzards and a Kestrel, but no Sparrowhawk this morning. There was perhaps over a hundred Tree Sparrows at the feeding station and somewhere in the region of half a dozen Yellowhammers.

 Tree Sparrow

A few Thrushes were around this morning with 20 Fieldfares and ten Redwings heading backwards and forwards. Fifteen Corn Buntings on the stubbles were nice as were 18 Shelducks that flew west.

The forecast is good for the next few days so it will be birding at the Obs for me in the morning followed by some ringing in the afternoon.