Marsh Tit R.A.S. in Roudsea Wood

Present KH, RG and CG.

The group has decided to continue the work that Jim Fowler had been doing over the last 6 years on  a Marsh Tit RAS in Roudsea Woods (to see location see link below).  We colour ringed 3 Marsh Tits and had the following bye-catch, re-traps in brackets.

Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Wren 1, Marsh Tit 3, Coal Tit 10(3), Blue Tit 10(2), Great Tit 10(2), Chaffinch 4, Greenfinch1.   

White Ring Being Placed Over Carmine - Marsh Tit.

Marsh Tit - Typical Ring Combinations

Bullfinch R.A.S. Kick-off

This last weekend the 15th and 16th of October different members were active on different days at Eskmeals.  JS,  MW,  RG, CG,  LH and KH.  123 birds of 15 species  were processed.  They were as follows, re-traps in brackets.   Sparrowhawk 1, Wren 3(1), Dunnock 4(2), Robin 3(1), Blackbird 10(1), Song Thrush 5, Blackcap 10, Chiffchaff 2, Goldcrest 9, Long-tailed Tit 2(1), Coal Tit 7(6), Blue Tit 12(4), Great Tit 3(2), Chaffinch 7, Bullfinch 22(3). 

A tape lure was used successfully to increase Bullfinch numbers as the group is attempting a RAS.  The first colour combination used was Violet over Violet Left Leg with Violet over metal Right Leg The ring was placed on a  female so you can guess what she will be called, if we see her again. 

First Male Colour Ringed Bullfinch

September Ringing Totals and Colour Flagged Tunstone

The group totals for September were lower than average  due to the weather and holidays  They were as follows with retraps shown (**) : Wren 2, Dunnock 5(4), Robin 11(1), Blackbird 2(1), Song Thrush 1, Blackcap 5, Chiffchaff 8, Goldcrest 13, Long-tailed Tit (2), Coal Tit 3 (3), Blue Tit 11 (4), Great Tit 2 (2), Chaffinch 5, Greenfinch 2, Bullfinch 19 (1).

A Ruddy Turnstone was seen on 23/03/2011 at one of our ringing sites (Foulney Island) .  The white flag, it probably had another on its other leg, indicates it was ringed in Autumn 1994 at Nunavut, Ellesmere Island CANADA.  We saw another on Foulney in 2007 and I would strongly suggest that this is the same bird.

If you wish to see where Ellesmere Island is click on the location below the comments

Photograph  K Hindmarch

Photograph  K Hindmarch

Isle of May Trip

Present MW, RG, CG, LH, KH and (Mike Easton, Temporary Member).

This trip which some of the team take annually is very weather dependant.  The most successful ones being with some Easterly wind during the week.  Everyone enjoyed the week of hot weather but Southerly winds.  It was so hot at one stage I cooked my camera taking Gannet photographs, just as they were getting closer. Only 140+ birds were ringed and the winter thrushes arrived as we were leaving.  Further photographs will be posted on my other blog.

Colin,Maynall,Ken, Linda and Rosalyn towards end of the week

Determined to do Better Next Year

This Spotted Flycatcher gave one Person Identification Problems

Our Constant Companions Unless You Were Carrying A Camera