Roudsea Woods and Mosses 28 October 2089

Present: JAF

A good morning with 63 birds of 11 species processed.
The 54 new birds were: Great Spotted Woodpecker 1; Coal Tit 6; Blue Tit 6; Great Tit 1; Chaffinch 10; Redpoll 21; Bullfinch 1; Reed Bunting 7.
(The other species processed were Robin and Marsh Tit).

The day marked the inauguration of a new ride "Quarry Ride" which is cut for three 60-footers in line. Today, just one net was deployed that caught the Redpolls, Reed Buntings and Bullfinch.

Behind the "Hut". This site is sheltered from the wind and is shady and the
Natural England staff regularly put out food during the winter,
thus making this a very handy site at short notice

"Quarry Ride" had its Maiden Session this morning, doing well by catching some 30 birds

Wreakes Moss 27 November 2009

Present: JAF

A brief maintenance visit, 6 birds processed, 1 new Great Spotted Woodpecker and 5 recent local retraps.

Wreakes Moss 21 November 2009

Present: JAF

A good catch under the conditions, 31 birds processed, 27 new birds, 4 recent local retraps.

New birds: Wren 1; Coal Tit 2; Blue Tit 14; Great Tit 5; Chaffinch 3; Redpoll 2.

Rain stopped play at 10.15

The very small proportion of retraps suggests a high turnover rate of birds at this site, it is possible they are on the move along the Duddon Valley.

Wreakes Moss by Google Earth. The feeding station and ringing site
is just inside the corner of the wood where indicated.

Roudsea Woods and Mosses 17 November 2009

Present: JAF

Mainly a maintenance visit, but a net in the Gully caught 13 new birds and 1 recent local retrap.

New birds: Goldcrest 4; Blue Tit 5; Great Tit 1; Redpoll 3.

A brief burst from the iPod attracted these four Goldcrests

Roudsea Woods and Mosses 15 November 2009

JAF and CIF

A rather murky morning at Roudsea resulted in 21 birds processed, 8 new and 13 local retraps, until rain stopped play at 10.30.

New birds: Marsh Tit 1; Coal Tit 3; Blue Tit 3; Great Tit 1.

1 Mute Swan was ringed later at Ulverston

Visitor Carwyn tops up the 01229-designed grain silo.
The chicken wire deters grey squirrels but allow access to small birds.

Another new Marsh Tit is colour ringed and joins the R.A.S.
study population (see Side Bar)

A stop at the Ulverston Canal results in an immature Mute Swan ringed

Eskmeals (unusual birds, this site).

Present JS ; MW ; AM ; KH

This Tawny Owl was flying around in broad daylight and appeared fully fit.

Kestrels are rarely caught; this was included to show the moult

Grey Wagtails, another bird that we don't normally see in this dune system

Wreakes Moss 12 November 2009

Present JAF

25 birds processed, 22 new, 3 recent local retraps.

New birds: Great Spotted Woodpecker 1; Robin 1; Coal Tit 3; Blue Tit 2; Great Tit 11; Chaffinch 2; Redpoll 2.

Ringing station at Wreakes Moss. A plank nailed firmly to the fallen tree
makes a satisfactory ringing table

Walney Golf Course, 11 November 2009

Present JAF and KH

The ringing site near Walney Golf Course with wetland and willow scrub habitat

26 birds caught, 21 new birds, 4 local retraps, 1 control (a blackbird with a Heligoland ring).

New birds: Wren 7; Dunnock 1; Robin 1; Blackbird 2; Long-tailed Tit 6; Blue Tit 2; Chaffinch 2.

Female Blackbird carrying a Heligoland ring

Askam Pier 9th November 2009

Present KH and JS

A Twite in the hand is worth two on the salt marsh. Five hours of patience was rewarded with no birds being caught. Nine were under the net, but we wanted more. Later six were under the net, but we wanted more.Late in the day three could have been caught if they were just a little closer to the middle of the net.

Bungees taught and optimism high

Net flying perfectly over birdless catching area

Roudsea Woods and Mosses 09 November 2009

Present: JAF

This visit was mainly for ride maintenance and filling up feeding stations.
The "Redpoll Net" meanwhile caught 3 Redpolls and a Song Thrush. The Redpoll bonanza seems to be over.

First winter Song Thrush

A clear moult limit in the coverts indicate a first-winter bird