Saturday, March 2, 2013

Norway Bound

Maybe the blog’s been a little repetitive lately, all the same old stuff for weeks on end, Chaffinches, Bramblings and Goldfinches, together with a glut of Reed Buntings to vary the diet of finches. Well that’s how winter is around here, slogging away at the regular stuff out Rawcliffe way until March and April when the excitement suddenly switches to birds arriving from Africa. 

Today proved much the same but held a welcome surprise together with thoughts that a number of the birds I caught held secrets I could only guess at. 

Lighter mornings now mean earlier starts so I was there at 0630 with nets up soon after, followed by a four hour session which yielded 22 new birds with 4 recaptures and to add to the Goldfinch control of Thursday, a further “control” in the shape of a Norwegian ringed Brambling. New birds: 6 Goldfinch, 6 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Fieldfare. Recaptures: 2 Goldfinch, 1 Chaffinch and 1 Brambling. 

The Brambling recapture had been ringed here 6th December 2012, so was clearly a wintering bird which joined in with the sometimes huge Chaffinch flocks hereabouts since December of last year. 

A fine looking male Brambling I took from one net looked to have a large, dull, possibly foreign ring on its right leg. On closer inspection the ring, ED78766 bore a Stavanger, Norway address. This adult bird must have been ringed in Norway in 2011 or earlier and journeyed south to the UK or elsewhere in the winter of 2011/2012 and now the winter of 2012/2013. Any day now it will surely be heading back to Norway or beyond to spend another summer. The record of today’s capture will be sent to the BTO at the month end with the original ringing details following on in due course. 

ED78766

Brambling

Two Fieldfares were caught at first light as they exited a roost situated in the dense woodland north of my ringing area. Fieldfares winter here in the UK too with similar times of arrival from Northern Europe and Scandinavia as the Bramblings, as well as comparable times of heading back that way. Very soon we say goodbye to Bramblings and Fieldfares until November. This last week I’ve caught a few good sized Chaffinches, males over 90mm and females 86/87mm wing lengths, all suggestive of European or Scandinavian origin. 

Fieldfare

Chaffinch

Six new Goldfinches today to add to recent ones is very indicative of the species returning north and probably the aforementioned control of Thursday D137544 .

Goldfinch

Counts and observations from birding today: Barn Owl at dawn, 18 Redwing, 12 Fieldfare, 3 Buzzard, 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, 20 Corn Bunting, 19 Yellowhammer, 130 Chaffinch, 2 Curlew, 2 Mistle Thrush. 

Kestrel

There’s more news and views soon from Another Bird Blog - log in again to stay in touch with the world of birds. This post is also linking to Madge's Weekly Top Shot   and to Anni at I'd Rather Be Birding.

16 comments:

Gail Dixon said...

Wow, a bird Ll the way from Norway! How exciting. I really must get involved in the banding (ringing) process. Lovely images, as always!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

How amazing! I guess I sort of knew that birds migrated that far, but to read it and think of you holding that bird makes it very real.

I can't imagine being tired of reading your posts. There's always something new I learn (and of course none of your birds..or almost none ... are ones I've ever seen.

Unknown said...

I'll have a pound on Lista as a 3!

Unknown said...

A quality control capture, nice one!

Mary Howell Cromer said...

That was an amazing find with the bird from Norway Phil. Oh if we could ever just take upon wing and travel as the birds do. For those whom have no appreciation, surely they would appreciate them then...maybe...
I am so thankful that I do.

grammie g said...

Hey Phil...well ring-a-ding you got yourself a hot one, that made your day huh!!Interesting tracking a birds travels!!
Days are getting longer , and soon the time change will come,and you will be all messed up, but those bird have there own time so you will have to adjust your schedule!! ; )
So you saw my Blue Jay post, what did you think about his beak, do you see any beaks like that??
It is almost time for me to turn into pumpkin so I best get to bed, while your heading out to trap those poor little birdies ; )
Your bird geek friend USA
Grace

eileeninmd said...

Phil, it is nice to see Brambling all the way from Norway. Awesome photos, I am still amazed you can hold them with one hand and take such great shots. Happy Birding and have a great week!

Unknown said...

Still impressed with the colours on these little guys. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Anni said...

To me, when it comes to birds/birding there is absolutely no such thing as repetition. They're all beautiful in their own way, and your blog shares are always so very interesting and the photos super.

TheChieftess said...

wonderful shots!!! I love the close ups!!!

theconstantwalker said...

A wonderful post.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for coming by sharing your creative photography on Weekly Top Shot #72!

Stuart Price said...

Norway eh?

Ringing really gives another dimension to birding, making even quiet days with common species worthwhile......

Jenn Jilks said...

It is fun to track them, isn't it?!
Cheers from Cottage Country!

Wally Jones said...

As you can tell from the nice comments you've been receiving, although your blog may seem "repetitive" to you, the rest of the world finds each report fascinating! I know I do.

Thank you so much for sharing it all with us!

Great catch on the visitor from Norway!

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

How wonderful to find a ring from Norway :) Beautiful photos, as always!

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