A red sky broke over the hills to the east of Oakenclough on Thursday. It was a warning we should have heeded. But after making the effort for a 6 o'clock start and all that entails, Andy and I saw little reason not to carry on. After all, just two days earlier here at Oakenclough we’d caught 45 birds including our record breaking catch of eleven Tree Pipits.
A couple of hours later we asked how two seemingly similar days could be so different in terms of both the birds around and those we caught. The differences were that Wednesday was warm and sunny with a gentle waft from the north while Thursday saw a stronger breeze, this time from the south west with cooler temperatures that demanded an extra layer of top coat for the ringers.
Nine birds was a very poor result, so pathetic that the only “A” rings required were for four Blue Tits. Otherwise a couple of juvenile “willys “and a single adult “chiff” proved the highlights of 4 Blue Tit, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Wren and 1 Dunnock.
On Friday morning I hoped for recompense by way of catching Goldfinches, a few of those suddenly returned to the garden after a major absence of several weeks. The killer cat of next door has left for pastures new, allowing me to once again use a mist net on my own property.
The morning was quite breezy but where the relatively sheltered garden meant a reasonable catch was possible. Indeed it was with 21 Goldfinch and a single Robin caught until rain returned soon after lunch.
This ratio of species is very representative of gardens in our neighbourhood where larger, shyer or perhaps cleverer birds like Jackdaw, Woodpigeon and House Sparrow stay away when a net is set. Our own Woodpigeons are still pre-occupied with "woody nookie".
The fact that I caught entirely Goldfinches of the year, some still in very juvenile plumage, displays this species’ ability to reproduce throughout the breeding season with up to three broods recorded.
The Goldfinch has enjoyed a wide population boom during recent years.
BTO - “Goldfinch abundance fell sharply from the mid-1970s until the mid-1980s, but the decline was both preceded and followed by significant population increases. The current upturn lifted the species from the amber list of conservation concern into the green category, accompanied by an increase in its use of gardens for winter feeding.
The Breeding Bird Survey map of change in relative density between 1994-96 and 2007-09 indicates that increases have occurred almost everywhere, with the exception of the far southeast. These population changes can be explained almost entirely by changes in annual survival rates, which may have resulted from a reduction in the availability of weed seeds, due to agricultural intensification, and subsequent increased use of other food sources such as garden bird tables and niger feeders; for migrants, the effects of environmental change or increased hunting pressure in France and Iberia, where the majority then wintered, may have temporarily reduced survival rates (Siriwardena et al. 1999).
There have been no clear changes in productivity as measured by Nest Records Scheme and Constant Effort Sites (ringing). The recent severe losses of Greenfinches from gardens are likely to have afforded Goldfinches far better access to provided food. A strong trend towards earlier laying may be partly explained by recent climate change (Crick & Sparks 1999).
There has been widespread moderate increase across Europe since 1980. A strong increase has been recorded in the Republic of Ireland since 1998 (Crowe 2012).”
Red Sky In The Morning
A couple of hours later we asked how two seemingly similar days could be so different in terms of both the birds around and those we caught. The differences were that Wednesday was warm and sunny with a gentle waft from the north while Thursday saw a stronger breeze, this time from the south west with cooler temperatures that demanded an extra layer of top coat for the ringers.
Nine birds was a very poor result, so pathetic that the only “A” rings required were for four Blue Tits. Otherwise a couple of juvenile “willys “and a single adult “chiff” proved the highlights of 4 Blue Tit, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Wren and 1 Dunnock.
Willow Warbler
Chiffchaff
Dunnock
On Friday morning I hoped for recompense by way of catching Goldfinches, a few of those suddenly returned to the garden after a major absence of several weeks. The killer cat of next door has left for pastures new, allowing me to once again use a mist net on my own property.
The morning was quite breezy but where the relatively sheltered garden meant a reasonable catch was possible. Indeed it was with 21 Goldfinch and a single Robin caught until rain returned soon after lunch.
This ratio of species is very representative of gardens in our neighbourhood where larger, shyer or perhaps cleverer birds like Jackdaw, Woodpigeon and House Sparrow stay away when a net is set. Our own Woodpigeons are still pre-occupied with "woody nookie".
The fact that I caught entirely Goldfinches of the year, some still in very juvenile plumage, displays this species’ ability to reproduce throughout the breeding season with up to three broods recorded.
Goldfinch
Goldfinch
The Goldfinch has enjoyed a wide population boom during recent years.
BTO - “Goldfinch abundance fell sharply from the mid-1970s until the mid-1980s, but the decline was both preceded and followed by significant population increases. The current upturn lifted the species from the amber list of conservation concern into the green category, accompanied by an increase in its use of gardens for winter feeding.
The Breeding Bird Survey map of change in relative density between 1994-96 and 2007-09 indicates that increases have occurred almost everywhere, with the exception of the far southeast. These population changes can be explained almost entirely by changes in annual survival rates, which may have resulted from a reduction in the availability of weed seeds, due to agricultural intensification, and subsequent increased use of other food sources such as garden bird tables and niger feeders; for migrants, the effects of environmental change or increased hunting pressure in France and Iberia, where the majority then wintered, may have temporarily reduced survival rates (Siriwardena et al. 1999).
There have been no clear changes in productivity as measured by Nest Records Scheme and Constant Effort Sites (ringing). The recent severe losses of Greenfinches from gardens are likely to have afforded Goldfinches far better access to provided food. A strong trend towards earlier laying may be partly explained by recent climate change (Crick & Sparks 1999).
There has been widespread moderate increase across Europe since 1980. A strong increase has been recorded in the Republic of Ireland since 1998 (Crowe 2012).”
Goldfinch - BTO/JNCC BirdTrends Report
Stay tuned to Another Bird Blog. There's more news, views and pictures soon.
Linking today with Anni's Birding and Eileen's Saturday Blog.
Linking today with Anni's Birding and Eileen's Saturday Blog.
15 comments:
Have you never heard that old piece of doggerel: Red sky at night, birder's delight. Red sky in the morning Phil Slade take warning.
Obviously not, or you decided stubbornly to ignore the wisdom of it all. But you returned home secure in the knowledge that Goldfinches are doing well. Now I must say I am really intrigued by this avian condition previously unknown to me, viz. Woodie Nookie. As far as I can ascertain it is an eminently pleasurable condition, eagerly sought after, and not only by pigeons I surmise. I have an extensive library covering all things ornithological, but I must confess that so far I have not come across this terminology. I shall renew my search, however, and no doubt I shall come to a better understanding of what is involved. Perhaps there will even be diagrams to make it all clear. As always, I am indebted to you for the promulgation of the esoteric.
Woodpigeons look so romantic...
glad to hear that population of goldfinches are increasing...
thank you for sharing beautiful photos and useful info.
Hello,
Beautiful sky capture! Your birds and photos are wonderful, I especially love the cute wood pigeons. I am glad the Goldfinch population is doing well. Thanks for sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend.
David G always has a neat comment! And I love the Goldfinches and I'm happy they are doing well! What beautiful birds...all of them!
astounded by that goldfinch as wva are bright yellows hurricane here
Awww...those pigeons!
Hooray for the goldfinches! Enjoyed your post.
Loved David's adage in the comments. You have a large piece of property, then, to set up a net ... wonderful.
Woody nookie...love that too.
Great to read about the increased numbers ...now-a-days that's so promising.
I want to send you my thanks and appreciation for joining us this week at I'd Rather B Birdin'.
Beautiful captures. . . . I always enjoy your bird close-ups.
A great series as always!
Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2019/09/a-strange-sight.html
Such a beautiful sunrise. And the "cuddling pigeons" is so tender. Thank you!! Have a wonderful week!
Good news for the goldfinches.
Lovely photos -- both of the birds and the sunrise.
Awww - so charming!
Wonderful red sky.
Did enjoy seeing all the birds and the wood pigeons are definitely cute!
All the best Jan
Post a Comment