There’s rain and wind forecast for several days ahead. Chances were that this morning might be the only weather window for a spot of ringing so I met with Andy at Oakenclough at first light. Heavy cloud greeted us and while for the next fours there was no rain there was also little in the way of visible migration with blocking cloud in all directions.
A quiet session of ringing produced just 19 birds, below par for this site. 6 Goldfinch, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Coal Tit, 2 Siskin, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Fieldfare and 1 Blackbird.
Visible migration proved to be equally quiet with a single flock of Fieldfares this morning when 50+ birds arrived from the north. Just one first year male found the nets before the pack of thrushes moved quickly through the site and left to the south. Otherwise we saw less than 10 more Fieldfares until midday. After catching about 60 Redwings in the past two weeks the species was conspicuous by its absence this morning with less than 10 seen. Blackbirds were more in evidence with 16+ in the area and a single “Continental” type male finding the net. The two Siskins were both males, one an adult the other a first year.
Fieldfare
Siskin - adult male
Siskin - first year male
Chaffinches and Bramblings were on the move with 70+ Chaffinches over in several small flocks and 3+ Bramblings among them. Luckily the Bramblings made several calls as they arrived with their cousins as otherwise and in the poor light we may not have seen them.
A flock of 40+ Goldfinches were/are local birds with the 6 caught including two recaptures.
Other sightings included a male Sparrowhawk, Great-spotted Woodpecker and Pied Wagtail.
There was visible migration of Woodpigeons with several flocks overhead and travelling rapidly south, about 120 in total. Later as I drove home via Out Rawcliffe I noted several hundred Wood Pigeons feeding in a single stubble field. Also, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel along Lancaster Road at Pilling.
While the forecast rain may limit any ringing for a day or two there will be some birding to report so log in soon for more news and views.
Linking today to Anni's Birding and Eileen's Saturday.
Linking today to Anni's Birding and Eileen's Saturday.
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20 comments:
Phil, I love the colours on the adult male siskin! What a sweet little face, too!
Maybe not the best weather, maybe not the best conditions, but any time spent birding is a great experience anyway.
We are expecting rain tonight/tomorrow too. I hope you goes by quickly. I love your beautiful Siskin. Happy birding, enjoy your week ahead!
the close up of the Siskin is fabulous
Hello!:) Lovely to see the birds up close and the pretty Siskins, especially the male with the brighter plumagem.
Love the close up of the Siskin!!
We are to have rainy weather also...a couple of storms out in the Gulf is to bring in moisture here on the coast. But, the nice part of the forecast, is COOLER weather temps.
Hello Phil, I am just stopping back to say thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!
I looked up the Dutch name for siskin, which is 'sijsje'. It's a wonderful and colourful bird.
Enjoy your weekend.
We are just at the end of some wind and rain. Yep gotta get out when you can! The siskins are quite yellow!
Beautiful birds!
Have a great week-end!
Lea
Once again, it's good to get out even in poor weather than stay inside. I'm wondering if migration usually slows about this time of year in your area or if you will continue to see numbers of birds for awhile?
The colorful Siskin is hard not to like.
Here I am apologizing for my absence yet again! We took a nice vacation and managed to include a nice family reunion as well. Someday I may figure out how to adhere to a blogging schedule - but I'm not really a schedule type of person.
Hope your weather clears and you're able to go birding!
Great report, Phil. I like seeing the closeups you get from your ringing endeavors. Can't get much closer!
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great photos of the birds
The Siskin is a beautiful bird! You had a good day in spite of rain... The rainy season has started here too! Good because we need it, so I am trying not to complain.
To answer your question, that was a Scrub Jay feather in my "artsy" post. We also see Stellar .jays occasionally , they are a darker blue . But not the blue jay many bird bloggers from the Eastern states show , the one with pretty black stripes. He doesn't live on the West Coast.
Love seeing these birds in the hand - nice post.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
One doesn't often see a siskin in these blogs and he was so nice to see! Great looking day of banding!
Such cute little fellas they are. We had flocks of them in the spring but they disappeared come summer.
Hope you'll link up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/11/basilica-shrine-of-saint-mary.html
Beautiful birds and wonderful photography!
Happy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol
The bird-in-hand photos are always very special. It must seem very different in winter with all those little birds from the countryside off on migration. Of course shorebirds migrate from around here but very few of what I call "bush"birds.
That's a lovely photo of the siskin. I don't envy you going out in all weathers but I do envy the range of birds you see at close range.
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