Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Today’s The Day

One day a week for ringing. That’s all we get at the moment. One day without rain, wind or both. This week was Wednesday with a cold, clear and frosty start at Oakenclough where I met Andy at 0630. We were later joined by our old mate Will, now too busy with work to do a great deal of ringing. That’s his story and he’s sticking to it. 

The morning followed a similar pattern to our latest visits here, a post-dawn burst of thrushes and then little else to keep feet and fingers warm. We are now past the peak of Redwing migration and while Fieldfares are often a week or two after the passage of Redwings, this autumn’s Fieldfare migration has seemed a little thin over here on the west coast. Blackbirds were more in evidence today with “continental” types caught, up to 20 seen in total, plus a single Song Thrush. Otherwise, and in the very clear skies there was a thin passage of Chaffinches overhead with at least two definite Bramblings, their nasal calls singling them out for special attention. 

The peak numbers came about 0715 with a largish mixed flock of about 200 Redwing/Fieldfare at 30/70% respectively and which hurried through towards the west before we had time to scrutinise the flock more closely. Afterwards any newly arrived thrushes consisted of small groups or even singles of Fieldfares, Redwings or Blackbirds. In all we caught 18 birds: 5 Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 4 Coal Tit, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Lesser Redpoll and 1 Goldcrest. 

Fieldfare

Redwing

Fieldfare

Redwing
 
Lesser Redpoll

The route back home took me across Pilling/Rawcliffe Moss where 8+ Buzzards circled above a wood, 40 Fieldfares along a hedgerow and a single hovering Kestrel close by. 

At Cockerham, Gulf Lane I stopped to count the Linnets and to leave their rape/millet mix which they are yet to exploit. Here were 145 Linnet, 4 Stock Dove and 1 Stonechat. 

With luck this will be our next day and location of ringing – next Monday looks OK at the moment but these pencilled in days have a habit of changing. If the Met Office can’t predict more than 24 hours ahead what chance do we have?

Linking today to Anni's Birding and Eileen's Blog.



14 comments:

  1. Good morning Phil: At least you are able to get in a little ringing. One day a week is probably less than you would like, but you are least having decent results when you do get to open the nets.

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  2. Ah, ringing and weather are often not the best of friends! Nice to see the thrushes. I have seen a few comments about 'continental blackbirds' - what makes them different to the UK ones?

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  3. I miss Fieldfares and Redwings..........

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  4. It has been a little miserable of late.
    Loving the Redwing and Lesser Redpoll.
    Fingers crossed for better weather!

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  5. Hello Phil, I am glad you were able to do some ringing during the week. The weather can be unpredictable. Your birds and photos are all beautiful. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

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  6. Even with one day you still are able to capture so many lovely birds and varieties...Bad weather here and nothing to share this week.. hut is so grand to follow everyone's post.. Have a great new week!!!

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  7. It sounds like your week was a success! I hope the weather is good this coming week. You have an important job to do!

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  8. Hi Phil! Great photos as always! The birds always seem to be posing happily.

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  9. Hello my friend, sounds like your weather has nor been what you need for what you enjoy. At least you had one good day of ringing and aren't they such beautiful subjects too~

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  10. Thanks, as always, for sharing this post with us birders at I'd Rather B Birdin' this week!! Your participation is very much appreciated. Too bad the weather is such a hindrance. My favorite today is the close up of the fieldfare....a dazzling pattern and beautiful coloration.

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  11. Oh that Lesser Redpoll is just so cute!

    All the best Jan

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  12. Just getting back to blogging its been a while , anyway i love the photos of the birds, you capture them well.

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