Five-fifteen. The alarm buzzed. “What would the day bring?” With luck the forecasts had been right, so through the "office" window I checked the darkened trees for signs of sway. They looked still, while above the street light there were breaks in the ghostly cloud. I heaved a sigh of relief, prepared for the off and for the 35 minute drive up to Oakenclough. For a ringer, the anticipation, the excitement of expecting the unexpected never quite goes away.
At Okenclough it was still dark at 0630 as outer branches stirred ominously. It was more like 10-12 mph than the 6mph decreed by the experts. That 4+ mph can make a difference when birds with powerful eyesight can spot movement in the fine mesh of a mist net.
Soon after dawn Redwings arrived. We caught a few in the dark as they continued to arrive in dozens and low hundreds, mostly from the north-west. Fieldfares began to arrive a little later but not in the same numbers as Redwings and certainly not in the numbers we witnessed on Thursday. By 10 am we had caught 14 Redwings and zero Fieldfares, despite counting 900 and 300 respectively.
About 1030 it was as if someone dropped a curtain to stem the hitherto very visible migration. Birds passing through or overhead dwindled to near enough zero and it was time to pack up from what had been a disappointing catch of 14 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Long-tailed Tit.
Chiffchaff
Treecreeper
Redwing
As the figures above suggest, birds other than Redwings and Fieldfares were hard to come by. It was as if all were in a hurry to reach their unknown destination with very few stopping off in our ringing site. As earlier in the week, we noted a strong movement of Woodpigeons heading south-west – circa 550 in 3+hours.
In addition to thrushes we recorded approximately 60 Chaffinch, 20 Goldfinch, 6 “Alba” Wagtail, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Siskin, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk.
Overall we enjoyed an exhilarating week of ringing with 157 birds caught, 99% of which were involved in active migration. Every one of those birds now carries a unique ring, the data associated with each capture is held on the National database, and every one of those birds could well provide more information in the coming days, weeks and years. One already has.
A Lesser Redpoll Andy caught on Wednesday 17 October 2018, ring number ADA0166, had been ringed 364 days earlier on 18 October 2017 at Middleton, Morecambe Bay, Lancashire.
On the way home but by barely stopping I clocked up 4 Kestrels, 2 Buzzard and 1 Sparrowhawk. Also, 125 Whooper Swans on Pilling Moss – our winter swans are back with my best count so far.
Whooper Swans
There's more soon from Another Bird Blog. Expect the unexpected and you won't be disappointed.
Linking this post to Anni's Birding Blog.
Linking this post to Anni's Birding Blog.
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17 comments:
Good afternoon Phil: Now isn't that the great thing about birding and all things related to birds? The experiences may vary from one day to the next, the populations fluctuate, the species composition varies, but there is no such thing as a bad day. Some are just better than others. And when the weather is total crap there is much pleasure in staying indoors and improving one's knowledge. I wonder what "regular"people do?
Good question David. Around here I think it's taking the dog for a walk to annoy birders, or going on a cycle ride wearing very bright clothes, preferably with 20 similarly minded people. Failing that, watch the telly or head off to the shops.
Hello Phil. Great photos and an interesting text. This year, several species lay eggs twice (in Finland). It was so warm summer.
Have a nice weekend!
Hello, great variety of birds. I love the tree creeper and the whooper swans.
Beautiful photos. Enjoy your Sunday, have a great new week!
You caught the Redwing, they are here, I have not seen any yet.
Enjoyed reading your post. It's always that hope for the unexpected even when simply watching the birds, I think. Really great photo of the tree creeper! Hope you are having a great weekend!
Ye when one goes birding one is always surprised and what we find sometimes Phil Love the image of the Treecreeper. Great to see your Whooper Swans back.Have a great week ahead
100 plus birds ringed in a week's time? That sounds extraordinary to me!! I felt your excitement and anticipation for the day...birding and banding expectations never cease. Interesting ...and 'new bird for me ...the tree creeper.
Sharing this with us at I'd Rather B Birdin is appreciated...thanks!
The Treecreeper is a bird I really enjoy seeing, if I can photograph one too then that’s a real bonus.
Just visiting today from Our World Tuesday after linking my river flooding pics. Loved reading your response for David's question about 'regular' people.
Amazing birding. It is hard for me to imagine!
Your post oozes excitement. Without people like you we would know nothing about the migration of birds.
All birds are good and the numbers you see seem great to me but the best thing must be to know that the bird ringing you do contributes so much to the knowledge about bird migration.
Phil - so happy that you continue the good work of ringing birds. As they say, without data we have limited knowledge! And I thought your response to David was hilarious - why would you want to be experiencing nature when you can wear a matching jersey with 20 other bike riders?
That is dedication! So early in the morning for this night owl. Have a great week.
Hi Phil, well at last I am sort of back into the land of computers but far more work involved than I need!!! I do love the Tree Creeper, I have only ever seen them in the North of France (possibly a short-toed), though Nigel said he saw one just South of Bergerac earlier this year, or from his description, I think that was what it was. The Chiffchaff is a dear little bird but one I think I would struggle to ID!!
Have a good weekend and take care Diane
Wow! That's an early start!
Nice to see all of your photographs though.
All the best Jan
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