Thursday, February 14, 2019

Now’s The Time

A Tawny Owl hooted from the trees in the next door neighbour’s garden: it was very dark with little time to look, but the owl was very close. The owls breed in a nearby copse, our garden on the edge of their territory. 

This morning was my first ringing trip to Oakenclough for 2019; ahead lay a forty minute drive. Near Out Rawcliffe there was a roadside Little Owl and then 500 yards further on, a Tawny Owl on overhead wires, but there was no point in stopping in the half-light of 0700. 

I met Andy at 0725 and noted how the mornings are getting lighter but not necessarily any warmer at a finger tingling 3°C. Some folk might consider mid-Feb to be still winter but birds don’t have a calendar taped  to the kitchen cupboard, only instinct to tell them when the time is right, just as those early morning owls announced. 

Little Owl 

Visits here at Oakenclough in 2018 provided 870 captures, 767 new birds and 103 recaptures. Once autumn migration was over we packed up in early November when the weather took a turn towards winter. The site at some 550ft/168 metres above sea level doesn't hold many midwinter birds. The decent catches are in spring and autumn as our results show e.g. 151 Goldfinch, 98 Chaffinch , 88 Redwing, 58 Meadow Pipit, 14 Tree Pipit, 52 Lesser Redpoll, 19 Blackcap and 39 Goldcrest. 

We try to filter out the tit family, mainly because in general they provide little information or data over and above that already known; but as a bi-catch we still managed 60 Blue Tit, 48 Great Tit and 18 Coal Tit. 

Andy’s dozen or so birds on Monday spurred our decision to have another go this morning but the catching proved slow and unproductive apart from ever-dependable Goldfinches. We caught just 10 birds - 6 Goldfinch, 3 Blue Tit and 1 Chaffinch. Many of the Goldfinches are in fine fettle, the silvery bills of the older males elongated enough to sex the bird without additional features. 

Goldfinch 

The most unusual occurrence came with the realisation that a Blue Tit AKC5385 had not been ringed by ourselves but by another ringer – “probably just down the road in Garstang” we remarked ungraciously, knowing that Blue Tits are not renowned itinerants. 

Blue Tit 

As the morning warmed signs of spring came by way of singing Mistle Thrush (2), Song Thrush, Great Tit and Coal Tit with a drumming Great-spotted Woodpecker providing the backing track. 

Mistle Thrush  

We saw fly-overs of Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Raven. It was a Sparrowhawk over the nearby reservoir that sent 150+ Lapwings into the air, a number of which carried on into the nearby hills where some, but sadly not enough, will stay to breed. Likewise, flights of piping Oystercatcher flew across the water to nearby fields for their own early spring rehearsals.

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



18 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello, love the Little Owl. They look similar to the Burrowing Owl seen in Florida. Beautiful birds and photos. I am not really seeing signs of spring, maybe a flock of Robins looking for berries in my yard. Happy Valentine's Day! Happy Thursday, enjoy your day. Have a great weekend ahead!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Hello Phil: It seems to me that two Tawny Owls and a Little Owl is a brilliant start to any day. Our period of daylight is increasing here too as February progresses, but it is far from springlike. We have had some brutal weather recently and everywhere is white and the snow in places is quite deep. However, when I was shovelling the driveway yesterday, the sun felt distinctly warmer than a month ago, and I suspect it won't be long before the Cardinals start to sing. As you say the birds don't check the calendar and they can read the climate far better than we can. Happy banding days ahead I am sure!

italiafinlandia said...

Beautiful shots! I like Goldfinches very much: their red muzzle is amazing.
They spend winter around lake Garda as well.

Rhodesia said...

Every day I am hearing the Litle Owls calling from one side of our garden to the other but do you think I can see the flippin things - I just keep looking!! You say Blue tits do not travel far, but where do all ours go in summer? We have dozens around in winter but we never see one in summer!!
Have a good weekend Diane

eileeninmd said...

Hello, you are lucky to see the cute Little Owl. Great birds and photos.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day! Have a happy weekend!

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Great mix of bird photos. That owl is adorable. I like the thrush, too. (I don't think we have any of those where I live.)

sandyland said...

AMAZED BY BIRD COLORS IN OTHER COUNTRIES I ONLY KNOW A YELLOW FINCH GROWING UP SO ENJOYABLE FOR ME

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

The Little Owl is so precious! What a treat to see one and get such a great photo! Love the colors in your Goldfinch too. Beautiful birds...each one unique! Happy weekend!

Anonymous said...

Stopping by for Saturday's critters
https://riacabralart.blogspot.com/

Lovely photos. magazine material I say.
:)

Anni said...

That thrush is dazzling! Oh, oh...a bird ringed by another? So, who's invading on who's territory? Kidding! That owl, out in the open like that, posing ... well, that would be a perfect outing for me!!

It's beginning to warm up finally, here...but, the nasty fog each morning, lingers.

I want to thank you for taking the time to link in and show us at I'd Rather B Birdin your pictures and fill us in on the Spring activities!

Lowcarb team member said...

What a lovely looking owl, and I love the colouring of the Goldfinch and Blue Tit.
We've had some spring-like days recently, not too sure how much longer they will last though, time will tell!

All the best Jan

Angie said...

Phil - you know you kill me every time you include a picture of an owl - I love them so much. The Mistle Thrush is a close second, though - a very handsome bird indeed!

Wally said...

Apart from pangs of jealousy that you have an owl so close to your house, I thoroughly enjoyed your post.

Your recap of last year's ringing efforts is impressive (to me, a non-ringer) and I marvel at the diversity of your birds. Like you, we have been seeing signs of spring here, too. Much more singing going on in the woods, raptors are pairing up and scouting nesting sites, territorial spats breaking out.

Spring migration is underway as well and soon we'll be almost devoid of sparrows, warblers and ducks.

Hopefully, your weather will turn a bit warmer for you. "Finger-tingling 3" degrees does not sound pleasant for this sub-tropical bird watcher.

Gini and I hope your new week is off to a great start!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

You are doing such good work! It sounds so cold to (spoiled) me....thanks for braving the weather and sharing your pix and info as always. I think I’m glad the birds inner clock tells them it’s spring (as long as they don’t freeze). Thank you again for your ID help on the yellowlegs.

Stewart M said...

As has been said above, owls to start the day is always good. Did the Blue Tit end up being more interesting than you thought?

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

PS: sorry new link up was not smooth - beyond my control I am sorry to say!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

2 different species in a day f Owl, what's not to like Phil

Tanza Erlambang said...

Goldfinch looks so beautiful.
awesome photos.
have a great day

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Mistle Thrush....I don't recall seeing that one before, but oh how pretty it is! The Robin family right?

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