Sunday 10 April 2011

MIXED WEEKEND

Ringing on Saturday was REALLY quiet, with only six birds in total caught! Two Chiffchaffs, a Dunnock, Goldfinch, Wren and Great Tit were the only birds we had in four hours of ringing. Mothing was equally disappointing with only TWO species trapped! Hebrew Characters and Tawny Pinion were the only ones. However John Chapman did bring along a moth he'd trapped in his garden, a Muslin Moth, which was a new species for me. We pulled the nets down at 9.30am because we had a meeting with the Lottery facilitator, and while showing her around the Coastal Park I saw my first two Wheatears of the year. It was also nice to see plenty of Toadspawn in the pond.

If I thought ringing on Saturday was disappointing Sunday was actually even worse! Only FIVE birds trapped in total, a Robin, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Goldfinch and a Blue Tit. Mothing was better but really only slightly. Three species trapped, Hebrew Character, Common Quaker and Clouded Drab. After the mammal trapping success of last weekend we borrowed a trap from Andy/WWT and John set it on Saturday night. When we checked it this morning we discovered it had caught a Wood Mouse. One trap one catch. Cant argue with that! So we've borrowed a few more traps and we'll put them out on the weekends that we ring. It was nice to see my first Swallows of the year this morning, always a welcome sight. We also had a fantastic surprise when a Marsh Harrier flew past the coast giving us excellent views. Great stuff.
WHEATEAR (TOP), MUSLIN MOTH (2ND), SWALLOW (3RD) & MARSH HARRIER (BOTTOM)

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