Monday 30 August 2010

Northerlies

At last Ian and I managed to get out and do some ringing at Rossall School this morning. As we arrived at the 'obs' at 5.45 a.m. it was a bit touch and go with the wind. We could easily have called it off as the northerly breeze was quite stiff. Fortunately we decided to give it a go but the northerlies would put paid to us catching any numbers.

There were a number of hirundines around this morning so I put Swallow song on my MP3 player at one of the nets. This immediately brought in at least 75 Swallows and 25 House Martins, but because of the wind the nets were billowing a touch and this was putting the birds off. We ended up ringing 4 Swallows and 2 House Martins, but if it wasn't for the wind it could have been at least five times as much as this.

 House Martin

We had the same problem with Grey Wagtail. We put Grey Wag on the MP3 and straight away a bird dropped in. It perched on the poles, on the top shelf string but refused to get caught. Again those northerlies were causing us problems.

Vis was in fact very poor this morning even though it was clear and the best day for vis for several days. We had an Alba Wag over, 5 or 6 Meadow Pipits, a couple of Skylark and a Saprrowhawk and that was it. Talking of Sparrowhawks we did manage to ring a cracking female. For a change she was really placid for a Sparrowhawk and was a joy to handle.

 Sparrowhawk

A Great Spotted Woodpecker headed north and a flock of 30 Goldfinch fed on weed seeds adjacent to the sea wall. In addition to what I have already mentioned we also ringed 2 Dunnocks and 1 each of Robin, Wren and Blackbird.

Robin

3 comments:

Birdringal-andalus said...

Seumus Dear, Greetings: you ought to try to put a small stone at each three meters in the stock network windy day, move a little less and have more catches, try it to see what gives you results.
Here the Hirundo are captured late in the afternoon in wooded swamps.
Greetings and luck.
Your friend Fernando.

Pete Marsh said...

Hello Seamus
If you are ringing Grey Wagtails this autumn, please could you colour-ring them. We can supply the colour rings.

Thanks

Pete
PS sympathise with you yesterday - the wind was a pain - only JUST too breezy & when it dropped it was a little too late

The Hairy Birder said...

I'll give that a try Fernando.

Cheers,

Seumus