|
SORBY BRECK RINGING GROUP BLOG FOR 2008
This page includes some interesting items from the groups ringing activities during 2008 (and late 2007), previously included in the login section. They have been put together as a retrospective blog. Quick Links: 'Early 2008' 'April' 'May' 'June' 'July' 'August' 'November' Black-headed Gulls at Bakewell Sewage Farm A couple of photos of a Black-headed Gull - one of four caught at Bakewell on the 30th November by Geoff, Jack Bryn and Paul. Photos courtesy of Paul Hooper.
A cracking shot of a Short-eared Owl - courtesy of Alan Heeley (03/12/2008)
Some Photos from Ramsley Moor (Pictures courtesy of Norman Crowson)
Short-eared Owl
Little Owl
Fieldfare Male Sparrowhawk Just thought I'd share a photo of an adult male Sparrowhawk caught in my garden on Wednesday. Sean
Below is a picture of 3 Hobby chicks. They were ringed at an undisclosed site by Roy Frost on Saturday (02/08/2008). Many thanks to Jack for climbing the tree. It is well documented that Woodpigeons nest in the same tree as Hobbies, and sure enough, Jack found a Woodpigeon nest.
Update on the Sorby Breck Group Ringing Weekend (06/07/2008) Many thanks to the ten ringers who took part in the three days of
ringing at the weekend. Despite the poor weather conditions, ringing
took place as planned at Williamthorpe, Palterton and Carr Vale.
160 birds were processed, among them all three wagtail species, House
Martin, Swallow, Starling, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Willow
Tit, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Linnet and Ringed Plover.
There were 35 Chiffchaffs and 26 Pied Wagtails topping the totals list.
Sightings also included; Ruddy Duck, Water Rail, Grasshopper Warbler, Green Woodpecker, Hobby, Sparrowhawk and Little Ringed Plover. It was pleasing, too, to be visited by the Bolsover Group lead by
Dave. His 12 volunteers were responsible along with Derbyshire Countryside
Services for the hedge cutting organised in February by Alan Heeley.
Geoff
A stunning Yellow Wagtail ringed at Carr vale Nature Reserve on Sunday 6th July. This is the third Yelwa to be ringed there this year! Photo courtesy of Eleanor Wilkins. Photographs of Willow Tit without the white mark on the upper mandible (03/07/2008) Those of you who have perused this page thoroughly will remember a note on identifying Marsh Tits by the white spot on their upper mandible (see below). In contrast, Willow Tit seems to lack this white spot, making it a useful additional identification feature. Any evidence to support or contradict this theory is very welcome. The photos of the 3J Willow Tits below, showing no white spots, were kindly provided by John Cranfield from a ringing session at Stanford.
Grasshopper Warblers at Bondhay (29/06/2008) This is juvenile Grasshopper Warbler, ringed at Bondhay on Sunday. Two birds were ringed making that a total of four for the site. These may not be the last, as there were four singing males to be heard.
3J Grasshopper Warbler, Bondhay, Sunday 29th June 2008 - photo Mark Reeder Firecrest in the Derwent Valley
Photo courtesy of Richard Dale Unusual emargination pattern in Chiffchaff (24/05/2008) During a ringing session at Blackburn Meadows NR today, we had a Chiffchaff which had unusual emargination on its right wing (see below). Although the bird had all the characteristics of a Chiffchaff in the hand, the outer webs of the primaries on the right wing showed no emargination, except for P2. However, an examination of the left wing showed the classic pattern, with the primaries being emarginated to P6. Has anyone else come across this phenomenon? It is probable that the tips of the right wing have worn away as they seem less pointed. If this is the case it is very even wear as they do not appear to have been broken. The difference between the wing lengths (maximum chord) is only 2mm - right 56 and left 58.
Chiffchaff rightwing showing unusual emargination
Chiffchaff left wing showing the usual emargination pattern This picture is of a Mute Swan family (an adult pair and 8 cygnets) taken by Dan near Goole harbour. The cygnets hatched on the 29th March, which is more than a month earlier than would be expected. Unfortunately, they were too small to ring! Thanks Dan.
A good 'start' at a new site! (24/04/2008) This picture of a male Redstart was sent by Paul. It was ringed on the first visit to a new ringing site on Sunday morning. Not a bad start!
A plethora of Rooks (14/04/2008) No this isn’t a new collective noun for Rooks and the numbers involved
were hardly a superabundance! However,
two adult Rooks and a juvenile Carrion Crow was a new ringing experience
for myself and Kevin. The
ringing was done in my garden, where I regularly have Rooks and Crows
feeding, but I didn't know how easy they would be to ring.
Both species were quite placid to handle and remarkably elegant
at close quarters.
Early 2008 and Late 2007 Another nice bird is this juvenile Green Woodpecker ringed at Bondhay. Photo Eleanor Wilkins Because it was so windy yesterday I nearly didn't bother ringing in the garden, however I'm pleased I did! Within half an hour, I had caught a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. I have lived in the house for 25 years and although they are seen occasionally in nearby Graves Park I have never seen one in the garden before. I hope it and it's mate might soon be regular feeders on the seed. By dinner I had caught 25 birds including a jay, goldfinch and bullfinch, although the siskin feeding managed to elude me. Not a bad morning!
Dave This winter (2007-08) has been a good one for Brambling so far, with
good numbers of birds around. This is a photo of a 2Y male Brambling ringed
at Whitwell Wood. Singles have now been ringed at Shottle, Derwent, Whitwell
and Ramsley. Where next??? Photo courtesy of Eleanor Wilkins I didn't have time to get out ringing this morning due to the early kick
off at Hillsborough. However, a ringing session in the garden was well
rewarded by this stunning Sparrowhawk. Dave A Great Site (14/11/2007) Jack and I were not expecting to ring a Great Grey Shrike when we set
off this morning. The bird was ringed at a small site in the Derwent Valley
that had already produced two Firecrests. The photo was taken on a mobile
phone. What a great site/sight !! Geoff
A beautiful Tawny Owl ringed by Rob and Paul.
Marsh Tits - A Note for
ringers I have included pictures of Marsh Tits showing a white
patch on the upper mandible. It is noted by Svensson and reported by Dewolf
in Belgium. He considers it reliable for distinguishing Willow Tit which
lacks this feature. I have never seen any white on the upper mandible
of Willow Tits. Could ringers confirm this please?
Hi Geoff,
Good to see you at Warwick.
Further to your observations on the white mark on Marsh Tit upper mandible,
I thought that you might like to see the attached photo of a Willow Tit
which, as expected, does not have the mark. Unfortunately
I do not have any photos of Marsh Tits, but I'll take some when we next
catch them!
Regards
John
|
-600.jpg)
.-600.jpg)
