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Saturday 25 September 2021

18th to 25th September – Part two of a two-week ringing expedition (updated)

The team of bird ringers under the leadership of Chris Dee that arrived on 11th have continued to catch steadily, but migrant numbers have often been very low in unusually warm and settled conditions for the second half of the month.

Saturday 18th

Finally a good day for nocturnal passerine migrants; 181 new birds were ringed, as follows:

2 Sand Martin, 52 Swallow, 17 Willow Warbler, 21 Chiffchaff, 74 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroat (of which 5 were adults), 1 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 1 Stonechat, 4 Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Goldfinch.

Sunday 19th

Light rain at dawn didn't bring in many migrants. A total of 27 birds ringed:

1 Swallow, 16 Blackcap, 1 Robin, 1 Wren, 1 Dunnock and 7 Meadow Pipit.

Monday 20th

Another quiet day, despite ideal mist-netting conditions; 28 new birds ringed:

12 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 1 Chiffchaff, 9 Blackcap, 1 Wren, 1 Stonechat,  2 Meadow Pipit and 1 House Sparrow.

Elsewhere, Dean Jones found an Ortolan Bunting and there was a ring-tail harrier in Tent Field in the afternoon.

Tuesday 21st

Perfect mist-netting conditions again, but very few birds in Millcombe. Swallow passage late morning and more Meadow Pipits about. A total of 130 birds were ringed:

44 Swallow, 7 House Martin, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 66 Meadow Pipit, 1 House Sparrow and 1 Chaffinch.

Wednesday 22nd

Calm again, with few birds! A total of 64 new birds ringed, the great majority being Meadow Pipits: 

6 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Robin, 1 Wren, 45 Meadow Pipit and 2 Goldfinch.

Observations included single Water Rail, Sparrowhawk and Merlin, and three Grey Herons.

Thursday 23rd

Another calm morning with few birds; just 13 new birds ringed:

1 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush (the first of the autumn!), 1 Robin and 1 Wren.

Friday 24th

Slightly more activity at dawn, light mist from 11.00 hrs; 61 new birds ringed:

36 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 16 Blackcap, 6 Goldcrest, 1 Robin, 1 Stonechat and 1 Meadow Pipit.

Saturday 25th

A final 14 birds were ringed by 10.00 hrs, when Chris and his team handed over to a newly arrived Shaun Robson.

1 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Wren, 1 Robin, 1 Stonechat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 House Sparrow.

One Whimbrel was seen on Rat Island as MS Oldenburg departed.

 

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