Saturday, June 27, 2009

Saturday 27th June 2009

Very quiet this morning, highlights in the park were Treecreeper heard along the east side of big fingers and along the woodland walk. Also a family group of Chiffchaff in the trees by the Crescent with adults feeding at least one youngster.

We headed over to Castle Mill Pit where we had 8 Little Egret, ~37 Common Terns (Several on eggs), A couple of Oystercatchers and Green Sandpiper. Also quite a few BH Gulls, a pair of Mute Swans, several Grey Herons and adult and juvenile Green Woodpeckers.

Common Whitethroat still very vocal along the cycle track and report of a Common Buzzard feeding on the ground by the lake by the gravel works entry road, sadly not confirmed by us. Quite a few Chiffchaff singing around the park.

Back in the park there was a lot of activity on the main lake but we spied a fairly new Canada Goose family, 4 big fluffy goslings, through the reeds in the north east corner. Lots of noisy Jackdaws, and a few Crows on Kingsmead.

Friday, June 26, 2009

CES ringing on 26/06

A dull day, but only the weather! So far this year, we are having an excellent CES season, which may prove to be one of the best (numbers wise) for a good few years. Certainly makes up for the low numbers of the last two years.

"Strange birds" for us here were Woodpigeon, a fat one, & Magpie, a fully grown youngster.

All told, 44, with 32 of them juveniles.
The other 42 consisted of: Wren 5, Dunnock 5, Robin 6, Blackbird 5, Garden Warbler 1, Blackcap 7, Chiffchaff 8 (today's star bird), Blue Tit 1, Gt. Tit 2, Chaffinch 2.

In 6 sessions so far this year, we have caught 166 individuals of 18 species. We are now half way through the CES programme for 2009, our 18th year.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

CES ringing - 13/06

Late news, I'm afraid.

Thanks to Guy and Ed for doing this one for me - while I enjoyed the sunshine in SW Scotland! Total of 40 birds, of which only 2 were retraps.

(Adults then juveniles) : Wren 1/2, Dunnock 1/4, Robin 0/3, Blackbird 2/0 (both breeding females), Reed Warbler 1/0, Whitethroat 0/4, Blackcap 1/8, Chiffchaff 2/6, Blue Tit 0/1, Great Tit 0/3, Chaffinch 0/1.

So, some later broods of Wren, Dunnock and Robin plus the main broods of Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat. Finches and Garden Warblers to come, eh, plus more Blackbirds?