Ringing - 16th Oct

A mammoth (all day) ringing session produced 76 birds plus another 14 the following morning (while the nets dried out). Not many thrushes about yet but still quite a few finches except Chaffinch. Four Siskin inspected the nets - but that's as far as they went!

Here's a list of the 17 species what we caught (new, retraps):-
Wren 1/3, Dunnock 2/6, Robin 1/4, Blackbird 3/2, Song Thrush 0/1, Redwing 1/0 (an adult, the majority that we catch are immatures), Blackcap 3/0 (all heavy and ready for "the off"; one remained next day), Chiffchaff 3/0, Goldcrest 3/1, LT Tit 0/2, Blue Tit 8/11, Great Tit 2/6, House Sparrow 1/0, Chaffinch 1/0, Greenfinch 11/2, Goldfinch 7/0, Bullfinch 3/1.

A notable passage of Wood Pigeons south on the 17th, with flocks over 100. DK also had a long line of Starlings that numbered 1500. Some Sky Lark movement, too.

A rough haircut

BTCV have been in 'the park' of late. In the last few weeks, Princes Trust volunteers helped create & enhance glades along the woodland walk. Weekday Conservation Team volunteers constructed some willow spiling along the far side of the main lake (in the wintering wildfowl section) and the 'rough' has had a hair cut.



Above: Coppicing in the rough.



Above: John working hard (as usual).



Above: A bit of a pollard - well, we wouldn't want to get rid of all the scrub all at once would we?



Above: Jill tends the bonfire.

Bits & pieces

This week's obs made mainly around Fingers.
2-3 Siskins daily blogging round the site. An increase in Chaffinch and Greenfinch with small flocks of 5-6 present. Goldfinch numbers over 20 daily. Male Blackcap singing by the 'dead seat' on Monday and in the 'rough' on Tues. No hirundines seen. At least 3 Goldcrests. Green & Gt.Spots actively calling. Also Water Rail squealing on 'lilypads'. Female Kestrel over uncut parts of 'new meadow'.
Parts of the 'rough' and the 'crescent' have recently had a "haircut" [coppicing]; the 'spits' are ongoing as JB says they intend to do six, time permitting.