Two More Feeder Sessions

A short break in the wind and rain allowed sessions at the nyger and sunflower feeders, giving useful comparisons in the species mix between the two food sources.  

On Mon 16 Dec, Andy and Jerry tried a net at the nyger feeder, resulting in a catch of 16 + (18) - comprising 

1 Treec, 

7 + (5) Bluti, 

(1) Marti**, 

(1) Greti, 

1 Chaff, 

6 + (11) Goldf and 

1 Siski.  

** This bird showed a mix of features, which on the day seemed to lean towards Willow Tit.  On checking however, the bird had been ringed, and retrapped, as a Marsh - with comments noting the mix of contradictory features.  

On the following day, Ron, Jerry and Andy had a catch at the sunflower feeder, which was lower than expected at 16 + (14) - probably because there were periods when the feeder was emptied, and a short delay before it could be re-filled.  The catch was made up of 

(2) Dunno, 

(2) Robin, 

(1) Sonth, 

5 + (7) Bluti, 

(1) Greti, 

1 + (1) Chaff, 

1 Goldf, 

6 Grefi and 

3 Housp.

There were high numbers of recaptures, as would be expected from our regular ringing sessions.  It looks like the majority of Goldfinch might have now been ringed, though this is not yet the case with Greenfinch.  Blue Tits, and especially Great Tits, seem to have had a very poor breeding season, with relatively low numbers being caught.  The more wary House Sparrows are the first to be caught at our feeders this year, although two were caught in Andy's garden at the end of November.