Mid October (2) - Redwing arrive

On Thurs 15th Oct, Andy, Ruth and Jerry had an afternoon catch of 15 + (8), which included a young female Sparrowhawk (unfortunately killing a Blue Tit in the net), the first Redwing of the autumn, and a group of 8 (unringed) Long-tailed Tit (most over the last couple of months have been mainly recaptures), which must be a new "family group" visiting our netting area. After the ringing session, they looked at the game cover crops at Eligro - two areas this year, neither of which look to have the same potential for catching as last winter's, and watched the Beavers at feeding time (seeing 3 or 4 different animals).

On Fri, Jerry had a catch of 16 + (4), including 6 Redwing and 6 Siskin.

On Sat, Jeremy and Martin had a better catch, which included 6 more Redwing, 2 (late) Blackcap, and 12 new Goldcrest (equal to the previous max day catch) and a control (BNK064). Jerry took over at lunchtime, when the wind had picked up and leaves were being deposited in some nets, especially GN7 (which he furled early). Only 4 more birds (a Siskin and 3 Lesser Redpoll) were added to the total by the time he left to watch the rugby. The day ended on 33 + (5).

On Sun, Amy and Jerry were back (in much calmer conditions), for a catch of 17 + (6), including another Blackcap and 7 Lesser Redpoll.

On Tues, the forecast was for the high pressure system to get pushed aside, with a showery couple of days to follow, so Alan L and Jerry tried a mid afternoon/roost session. The catch was a reasonable 15 + (7) including 4 Redwing and 2 Song Thrush.

Apart from Jeremy's session, the daily catch seems to be consistently about 20/25 birds, but will hopefully pick up when more Redpoll/Siskin settle in the alder woods around the Lake.

Sparrowhawk 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Wren 3 + (2)
Robin 1 + (5)
Dunnock 7
Song Thrush 4
Redwing 16
Blackbird 2
Blackcap 3
Goldcrest 14 + (2)
Blue Tit 7 + (7)
Great Tit 2 + (1)
Marsh Tit 1 + (2)
Coal Tit 1 + (2)
Long-tailed Tit 8 + (2)
Treecreeper (1)
Siskin 11
Lesser Redpoll 10
Goldfinch 1 + (3)
Bullfinch 1 + (4)

Goldc

First year Redwing - showing characteristic tertial markings

First year female Srarrowhawk - showing terminal fringes to covert feathers