December - feeder sessions

The weather continues to offer few opportunities to set mist nets, but on Sunday 13th, Andy and Jerry had another session at the Pennorth feeders. With the net set for just over an hour (furling part way through to process the catch) they ended on 46 + (3). The lack of retraps, after two previous sessions there, was surprising. Most of the catch comprised Blue Tit, and the majority were first year birds (suggesting a better breeding season, in the general area, than our local nest boxes would suggest), and with females far outnumbering males (suggesting males may be staying closer to territory with the mild weather). Details of the catch were 4 Coal Tit, 1 Marsh Tit, 39 + (3) Blue Tit, 1 House Sparrow and 1 Greenfinch.

Wednesday 23rd was one of the few forecasts that might have allowed some netting, so Andy and Jerry tried the nyger feeders again. Some heavy showers in the early afternoon weren't forecast, and they packed up after just 1.5 hours. The catch comprised 4 new birds and 10 retraps - reflecting previous catches, and the limited number of birds visiting in the un-seasonally mild conditions. The catch comprised 3 + (5) Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, and single recaptures of Robin, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Coal Tit and Lesser Redpoll.