New solar panel fitted, and Lesser Redpolls arrive

On Tuesday (25 Oct), Alan L and Jerry spent the afternoon fitting our new solar panel (BBT grant aided).  Nets were also set for the afternoon, catching was still slow - just 5 + (3) by the time they took a tea break (but included 2 Lesser Redpoll).  Andy then arrived to help Alan L with a decent roost session of 13 Redwing/Song Thrush.  The day ended on 17 + (4).  

On Wednesday, Jerry was back (mid am - mid pm) for a catch of 11, which included 5 Lesser Redpoll (looks like they are finally starting to arrive/pass through, so catches should improve in future sessions).  Because it was still quiet in the scrub area, he put a net at the nyger feeder for a couple of hours.  Just 2 Goldfinch were caught - a predictably small catch given the lack of seed being taken.

On Thursday, Jeremy and Robin arrived mid afternoon, although they caught 3 Redwing early on, the roost was not very good.  It was was so mild (16 C), that butterflies were still on the wing earlier in the afternoon, and they caught a small bat in gn5 at dusk.  Although there were about 20 Redwing around the garden area (and three different tape systems were playing), the birds moved on eastwards at about 3pm.  Jeremy thinks a cold snap might improve our prospects.  The evening ended on 10 + (8).  On Friday, Jerry arrived late morning, for an immediate catch of 7 Lesser Redpoll (by the time he left, 12 had been ringed, along with 3 Siskin).  Alan L took over late in the afternoon, to work on the wiring for the new solar panel, and stayed for a roost.  The day ended on 22 + (10), with a late Chiffchaff, but just one Redwing caught at the roost. 

Species mix Redwing 13, Song Thrush 9, Blackbird 2, Robin 2 + (5), Wren (3), Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 3 + (5), Blue Tit 3 + (2), Coal Tit (1), Great Tit 1, Long-tailed Tit (1), Nuthatch (1), Treecreeper (1), Goldfinch 2, Lesser Redpoll 19, Siskin 3, Chaffinch 2 and Bullfinch (3).