Redpolls

The forecast for 7th/8th November, looked to give a lull from the windy
weather, so Jerry was playing tapes (mainly Redpoll/Siskin) in the scrub
area on both days. On Monday, he and Andy did a late morning/early
afternoon session, before Alan L and Ron took over for late
afternoon/roost. The day catch was 18 + (5), despite good numbers of
Redwing in the area, none were attracted to the roost. On Tuesday, he
was joined briefly at lunchtime by Andy, before the rain, forecast for
the afternoon, led to an early finish. The catch was 15 + (3).

We've been catching a few Lesser Redpoll, since our first of the autumn
on 9th October (biggest catch has only been 12), and by Monday we had
ringed just over 70 (a few more than our 3rd highest year max of 64 in
2012). Nothing like the "unprecedented numbers" ringed by Rob Husbands
in the Forest of Dean however - over 900 in October, incl c450 on the
weekend of 22nd/23rd. One of the birds caught on Tuesday, however, was
a good candidate for Common Redpoll (the Group's fourth). Its pale
appearance - especially face, wing bar and rump, being very noticeable,
even when still in the net, and the wing length of 75mm, was above the
range for Lesser (given in Svensson).





Species summary for the two days - Wren 1, Robin 1 + (4), Blackbird 3,
Dunnock (2), Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 1, Blue Tit 3 + (1), Chaffinch 1,
Goldfinch 1, Lesser Redpoll 14, Common Redpoll 1, Siskin 4 and Bullfinch
2 + (1).