Early December Bird crop sessions

December started with high pressure over the country, so a cold calm day on Saturday 2nd, saw Ron, Andy, Amy & Jerry having a first visit to the "new" Llangorse bird crop.  Some 400m from last year's crop, it was an extensive (c 2ha) area of Barley (with some Brassica).  The flock of about 150 birds, seemed to be made up of Yellowhammer and House Sparrow, with lesser numbers of Chaffinch, and very few Reed Bunting. About 150 Starling were also present. With tall trees on three sides of the crop, a line of three nets was set along one end of the southern tree belt, and (as usual) the birds had to be coaxed into position.  In just three catches, they finished with a total of 56 + (1), comprising Wren 2, Dunnock 4 + (1), Robin 2, Blue Tit 2, House Sparrow 23, Chaffinch 3 and Yellowhammer 20.  The House Sparrow total was a new day maximum - just exceeding the 20 from last year's site (at the end of November), with virtually the same team of Ron, Andy & Jerry.

On Monday, Jerry put up GN4-7 (while he was net mending) and caught 11 + (4) in about 3 hrs - Wren 1, Blackbird (1), Goldcrest (1), Marsh Tit 1, Blue Tit 2 + (2), Treecreeper 1 and Lesser Redpoll 6.  Highlight was about mid afternoon, when a Peregrine passed low over the scrub, carrying a Wood Pigeon, it lost its grip with the Pigeon seeking refuge in the scrub alders.

On Tuesday, Andy and Jerry made a 3rd visit to the Pennorth bird crop. Bird numbers seemed to have reduced a bit from mid November, with about 150 Chaffinch and c40 Reed Bunting, but with only a couple each of Yellowhammer and Brambling seen.  About 200+ Starling were also using the crop - a mix of Barley and Brassica, with some Mustard.  The different mix presumably accounting for the different bird mix (than at the Llangorse crop).  It was much breezier than forecast, so not ideal for this exposed site, and only one decent catch was made in three hours.  The total of 20 + (1) comprised Song Thrush 1, Blackbird (1), Dunnock 1, Blue Tit 4, Chaffinch 10 and Reed Bunting 4.