Final sessions of 2019

During December the Group ringed just 104 birds (about half the December numbers for the last two years - when activities were comparable), bringing the Year Total to 2478 (our 7th highest). With poor weather conditions for most of the first half of the month, and with Jerry still out of action, it was left to Andy to keep the ringing "ticking over" until the year's end. He had two sessions at the Pennorth garden feeders, for catches of 17 + (4) on Saturday 21st, and 21 + (12) on Sunday 29th. The species mix for the two sessions was - Robin 1, Dunnock (1), Goldcrest 1, Blue Tit 21 + (8), Great Tit 8 + (2), Marsh Tit (1), Coal Tit 1 + (1), Long-tailed Tit (1), Nuthatch 1 + (1), House Sparrow 3 + (1) and Greenfinch 2.

The high water levels had flooded much of the lakeside fields, including the hut feeder area to "knee depth" (the highest since early 2014). The Llangorse bird crop had mainly failed, so our only other winter site was the Pennorth bird crop, where Andy had two further catches.
Unfortunately, he was unable to muster enough help (to move the birds around the crop), so the catches were well below potential.  On Tuesday 17th, Jeremy and Peter helped him for a catch of 17 + (4), while on Friday 27th, Rachel and Peter helped him manage just 11 + (1). The species mix was Dunnock 1, Wren 1 + (1), Blue Tit 1 + (1), House Sparrow 4, Yellowhammer 15 and Reed Bunting 5 + (3).