Early February

A couple of calm days in early February, although sunny, allowed visits to the Pennorth crop, and the Pennorth feeders. On Wednesday 5th, Andy, Jerry, Peter and Ruth were at the crop, for a reasonable catch of 36 + (5), with the "target" buntings well represented. Details of the catch - Dunnock 1 + (2), Blue Tit 1, Chaffinch 7, Reed Bunting 9 and Yellowhammer 18 + (3). The recaptured Yellowhammer were ringed at Pennorth last month, and in December 2018, with the third moving from the Llangorse crop (where it was also ringed in December 2018). The bird that has "relocated" is only the third one to have done so (from over 600 ringed, and 33 recaptures) - the other two were ringed at the Pennorth crop in early January 2016, and re-caught 5 weeks later at the Llangorse crop. Today's catch included the second highest number of Yellowhammer we have had at the Pennorth crop (started ringing here in winter 2015/16). The three highest catches of Yellowhammer at Pennorth have now come this winter. The Llangorse site has always been much more productive for this species (presumably because it is nearer to the "ffrydd" breeding grounds), but the crop has failed this winter, so no birds there.

On Thursday 6th, Andy tried the Pennorth feeders for a catch of 20 + (8), made up of Great-spotted Woodpecker 1, Blue Tit 16 + (5), Great Tit 2 + (2) and House Sparrow 1 + (1).