January catches, and a Canada Goose recovery

With Covid "stay at home" restrictions back in force (set by the Govt), the BTO has confirmed that the only ringing that can take place must be within the curtilage of one's own property. Unfortunately, we are not able to continue ringing at the bird crops, frustratingly as decent numbers of birds are still using them. " Group" ringing has been confined to Andy setting a net at his garden feeders, where he is able to ring on his own. On Wednesday January 6th, he completed the third "winter trial" session, but caught just 3 + (10) birds. His more frequent checks of the nets (because of the cold conditions), probably partially accounting for the low catch. The species mix was made up of Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Robin (2), Blue Tit 3 + (5), Great Tit (1) and Chaffinch (1). One of the Blue Tits was ringed in our CES area in July 2019, and was next caught at the Pennorth feeders in November 2020. Another was caught at Pennorth in February 2018, and has not been caught since (until now). There are several other feeding stations in the village, so presumably this bird (and others), will also be feeding at these, and only occasionally visiting Andy's garden.

With the arrival of some milder weather, the nets were set again on 12th, but the catching was very slow, and he continued for longer than his usual 3 hours. Despite this, the session ended with a catch of just 10 + (7), made up of Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Blue Tit 7 + (4), Coal Tit 2 + (2) and House Sparrow 1. The Woodpecker was ringed in Feb 2017, and had also been caught in Nov 2017 and May 2020.

On Saturday 22nd, Andy did the fourth "winter trial" session, and in bright sunshine, the catch was poor (consistent with recent sessions). The total of 10 + (3) was made up of  Robin 2, Wren 1, Dunnock (1), Coal Tit (1), Blue Tit 4 + (1), House Sparrow 1, Chaffinch 1 and Goldfinch 1. The most interesting of the re-traps was the Blue Tit - ringed at the jetty in July 2020. Our January total for birds ringed is 23 - our lowest since 2010.

Canada Goose 5287772 was ringed on 30 June 2019, and was found dead (not fresh) on 9 January 2021 at Symonds Yat, Herefordshire - 559 days, 44 km, 103 degrees.