Early November - taping (Redpolls at last), dazzling, and 1st visit for winter CES.

The run of unsettled weather continued and restricted ringing to the few dry/calm days - Jerry starting with a late afternoon/roost session on Friday 4th. Very few Redwing were evident around the church when he arrived so it was not surprising that only two were caught at roost. The remainder of the catch comprised 2 Blackcap (M & F), with singles of Blackbird, Goldfinch, Lesser Redpoll, Bullfinch, and (retrap) Coal Tit. The session total was just 8 + (1). A 1st year Cormorant with an orange ring (black inscription) on its left leg, was on one of the point rocks, but was too distant to read. It is very likely this bird is from a project that has recently started in Cheshire but until the ring can be read we can't fully rule out a bird from further afield!

A week later, and a short spell of fine weather prompted Jerry to try an afternoon session on Thursday 10th. The first net round produced 18 birds in GN6 - 17 Lesser Redpoll and a Siskin, but the next two hours just two more birds - including a Bullfinch (not ringed as it was starting to show signs of scaly leg). The session ended on 19 "quality" birds ringed. On Saturday, 12th Jerry was back (with potential trainee Jake), for a catch of 16 + (6), incl a Redwing and 14 Lesser Redpoll (none of which were recaptures from 10th - maybe suggesting passage rather than birds from the alder carr wandering into our catching area). 

Andy tried an earlier start on Sunday 13th, for 11 + (2), incl 2 Redwing, 1 + (2) Goldcrest, 2 Siskin and a Lesser Redpoll. Jerry & Jake then took over but just one new Robin was added by early afternoon. The species mix for the three sessions was Robin 1, Song Thrush 1, Redwing 3, Goldcrest 1 + (2), Blue Tit 3, Great tit 1, Long-tailed Tit (6), Chaffinch 1, Siskin 4, and Lesser Redpoll 32,

On Friday 11th, Carlton checked the point field for a thermal image/dazzle visit, but it was not dark enough (light cloud and near full moon). Although c100 Snipe could be seen with the "thermal" they were all in the flooded area, so he abandoned an attempt to catch. 

Monday 14th was the end of the "weather window", so Andy took the opportunity to make a start on the winter CES. His 3 hr session produced a very useful 44 + (5), made up of Blue Tit 24 + (3), Great Tit 4, Coal Tit 2, Nuthatch 1 + (1), and House Sparrow 13 + (1).