February ringing

On Wednesday 5th Feb, Jerry and Andy were at the Llangynidr feeders, but the catch totaled only was about half the number caught of the previous visit at 19 + (2). The species break down (still dominated by the targeted Siskin) was - Dunnock 2, Goldcrest 1, Blue Tit 1, Long-tailed Tit 2, Goldfinch 2, and Siskin 11 + (1) - the first recapture from this year's ringing at the site.

On Saturday 8th, Andy completed the final WRP session (No 8) of the winter. He had a decent catch with finches starting to increase in number (as has happened in previous winters). Andy is likely to continue ringing at his feeders for a month or so, but most of the finches will be too late to be included in the WRP data. His total of 25 + (11) was made up of Robin 1, Blue Tit 2 + (9), Great Tit 1 + (1), Long-tailed Tit (1), Goldfinch 11, Siskin 3, and Greenfinch 7.

A settled spell of weather at the end of the month, and some 20/25 Redpoll arrived to feed in the alder trees adjacent to our ringing area. On Tuesday 25th Jeremy and Robin set the nets/tapes to try and catch them, without success (lightly due to sun on the nets and light breeze). They caught just 3 birds in a couple of hours - a new Siskin, and retrap Dunnock and Blackbird.

Jerry tried on Friday 28th but no sign of the Redpoll - probably in a different patch of Alder nearer to the Lake. His small catch of 4 birds was made up of new Treecreeper, and retrap Blackbird, Robin and Wren. Just 46 birds ringed in February (an average for this month in recent years), and YTD becomes 177.