04/11: Redwings.

A quiet birding week. Not been out and not seen much. However I have noticed the sounds of migrating Redwing passing overhead in the night. Because I have done nothing bird related this week, I will focus on them!

Redwing (Turdus iliacus) is a species which I have ringed before in the past. Lovely bird in the hand and an option for favourite thrush (can't forget Fieldfares!). Very much a bird I associate with winter time back home, as I live in the fens, you can get some pretty decent flocks, often mixed in with Fieldfare. What I have learnt after a quick google is that Redwing have two subspecies, iliacus and coburni. Iliacus is found through and breeds in mainland Europe and winters here in the UK. Coburni however are Icelandic and Faroese (I have no idea if this the collect term for Faroe Islanders...) and winter along Western Scotland and Ireland as well as far south as Northern Spain. The visual differences are apparently a larger and darker bird would be for Coburni.

An Icelandic bird coburni. (Photo taken from: Jacob Sigurdsson, Wild Bird Gallery)

And iliacus.

From the photo's there does seem to be a difference in the shades of brown on the back and wing of the bird, I'll have to keep an eye out from now on.

P.S. Trip to WWT Slimbridge a week on Wednesday. I'll try get some decent photo's and something to write up about!

Rejuvination!

Hello to anyone, who still follows this blog! I imagine there are very few of you as I've been without posting in nearly a year.

Unfortunatley university has meant my birding is now down to a minimum, as I've highlighted in previous posts, but I am now toying at the idea of doing a weekly post on monday nights about interesting things that have occured, maybe not in my first hand birding experience but in what I've been researching for projects/general interest.

So I'll treat this as a prelude and try and give a catch-up of whats being going on since Christmas last year. I have been bird ringing when I've been home and have managed to ring a brood of Raven chicks back near the beginning of the year. After the bad year for Barn Owls that has developed across much of the country I continued to help out in monitoring the state of affairs in Lincolnshire. The news is better here than it was in most of the country, though still bad in general (a brood of 7 was a highlight however, the later season proving more productive than early brooders).

During August I spent 3 weeks doing a research project in the Peruvian Amazon studying the effects of ecotourism on the Tambopata National Reserve. We set up remote camera traps and spent our time performing vegetation structure surveys alongside to make our results more viable.

 The 'Colpa' a parrot claylick, close-by to the ecolodge 'Explorers Inn' where we were based for the most part of our stay.

 A very big tree! The roots don't extend far into the ground here as the soil layer isn't very thick. So instead the roots span out across the ground. Look incredible.

 A Tortoise. I have no idea of the species, but he/she was pretty sweet.

Control Point Malinowski. We met here with SERNAP who act as reserve security to hand over camera's by which the project could continue without our teams prescence.

 Something bird related! I have no idea of who was responsible for this nest (maybe someone out there does?) but there were Screaming Piha calling around us. Cool little nest.

 Vermillion Flycatcher. Pretty bird that kept dropping down and picking invertebrates off of the surface of the rather swollen river. It rose dramatically after an amazing storm the night before. Didn't stop us dodging tree's on our journey upriver to Malinowski though.

Another 'Colpa'. got the privaledge of watching Red and Green, Blue and Yellow and Scarlet Macaws all communing together to get the vital nutrients from the clay.

 Black Caiman. Very big. Very awesome.

A little hummingbird that was present everyday on the bushes outside our lodgings. I think it's a Reddish Hermit but I'm not certain.

Proof that maybe I can get over my fear of heights...42 metres up the canopy tower. The canopy below and 2 specs of people below that.

 Why I decided climbing 42 metres was worth it. Simply stunning.

The walk back after sunset brings a new side to the rainforest. The nights were just a diverse as the days and the critters were mainly different.

 Lake Cococotcha. An amazing night. We stayed in a hide and watched out over the lake for sunset before undertaking a Caiman count. Was great fun. Then up at daw for sunrise and to watch Giant River Otters play. Didn't get close enough for photos of them but it was still something incredible to tick off the list of amazing things I've wanted to do for a long time.

 Where we set up the hammocks on the Cococotcha night.

The resident Russet-Backed Orapendula's. Amazing bird call to wake up to every morning and a sound I miss waking up to.

Recently I've joined the facebook page Next Generation Birders. Really good to find some people of a younger generation sharing an interest in birds. Ringers, twitchers and general birders. All a good laugh and some interesting debates.

Update

So last time I updated was apparently in June. I have been rather busy in the latter part of 2012. Unfortunatley it hasn't been entirely bird related but majority due to the joys of second year University work. (but being on an Ecology course I can't complain too much about that).

I will write up about my time at Spurn Bird Observatory however. I spent the best part of my August here this summer, and whilst not being there at the best time of year for migration I did get a lovely chunk of east coast migration during early Autumn migration.

I was around for the main movement of Willow Warblers through the area and also got some treats in the form of Pied Flycatchers and Redstarts being present throughout my stay. I also got some great and well need experience with seawatching, something I can't claim to have done much til that time. But doing tern counts every evening with the locals was one of my highlights, always willing to give a hand!

Being Spurn Bird Observatory, I managed to see a good bunch of species that I hadn't seen before (or ringed in some circumstances!) The first new species was on the first evening when I got a view of a Pomarine Skua at the seawatching hut. By the end of my stay I had also seen Long-tailed, Arctic and Great Skuas. White-rumped Sandpiper and American Golden Plover were species from over the Atlantic that also were around during my stay. I got my hands on one of the two Barred Warblers ringed during my stay, as well as an Icterine Warbler (my second in the UK, the first being at Icklesham last summer). I missed out on some of the later species that graced Spurn in later autumn (Red-brested Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Warbler etc) but you can't win them all!

I can't claim to have done much birding at Uni, but I have seen Stonechat and Dartford Warbler in the local Heathlands.

Right now I am having my last day in Bournemouth before christmas and tomorrow (technically today) I will be returning to Lincolnshire. With news of forgein ringed Lesser Redpolls and many a Brambling at the main winter sites I can imagine it will be a good christmas!

And technology finally reboots itself!

I'm back! My laptop has now decided I can infact use blogger once again (why I wasnt allowed to is a mystery) My last day of freshers life is upon me and hence this summer can be turned around from alcohol fuelled partying (and hard work...) to birding. C-permit will get an outting finally, with a Kestrel nest box I know to have at least 3 chicks in down the road I hope to begin as I mean to continue.

Will once again be spending as much time as possible out with Owls and Raptors pullus, having already ringed Peregrine chicks earlier on last month, hopefully it won't be the only highlight. I will also be spending my August at Spurn Head Bird Observatory on the Yorkshire Coastline. Cannot wait!

From another world!

My laptop has decided that updating my blog is on the list of things I cannot do anymore (Its a long list, my laptop has had it). So I update from the university library.

So birding wise its been rather slow recently as all the deadlines crash in on me. Missing the majority of the winter ringing down the fen is a big shame but I did get a little done when I briefly returned in February. Also seeing 8 Cranes fly over my home town (A special thing for me as I have never seen any before!). Bar this I have also been on my first bird ringing excursion on the South Coast with a Siskin session with the Christchurch Harbour ringing group at Blashford Lakes. Yet to join them again but plan to in the not too distant future.

Now back to the joy of biology write-ups. Good ol' enzymes!

LEGGIT 2011

Off raising money for charity for the weekend/ longer by blagging my way as far away from campus as possible. Who knows where I will end up and birds I will see. Very excited!

Winter wish list.

Birds I would like to catch up with this winter.
1) Whoopers and Bewicks at Welney would be loveeeely
2) A Wash wader spectacular something I still have never done but would love to.
3) Winter Finch ringing. Lets hope for another winter filled with Brambling and Redpoll!

They way things are going I won't be back home to go and do these things til middle of December so a little wait to come. Also need to get down to Portland Bill or Christchurch Harbour to explore the local avifauna soon.

Oh and not forgetting Waxwings. I would definitley like to see another few of them this winter.

I NEED TO RING!

Its now heading upto 2 months without ringing and its not a good thing!!! C permit now good and on its way so hopefully soon I'll be all ready to get some garden ringing done at the new house (which I have yet to visit, the family have moved since I've been at Uni but it looks promising!) Can't wait til I get get my hands on some more winter finches! Saying that I would settle for anything even a bitey blue tit.

A long awaited update!

I am now an Ecology and Wildlife Conservation student at Bournemouth University! I am on the hunt for a local ringing group but rather struggling with the lack of transport currently. Will keep you posted but not much is occuring currently. Went to Brownsea Island on the last day of September and saw 20+ Spoonbill, a nice south coast treat! Sandwich terns and Red squirrels also. Apologys for the lack of interesting news!

Icklesham 1-16th August.

A simply remarkable place! Had the best fun I'd had in ages and the 2 and a bit weeks flew by! Admittedly my sleep pattern is still not right after 4-30am alarm every morning for a few weeks and roosts most evenings, left me rather tired by the end of it all!

02/08-
Willow warbler
Gropper
Sedge warbler
Whitethroat
Reed warbler
Wren
Blue tit
20 birds ringed personally out of 60. Main site catching rather more birds.
Roost produced 3 Swallows and 2 Sand Martins. Been better roosts :P.

03/08
Willow warbler
Chiffchaff
Reed warbler
Sedge warbler
Whitethroat
Garden warbler
Blue tit
Lesser whitethroat
46 ringed out of 98. Main site 800+ !
Roost 74 Swallow, 17 Sand Martin. Ringed 11.

04/08
Wet and windy 8 birds, main site producing little also. no roost.

05/08
Morning total of 430+ for main site, Tree Pipit new species for myself.

Roost a lot more productive with 350+ Sand Martin's and 50+ Swallows.

06/08

59 at Alder Carr (Other site I mainly rung at) and 1100 at Mainsite with a 400 Roost. Very productive day! Nightingale finally ringed!





07/08
49 birds ringed personally, 450 caught at Main Site. Fairly quiet morning

08/08
Sedge Warbler
Willow Warlber
Reed Warbler
Gropper
Garden Warlber
Robin
Dunnock
Whitethroat.
56 birds ringed + 41 at roost. 97 ringed! Wow.

09/08
Gropper
Sand Martin
Whitethroat
Lesser White
Garden Warbler
Sedge Warbler
25 of 480+. 31 Sand Martins, 3 Swallows and 3 Yellow Wagtails ringed at Roost. YelWa being a new species. 62 birds ringed.

10/08
Garden Warbler
Whitethroat
Gropper
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Goldcrest
Willow Warbler
Blackcap
Lesser Whitethroat
Wren
Chiffchaff
63 bird ringed. 2 Reed Warblers requiring Walinder check for Marsh Warbler, unfortunatley both Reed Warblers. No Roost due to wind.

11/08 - No ringing due to bad weather. Day out in Hastings.

12/08
Reed Warbler
Garden Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Whitethroat
Willow Warbler
Wren
Gropper
(One Long Tailed Tit from Main site)
75 birds ringed today, 35 Sand Martins from roost.

(13/14)/08
My first experience of Wader ringing at Kings North Power Station near Medway was certainly a highlight of my stay, had a great night producing 5 new species for me!
Ringed Plover
Black tailed Godwit
Greenshank
Redshank
Dunlin
11 birds ringed but what a night!

Something interesting there Hugh? ;-)

15/08
I was told Monday mornings were good, maybe I should have taken it more seriously :P
Gropper
Whitethroat
House Sparrow
Reed Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
So thats the common stuff.
Whinchat
Tree Pipit
Redstart (new sp)
Not so common stuff.
Icterine Warbler
Marsh Warbler
Rarity form stuff. Both obviously new species.

WOAH! What a morning! Never did I expect to be able to ring either of those birds in the UK let alone as a T permit. Thanks so much to those who let me have both birds, still smiling a week on!

 An Icky from Icky :P

 Not so Reedy as Marshy. Can happily say I extracted this knowing it wasn't a Reed. Win!

Not ringed by myself but what an amazing bird to observe in the hand, a violent bird with a bit of a temper, had some interesting wing moult.

Did a little bit of ringing on 16th but bailed early to catch my Grandparents for a lift back to sunny Lincs. I can only keep thanking everyone at Icklesham for letting my stay and helping me get a grasp of there systems. Feeling like a very capable ringer right now! Oh and passed the exams and got a place at Bournemouth Uni. Hopefully some more south coast ringing to come!

Au revoir Bourne!

Back down to Icklesham tomorrow, Will keep a written diary as to update a day by day analysis when I get back. Now to try and use birds as an excuse to ignore impending results day (cries)

Forgein Controls!

I also bring news of a Chaffinch to Norway and a Brambling to Denmark! Details when I remember to pick them up from the back of Alan's car...so in about 3 weeks :-P

Icklesham 12-18 July.

Once again life has been busy, birding and otherwise, meaning I haven't had a chance to keep this blog updated, so my apologies.

However I don't want to write to much as I am unaware on how strict where I have been ringing is on releasing news. What I can say is that I can now include Oystercatcher and Reed Warbler on my ring list, and have had an opportunity to get my eye in on fat and muscle scores. All good stuff! The place felt very scientific and it loved it! If only the weather had been a little better! Most of my time was spent wandering with the bins during the day (25 miles in 3 days of which I was rather proud of ;-) ). Due to the amount of learning done, I got few photos of actual birds, however I'll put up a couple of scenic landscape shots when I next have a chance.

Also a short trip to Dunsby Sewage Treatment Works (first of the year) earlier this week turned out to be rather unsucessful and ended up in going Owling, not that I am complaining!

Back down south on Monday, and news is good for numbers picking up. Very excited!

Raptor Heaven

So after Buzzard's a few weeks back, my raptor list is pretty impressive for someone only ringing 18 months. Kestrel, Barn, Little and Tawny Owls being regulars it was nice to get Buzzards and Peregrine recently. But now I can add another two species to the list with Red kite and Marsh Harrier, both emmence birds!

Buzzards

Red Kite

Marsh Harrier

And not to forget the my second wader. Little Ringed Plover. Beauties!

Goodbye exams, hello summer!

Not much to update on, over the last 3 weeks I have been full on with exams so managed to sneak out only twice. Once to get Buzzard chicks, (great stuff) and then a full day to escape the revision. Managed to get 50 raptors in one day however. Had this weekend off for general partying and releasing steam but looks like I could have a new bird for tomorrow. Watch this space ;-)

House Martins!

1st June, off to ring Hirundines! We arrived at a gorgeous farm house perfect for House Martins and there were possibly as many as 30 nests. We hastily put the nets up despite the wind being rather strong and the sun beaming down. Got around 12 birds but with 50+ flying around, a possible return visit could be very productive...

Peregrines 27/05/2011

What a morning! After reaching St Wulframs in Grantham, we took some time to scope the male bird to check for rings. Turns out he isnt ringed. The Female is a known bird ringed as a chick in Lancs.

Mrs Peg

Ever since I was little I've never been particularly good with heights, so climbing the spiral staircase to the roof wasnt a life highlight by any means. However after accending the church the sight of 3 plump chicks was excellent.

Nightingales, Owls galore and the odd Kestrel too!

After a couple of weeks of silence I shall elaborate on what has been a productive period of time.

30/04- Owl season is is starting to liven up. Little Owls being the main target as these are single brood early nesters.

Nice start to the day, what a beauty!

One of 53 females this year so far.

Personally one of my favourite shots, the 'Owlman' with his owls.

Thats a photo of each of the targetted species for Bob, Alan, I and others in the summer.

12/05 A new 'Ring Tick'.

This one involved boats, an added complication but a good laugh! Little Egret's were the target, very lovely little chicks to ring, an added bonus as I did my first at the same time as Alan did his!



14/05- Nightingales take two!

After another earlyish start we went on search of the same Nightingale that had evaded us previous attempt. With prior knowledge the bird was likely to be a retrap of last years individual, my spirits remained undamped as to glance upon the best of british bird songstars in the hand.

A good Whitethroat comparison shot, Common on the left, Lesser to the right.

Next came Mr Nightingale, a retrap as I expected, the 100th bird to be ringed by the group since its beginnings.

After the sucessful completition of missing Nightingale we decided to have a run around the Tawny boxes and pick off the few remaining chicks unrung in Bob's boxes. It has been a great year with 60+ birds ringed.

Cute as you like!
And finally onto today 22/05. We started by doing the tit boxes in the local woods with a near enough 100% occupancy (but not quite, weirdly enough box number 13 was empty, talk about unlucky for some!)

After getting through the tits, we went and did a bit of owling but with an added little ring tick surprise!

Lapwing chick, few and far between with the mass of corvids on the prowl. Another beautiful bird!

So ends the update, Peregrine chicks loom on yonder horizon...