Owls about that

A couple of days out with Andy checking Owl Boxes. 4 Breeding Pairs of Barn Owl in our boxes so far, including Dark Breasted today .

Also Tawny's and Kestrel.

An end to another busy week with other species including Goosander, Mandarin

Wheatear, Linnet, Treesparrow, Blackcap, chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Bullfinch and

2 Male Pied Flycatcher . One of which was a Control, ringed on 8.6.2007, at Priddock Wood, Derbyshire, SK2086. Distance of 35km.

Wheatears and Warblers

A steady couple of days with a visit to Whiteholme and Elland Gravel Pits. I set up for Wheatear at Whiteholme as there have been 4 about the same area for the last week. The Birds were more interested in having a bath then the free meal worms on offer. After about 2 hours one came in had a quick bath turned round and took the worm.

Yesterday set two nets up at Elland Gravel Pits, a nice still morning .

Blackcap and Willow Warblers were ringed.

Whiteholme reservoir

Went up to Whiteholme this morning , to check on Twite it was to wet to set up nets so i did a spot of watching, i had up to 15 at one stage on the feeding station . Also 11 Dunlin on the shore with 1 Sanderling. As i went back the rain stopped and i thought i would try for Common Sandpiper so i set up some spring traps. And with in the hour i had ringed one. As always they seem so small in the hand compared to when i have taken photos of them.

A Busy Start

A busy start to the Nest Box season with Pete and Andy out checking nearly all the boxes in the wharfedale area, and it looks like its going to be a good year with Tawny boxes nearly all in use. Also the Goosander Pete let me ring 2 years ago has returned to her Tree some 20 ft up and is on 13 eggs. check out link from 2 years ago.

http://training-to-ring-birds.blogspot.com/2006_05_01_archive.html

We have Kestrels in Tawny Owl boxes and Tawny Owl in Kestrel Boxes??

Also more Linnets ringed at Ringstone edge reservoir today bringing the total so far to 73 new birds and 1 control.

Barn Owls

Pete and Andy were out checking Boxes last night and had a male Barn Owl in one of them which was ringed as a chick by the south Notts RG in 2007. it was ringed SE of Nottingham .

Distance of 157km .Fantastic.

Twite

Ringstone edge yesterday. a good morning with two more Twite ringed and another 10 Linnets plus Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Gt Tits.

other birds about,

Willow Warbler

Redshank

Golden Plover

Lapwing

Curlew

Grey Herons

LBB Gull

Deer Hill Today saw the return of the Suffolk Twite that Andy and i controlled last August back again, another winter survived.

16 Twite with 7 new birds ringed , 1 Suffolk control and 8 retraps from august last year.

ooh and a LINNET.

Week ends with a bonus

A very mixed week with hours spent at Deer Hill on Wednesday with only 3 Twite seen and none on feeding station. Friday i spent at Elland Gravel Pits with 3 more Chiffchaff ringed and that was it no sign of Whitethroats or Garden Warblers yet. Saturday didnt bother as wind was so bad decided to go see the White-fronted Goose at Lumbutts. Today went to ringstone edge to get me a few more Linnets before they all move on to breeding grounds. And would you believe it a flock of 20+ Twite turned up with them . A good end to a slow week with 10 Twite 6 new birds and 4 controls 3 from Deer Hill 1 from Lighthazzels{whiteholme}. Also Greenfinches Goldfinches and more Linnets . 46 Linnets Ringed so Far at Ringstone edge reservoir and 1 Control.

Twite at Ringstone edge

Elland Gravel Pits

Decided to take a look at EGP this morning, more of a recce to find out where are some good net rides. A lot of work has taken place new paths and such. I set 1 30 ft net just past the river bridge at 7:30 and ringed 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Willow Warbler. By 0930 nothing else had happened so i packed up and headed to Ringstone.

7 More Linnets Ringed and a Control RING NUMBER T525060 .

Also 5 Goldfinch and 2 Greenfinch.