Otley Gravel Pits,Friday27/Sunday29

Out with Theo on both days, the first Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler processed today, along with Blackbird, Reed Buntings, Willow Warblers, Blue Tits, Gt Tits, Chaffinch, Robins and Long Tailed Tits.

Ellington Banks, East Dales Ringing Group

Got to Ellington Back near Ripon for 8 o'clock { a Lye-in} . Warblers singing everywhere as we set up was a good sign, Specie's caught were Willow Warblers, Blackcap, Reed Bunting, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Robin, Coal Tit, Willow Tit, Goldcrest, Bullfinch, Wren, Treecreeper and a nice Tree Pipit. Thanks to everyone involved.

Twite, Deer Hill, Huddersfield

Started of at Whiteholme reservoir at 07:30 with Dave. After two hours of very little 2 Twite both recapures we moved off to Deer Hill, Where 9 New birds were proccesed and not one of the 30 we rang last month to be seen. As we where about to pack up a Buzzard flew right over the ringing station and of towards Wholestone Moor.

Warblers

Up at 5:15 off to meet Andy at Otley Gravel Pits hopefully to get some off the first batch of Warblers returning. First bird in the nets was a Willow Wabler followed by Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcaps both male. In and amongst we got Blackbirds , Gt Tit, Wren, Blue Tit, Chaffinch and Robin , we ended with a retrap Willow Warbler ring number BNC608 we rang on 17 May last year in the same net ride as to day, AMAZING.

thanks to Andy for another great morning

Herring Gull, Isle of Man.

While on Holiday in the isle of Man i noticed a Herring Gull in Peel Harbour with a ring on . I took a couple of shots and got the ring number. I sent the details to Dave Sowter who spends a lot of time ringing Gulls. Dave got back to me straight away telling me the Herring Gull was ringed as a juvenile in Dublin back in 1987. 20 Years old fantastic and very happy taking scraps out of the fishing boats nets. Cheers Dave for the info.

Twite Cant Clough

Met up with Dave at Cant Clough Reservior at 7:30. Twite and Goldfinch on feeding station straight away. 41 Birds Processed . Twite, 30 recaputures 3 New Birds. Goldfinch , 6 New birds and 2 recaptures. One of the Twite was a Thornham bird ringed as nestling at Cant Clough and I'm attaching the full history of the bird that has wintered each year at Thornham but also returned to its natal area each summer since Andre ringed it as a nestling.

Thornham Bird

Recapture History
Ring Age/
numbe Typ Condition Date Init Details
Twite
R547987 N 1 04/06/04 AND Cant Clough resr, Hurstwood, R547987 R 3M Recaptured 04/08/04 DJS Cant Clough resr, Hurstwood,
R547987 R 3M Recaptured 22/08/04 DJS Cant Clough resr, Hurstwood,
R547987 R 3M Recaptured 22/08/04 DJS Cant Clough resr, Hurstwood, R547987 R 3M Recaptured 31/08/04 DJS Cant Clough resr, Hurstwood,
R547987 S 3 Sighted (R) 26/11/04 BKR Thornham, Norfolk
R547987 R 5M Recaptured 25/04/05 AND Cant Clough resr, Hurstwood,
R547987 R 5M Recaptured 26/04/05 AND Cant Clough resr, Hurstwood, R547987 O 5 Sighted (R) 30/11/05 MOS Thornham, Norfolk
R547987 S 7 Sighted 21/01/06 PLE Thornham, Norfolk
R547987 O 4 Sighted (R) 02/04/06 DS Cant Clough resr, Hurstwood,
R547987 R 4M Recaptured 17/04/06 DS Cant Clough resr, Hurstwood,
R547987 S 4 Sighted (R) 05/01/07 UF4 Thornham, Norfolk

R547987 R 6M Recaptured 05/04/07 Ds Cant Clough


Also one of the Twite individually ringed at Flyflats on the 6 January 2007 with Dark blue above metal was at Cant Clough today .

So 1 at Cant Clough , 1 Light Blue above metal at Whiteholme , and 1Red above metal still at Flyflatts.

High Batts , East Dales ringing club

Another good day at High Batts, with over 70 birds processed. Species being, Yellow Hammer, Tree Sparrow, Tree Creeper, Gt Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Gt Tit, Long Tailed Tit and Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Blackbird and Goldfinch. Thanks to everybody who was there for a great day.

comparing ages of Yellow Hammer

Marsh Tit