Sunday at the bay provided a good number of birds with two particular talking points. The first was two Redpolls which graced us with their presence. Not a new species to the bay ringing totals but most definitely note worthy. Cue obligatory picture of said species in the hand:
Cello?
The biggest surprise, however, turned out to be one of those Troglodytes things. Wrens are exactly rare, but this one took us a little by surprise. Some head scratching was the initial reaction from a certain Wheatear specialist, as he looked upon a wren with plumage characters of age class 3 but apparently with a re-feathering brood patch. You species specialists! Hey presto it was a three undergoing a body moult. Honestly, what kind of parents rears their young in February/March?
Meanwhile this week a certain Cardiff Ringer, who is known to masquerade as a GP when drunkenly agreeing to join a softball team, scored the group’s first Acrocephalus warbler in the form of a Sedgie at Cosmeston. It’s always good to see the stripey ones back in the country.
One Hirundine obsessed CR has been doing his usual of checking out his favourite rustica site in search of the fork-tailed ones but we are assured this will be covered shortly – you can hardly wait can you…
How do i become a bird ringer?
ReplyDeleteCardiff Clive,
ReplyDeleteYou'd need to find a trainer who will teach you the process. Training is a long process, however, and your "apprenticeship" could take up to two years or longer before you qualify, so you need to be fully committed from the outset. It involves a lot of very early mornings too!
The link below gives information on training to be a ringer and help with locating a trainer.
http://btoweb01.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/ringing/taking-part/learn-ring
Dear Sir,
ReplyDeleteThat is not a viola. Indeed, drawing on my extensive experience of the violin family, I would stick my neck out and say that is also neither a violin, violoncello nor double bass. With a little trepidation, I would suggest it may actually be a bird.