Grand Slam Ringing

Having barely recovered from the weekend's exuberances, CJ and Anthony spent a pleasant sunny Monday morning down at the Bay.  The BTO have asked us all to be careful what images we post, but I couldn't resist this picture showing Anthony being cruelly abused once again, this time by a pair of Magpies.

 Also ringed today was a Moorhen, which I believe may be only the third trapped at the Bay.

You looking at me?

Further evidence of the onset of Spring, other than the increasingly uncivilised earliness of sunrise, was provided by the first three Chiffchaffs of the year, and variety came in the form of our first Sparrowhawk for quite some time.

Hat Trick!

The God’s of ringing clearly got up on the right side of bed this morning, delivering three new species to “the office site”. First up, Song Thrush; regularly seen around the industrial estate that hosts the site, but today was the first time one has ventured in to the nets.

The second newbie was somewhat larger; Magpies aren’t often caught by us so it was nice to get one today. Magpies are beautiful birds, especially up close – just look at their iridescent green tails or blue wings.



That beak is as strong as it looks.



Granted, much more amazing in real life.

There was an intention of showing the aging criteria for the species, but the camera was in a fickle, fickle mood. So this is the next best thing:



From Svensson (1992) - today's bird had a first primary

like the on on the left making it and adult. The second

primary also aids with aging; the black tip to the feather

is only 3-15mm in adults, but 16-47mm in juvs and the

border between the white and black is not as distinct.



The outing to the office site was actually aimed at Mistle Thrush. There have been plenty about the place recently, but as the morning wore on with no Mistles in sight it began to look less and less likely. However, in true Hollywood style, just as the rain came in and the nets were about to be taken down, one bird found its way in to one! Only the 10th we've ringed.

The only other bird caught was a retrap Great Tit, with a Lotti flock and a Bite* of Blue Tits skilfully evading the nets.

*term for more than one blue tit.



1 for joy, 2 for more joy, three for... you get the picture

A trip to the bay yesterday and 51 more birds in the bag - well several bags, not all at the same time, and they were only in them a short while.

Among the morning's customers was this fella:



No not scruff ginger beard on the right, the one on the left.



Yes, this one.


Magpies aren't the easiest of birds to catch, with this being only the fifth we've caught down the bay.

(And a Lesser Redpoll, CJ Ed.)