Wenlock Edge Nest Box Summary 2011

A total of 412 pulli were ringed ( 24 Marsh Tit, 244 Blue Tit, 123 Great Tit, 13 Nuthatch, 5 Pied Flycatcher and 3 Redstart ). More detailed information below:

Species Summary with Survival Rates 
Overall totals 2011

Species    Nest   (Total Eggs Pulli Fledge) (Avg. Eggs Pulli Fledge) (% egg/pulli survival ; % pulli/fledge ; % egg/fledge ) 

Lilleshall Quarry
 Blue Tit             1     9     9      8      (      9.0    9.0   8.0  )  (  100.0%           88.9%             88.9%  )
 Great Tit           2    10    9      2      (      5.0    4.5   1.0  )  (    90.0%           22.2%             20.0%  )
 Marsh Tit          1     8     8      8      (      8.0    8.0   8.0  )  (  100.0%          100.0%           100.0% )
 Nuthatch           1     7     6      5      (      7.0    6.0   5.0  )  (    85.7%           83.3%             71.4%  )
 Redstart            1     6     5      3      (      6.0    5.0   3.0  )  (    83.3%           60.0%             50.0%  )
 Totals:               6    40    37    26    (      6.7    6.2   4.3  )

Roman Bank
 Blue Tit             4    37    35    35    (      9.3    8.8   8.8  )  (    94.6%          100.0%            94.6%  )
 Great Tit           5    30    30    28    (      6.0    6.0   5.6  )  (    100.0%          93.3%            93.3%  )
 Totals:               9    67   65     63   (       7.4    7.2   7.0  )

Wenlock Edge NT feeding station
 Blue Tit             4    29   25     24    (      7.3    6.3    6.0 )  (     86.2%           96.0%            82.8%  )
 Great Tit           3    20   19     19    (      6.7    6.3    6.3 )  (     95.0%         100.0%            95.0%  )
 Nuthatch           2    13    7       7     (      6.5    3.5    3.5 )  (     53.8%         100.0%            53.8%  )
 Totals:               9    62   51     50    (      6.9    5.7    5.6 )

Wenlock Edge Nest Boxes
 Blue Tit            22  210 189  189    (      9.5    8.6    8.6 )  (      90.0%        100.0%            90.0% )
 Great Tit           7     61   57    56    (      8.7    8.1    8.0 )  (      93.4%           98.2%           91.8% )
 Marsh Tit          2    16   16     16    (      8.0    8.0    8.0 )  (     100.0%       100.0%          100.0% )
 Pied Flycatcher 1      8     5      5     (      8.0    5.0    5.0 )  (      62.5%        100.0%            62.5% )

Disappointing weather and ringing

Thursday 29th December 2011:

Not a great forecast, but ended up wetter than expected, so ringing heavily curtailed. Linda, Dave and I only managed to put up hedge nets.
Totals for the day: Greenfinch 5, Blue Tit 5, Dunnock 1, Great Tit 2, Reed Bunting 1, GS Woodpecker 1

Lots of Greenfinch at Chelmarsh

Saturday 24th December 2011:

Hedge nets and roost nets in reedbed ( Joe, Dave y yo ). Quite a few large finch flocks overhead - mainly Goldfinch and some Redpoll. In the feeding station lots and lots of Greenfinch.
Birds caught: Greenfinch 19, Blue Tit 6, Great Tit 4, Reed Bunting 13, Dunnock 1, Chaffinch 1, GSWoodpecker 1, Long-tailed Tit 3, Song Thrush 1
Very mild weather - no chance of a white Christmas this time !

Chelmarsh - varied catch and a big ( little ) surprise !

Sunday 18th December 2011:

Joe, James and Dave braving the cold - c 3 degrees - last day of recent cold snap.
Birds caught: 27 Reed Bunting, 10 Great Tit, 8 Blue Tit, 7 Greenfinch,  2 Blackbird, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Bullfinch, 2 Dunnock, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Waterrail AND .... 1 Chiffchaff !!! Good luck to it - but clearly has survived bitter cold of the last week or so. It was an adult and in good health - 8.8g. First such record at Chelmarsh !

Waterrail was a bird first ringed in 2007 and subsequently captured again in 08, 09, 10 ... Happily it survived both 09-10 and 10-11 winters - when caught in the former it was about half its normal body weight !

Greenfinch control from Hilbre Island

Species: Greenfinch          Scheme: GBT          Ring no: TB74483

Ringing details

Age: 3  Sex: female  Sex meth: -  P.ringed: -  P.alive: -  Condition: -

Colour marks added: -  Metal marks added: -  Act1: -  Act2: -

Ringing date: 01-Nov-2010

Reg code: ---  Place code: HILBRE  Site name: Hilbre Island, Wirral, Merseyside

County code: GBMER  Grid ref: SJ1887   Co-ords: 53deg 22min N  3deg 14min W

Hab1: H3  Hab2: --

Biometrics: Wing: 85 mm.   Weight: 26.8 g.   Time: 1040hrs

Remarks:

Ringer: Hilbre Bird Observatory, 9047

Finding details

Ring not verified  Age: 2  Sex: F  Sex meth: -

Colour marks added: -    Metal marks added: -    Act1: -  Act2: -

Finding date: 11-Aug-2011

Reg code: ---  Place code: MUCHW  Site name: Much Wenlock, Shropshire

County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO6299   Co-ords: 52deg 35min N  2deg 34min W

Hab1: F3  Hab2: --

Biometrics: Wing: 84 mm.   Weight: 27.7 g.   Time: 0930hrs

Finding condition: 8:20  Movement: --

Controlled    Intentionally Taken

Remarks:

Duration: 283 days    Distance: 98 km    Direction: 153deg (SSE)

Finder: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193

Goldfinch controlled in the Basque Country, Spain

Species: Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis         Scheme: GBT          Ring no: Y090559

Ringing details

Age: 4  Sex: female  Sex meth: B  P.ringed: -  P.alive: -  Condition: -

Colour marks added: -  Metal marks added: -  Act1: A  Act2: -

Ringing date: 13-Jun-2011

Reg code: ---  Place code: BNORTH  Site name: Bridgnorth, Shropshire

County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7093 Accuracy 1  Co-ords: 52deg 32min N  2deg 27min W Accuracy 1

Hab1: F2  Hab2: --

Biometrics: Wing: 75 mm.   Weight: 15.6 g.   Time: 0815hrs

Remarks:

Ringer: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193

Finding details

Ring not verified  Age: -  Sex: F  Sex meth: -

Colour marks added: -    Metal marks added: -    Act1: -  Act2: -

Finding date: 12-Nov-2011

Reg code: ---  Place code: ---  Site name: Astigarraga, Guipúzcoa, Spain

County code: ES02  Grid ref: ------   Co-ords: 43deg 17min N  1deg 57min W

Hab1: --  Hab2: --

Biometrics: Wing: -- mm.   Weight: -- g.   Time: --hrs

Finding condition: 7:99  Movement: --

Alive: released    Unknown Circumstances

Remarks:

Duration: 152 days    Distance: 1029 km    Direction: 178deg (S)

Finder: San Sebastian

House Sparrow, Great Tit and Blue Tit dead recoveries

Species: House Sparrow          Scheme: GBT          Ring no: TL73282

Ringing details

Age: 2  Sex: male  Sex meth: -  P.ringed: -  P.alive: -  Condition: -

Colour marks added: -  Metal marks added: -  Act1: A  Act2: -

Ringing date: 21-Nov-2010

Reg code: ---  Place code: BNORTH  Site name: Bridgnorth, Shropshire

County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7093 Accuracy 1  Co-ords: 52deg 32min N  2deg 27min W Accuracy 1

Hab1: F2  Hab2: --

Biometrics: Wing: 77 mm.   Weight: 24.9 g.   Time: 0930hrs

Remarks:

Ringer: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193

Finding details

Ring not verified  Age: 4  Sex: -  Sex meth: -

Colour marks added: -    Metal marks added: -    Act1: -  Act2: -

Finding date: 23-Apr-2011

Reg code: ---  Place code: BNORTH  Site name: Bridgnorth, Shropshire

County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7093 Accuracy 1  Co-ords: 52deg 32min N  2deg 27min W Accuracy 1

Hab1: F2  Hab2: --

Biometrics: Wing: -- mm.   Weight: -- g.   Time: --hrs

Finding condition: 2:01  Movement: --

Freshly dead    Bird Found

Remarks:

Duration: 153 days    Distance: 0 km    Direction: 0deg (---)

Finder: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193

Species: Blue Tit          Scheme: GBT          Ring no: X448027

Ringing details

Age: 3  Sex: unknown  Sex meth: -  P.ringed: -  P.alive: -  Condition: -

Colour marks added: -  Metal marks added: -  Act1: A  Act2: -

Ringing date: 16-Nov-2008

Reg code: ---  Place code: SVCP  Site name: Severn Valley Country Park, Shropshire

County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7584   Co-ords: 52deg 27min N  2deg 22min W

Hab1: B1  Hab2: G2

Biometrics: Wing: 63 mm.   Weight: 11 g.   Time: 1345hrs

Remarks:

Ringer: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193

Finding details

Ring not verified  Age: 4  Sex: -  Sex meth: -

Colour marks added: -    Metal marks added: -    Act1: -  Act2: -

Finding date: 20-Apr-2011

Reg code: ---  Place code: SVCP  Site name: Severn Valley Country Park, Shropshire

County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7584   Co-ords: 52deg 27min N  2deg 22min W

Hab1: B1  Hab2: G2

Biometrics: Wing: -- mm.   Weight: -- g.   Time: --hrs

Finding condition: 3:27  Movement: --

Dead: Not fresh    At Nest Box

Remarks:

Duration: 885 days    Distance: 0 km    Direction: 0deg (---)

Finder: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193

Species: Great Tit          Scheme: GBT          Ring no: X954062

Ringing details

Age: 3  Sex: female  Sex meth: -  P.ringed: -  P.alive: -  Condition: -

Colour marks added: -  Metal marks added: -  Act1: A  Act2: -

Ringing date: 21-Dec-2009

Reg code: ---  Place code: SVCP  Site name: Severn Valley Country Park, Shropshire

County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7584   Co-ords: 52deg 27min N  2deg 22min W

Hab1: B1  Hab2: G2

Biometrics: Wing: 74 mm.   Weight: 19.7 g.   Time: 1445hrs

Remarks:

Ringer: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193

Finding details

Ring not verified  Age: -  Sex: -  Sex meth: -

Colour marks added: -    Metal marks added: -    Act1: -  Act2: -

Finding date: 15-Nov-2011

Reg code: ---  Place code: SVCP  Site name: Severn Valley Country Park, Shropshire

County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7584   Co-ords: 52deg 27min N  2deg 22min W

Hab1: --  Hab2:

Biometrics: Wing: -- mm.   Weight: -- g.   Time: --hrs

Finding condition: 1:27  Movement: --

Dead    At Nest Box

Remarks: In nesting box

Duration: 694 days    Distance: 0 km    Direction: 0deg (---)

Wenlock Edge National Trust ringing

Saturday 10th December 2011:

Single net in Chris' garden by the bird hide - lots of tits immediately in there. Totals : Robin 1, Blue Tit 21, Coal Tit 3, Great Tit 9, Marsh Tit 3, Great-S Woodpecker 1

Not as many ringed birds as expected, but one Great Tit ringed as a pullus in 2010 

Bad light and rain stopped play at Chelmarsh and Severn Valley Country Park

Sunday 4th December 2011:

On a 50/50 forecast Dave and Joe went to Chelmarsh and ended up ringing a single Blackbird. That beats Linda and I who went to Severn Valley Country Park and didn't manage to put up a net as the rain set in ! Still, we established that the Reed Bunting roost is still going strong and we hope to go back some time soon.

Short garden session - too many Blue Tits !

Thursday 24th November 2011:

Lots of finches ( Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Brambling ) about so quick net session by the feeders. Birds hitting net before fully up, mainly tits ... then too many tits. In the end going in quicker than extracting ... great ! One session curtailed as more tits about. Not all wasted effort as a couple of Coal Tits, 3 Great Tits and close to a score of Blue Tits. Once net was down finches back, House Sparrow, Great-S Woodpecker etc. !

More work and another good roost at Chelmarsh

Sunday 20th November 2011:

Dave, Joe, James and Denise put up 9 roost nets. Again mainly Reed Buntings - 51 birds caught, this time a few more retraps ( 29% ). Also caught: 3 Starling, 2 Blackbird, 1 Blue Tit, 3 Robin and 12 Long Tailed Tit ( 8 of which were retraps ).

Conservation day and roost catch at Chelmarsh

Sunday 13th November 2011:
More strimming from Joe; Denise and I removed more crack willow from the scrape.
Dave and James arrives and so plenty of nets then put up - 5 in the remaining portion of reed-bed alongside scrape, 2 on scrape, 4 over Baxters.
Again Sparrowhawk bounced, again flock of Starlings ( approx 300 birds ) roosted elsewhere.
Totals: 29 Reed Bunting ( again almost all fresh birds suggesting ongoing movements ), 4 Redwing , 2 Pied Wagtail, 5 Blackbird and 1 Goldcrest

Dawn attempt on RAS site for House Sparrows ... scant success

Sunday 13th November 2011:
Following confirmation of usual roost site the evening before, it was early alarms and nets up before dawn. Only for dawn to arrive and birds to be absent and not obviously anywhere else on the farm !
Anyway, 3 House Sparrows ended up  being colour-ringed; other ringed birds were 2 Dunnock, 1 Robin and Blue Tit.
Other birds seen at farm or nearby: a Barn Owl on road back to Bridgnorth, a Tawny Owl was heard, a Sparrowhawk hunted along hedge, a Buzzard, several flocks of Redwing and Fieldfare.

Roost at Chelmarsh - more Reed Buntings and some near misses

Sunday 6th November 2011 :
Dave, Joe, James, Denise and I: 2 hedge nets, 5 in reedbed, 2 in corner of scrape.
Totals:  37 Reed Bunting, 1 Blackcap, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Blackbird, 1 Wren and 1 Bullfinch
Near misses : 2 Sparrowhawks hit net and escaped, 1 Moorhen caught but escaped as we approached and a roosting flock of c200 Starling dropped away from catching area ... we could have been much busier
First cold evening really - 5 degrees and falling by the finish

More Reed Buntings caught at roost and first Redwing

Sunday 30th October 2011:
Dave, Joe, Denise and James set up for roost catch and caught 42 Reed Bunting, 1 Song Thrush and our first Redwing of the year ...

Reed Bunting recovery

Species: Reed Bunting          Scheme: GBT          Ring no: L752112

Ringing details

Age: 4  Sex: Male  Sex meth: -  P.ringed: -  P.alive: -  Condition: -

Colour marks added: -  Metal marks added: -  Act1: R  Act2: -

Ringing date: 31-Dec-2010

Reg code: CHE  Place code: CHE  Site name: Chelmarsh Reservoir, near Bridgnorth, Shropshire

County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7387   Co-ords: 52deg 29min N  2deg 24min W

Hab1: C7  Hab2: G2

Biometrics: Wing: 76 mm.   Weight: 22.5 g.   Time: 1800hrs

Remarks:

Ringer: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193

Finding details

Ring not verified  Age: 4  Sex: M  Sex meth: C

Colour marks added: -    Metal marks added: -    Act1: -  Act2: -

Finding date: 16-Apr-2011

Reg code: ROS  Place code: ROS  Site name: Rostherne Mere, Knutsford, Cheshire

County code: GBCHE  Grid ref: SJ7484   Co-ords: 53deg 21min N  2deg 23min W

Hab1: G3  Hab2: C7

Biometrics: Wing: 78 mm.   Weight: 19.9 g.   Time: 1220hrs

Finding condition: 8:20  Movement: --

Controlled    Intentionally Taken

Remarks:

Duration: 106 days    Distance: 97 km    Direction: 1deg (N)

Finder: South Manchester RG, 9083

Excellent Sedge Warbler recovery

Species: Sedge Warbler          Scheme: GBT          Ring no: L329714

Ringing details

Age: 3  Sex: Unknown  Sex meth: -  P.ringed: -  P.alive: -  Condition: -

Colour marks added: -  Metal marks added: -  Act1: -  Act2: -

Ringing date: 01-Aug-2010

Reg code: CHE  Place code: CHE  Site name: Chelmarsh Reservoir, near Bridgnorth, Shropshire

County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7387   Co-ords: 52deg 29min N  2deg 24min W

Hab1: C7  Hab2: G2

Biometrics: Wing: 65 mm.   Weight: 11.3 g.   Time: 0730hrs

Remarks:

Ringer: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193

Finding details

Ring not verified  Age: 4  Sex: -  Sex meth: -

Colour marks added: -    Metal marks added: -    Act1: -  Act2: -

Finding date: 30-Jul-2011

Reg code: NSI  Place code: NSI  Site name: Newshot Island, West Dunbartonshire

County code: GBWDU  Grid ref: NS4870   Co-ords: 55deg 54min N  4deg 26min W

Hab1: E3  Hab2: C9

Biometrics: Wing: 66 mm.   Weight: 12 g.   Time: 0000hrs

Finding condition: 8:20  Movement: --

Controlled    Intentionally Taken

Remarks:

Duration: 363 days    Distance: 402 km    Direction: 341deg (NNW)

Finder: Clyde Ringing Group, 9024

Excellent Reed Warbler recovery

Species: Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus         Scheme: GBT          Ring no: L162463

Ringing details

Age: 3  Sex: Unknown  Sex meth: -  P.ringed: -  P.alive: -  Condition: -

Colour marks added: -  Metal marks added: -  Act1: -  Act2: -

Ringing date: 01-Aug-2010

Reg code: CHE  Place code: CHE  Site name: Chelmarsh Reservoir, near Bridgnorth, Shropshire

County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7387   Co-ords: 52deg 29min N  2deg 24min W

Hab1: C7  Hab2: G2

Biometrics: Wing: 65 mm.   Weight: 11.2 g.   Time: 0810hrs

Remarks:

Ringer: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193

Finding details

Ring not verified  Age: 3  Sex: -  Sex meth: -

Colour marks added: -    Metal marks added: -    Act1: -  Act2: -

Finding date: 28-Aug-2010

Reg code: ---  Place code: ---  Site name: Les Barthes-de-Quartier-Bas, Villefranque, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France

County code: FR30  Grid ref: ------   Co-ords: 43deg 27min N  1deg 28min W

Hab1: --  Hab2: --

Biometrics: Wing: -- mm.   Weight: -- g.   Time: --hrs

Finding condition: 8:20  Movement: --

Controlled    Intentionally Taken

Remarks:

Duration: 27 days    Distance: 1006 km    Direction: 177deg (S)

Finder: FRP Paris

More Reed Buntings at Chelmarsh

23 October 2011:

Dave and James with 5 nets only due to blustery conditions - 40 Reed Bunting, 3 Starling, 1 Bullfinch
Blog entry from Argentina ! More anon.

Barn Owl sighting at Chelmarsh ( and Starlings ! )

Tuesday 18th October:

After dark : fantastic sighting of Barn Owl as turned off main road onto track up to Dinney Farm. Followed it all the way along - stunning acrobatics along the hedgerow, lit up in the headlights.

Forgot to mention 40-50 Starlings looking to roost on Sunday - sadly not near the nets !

Another productive afternoon / roost at Chelmarsh

Sunday 16th October 2011:

Dave, Joe, James, myself and for the first time new trainee Denise ... hedge nets, three double nets in main bed and two doubles over Baxter's.

Good numbers, good birds caught : 1 Brambling , 57 Reed Bunting , 1 Pied Wagtail, 11 Blue Tit, 1 Yellowhammer, 5 Wren, 4 Robin, 4 Great Tit, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Song Thrush, 2 Blackbird, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Dunnock

House Sparrow RAS - no joy !

Thursday 13th October 2011:

Once again our RAS colour-ringing attempts to capture House Sparrows proved disappointing ... to say the least. Zero ! We have at least identified a very promising roost site for future attempts.
Despite many nets and good time investment, near perfect weather conditions, Linda and I only managed to catch: 2 Chaffinch, 4 Dunnock, 3 Blue Tit and a Robin !
Overhead: Skylark, Meadow Pipit moving and first Redwing and Fieldfares

Lots of Reed Buntings coming to roost at Chelmarsh

9th October 2011:

Joe and Dave managed to set 6 roost nets despite windy autumnal conditions.  Catch included 27 Reed Buntings, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Wren, 1 Blackbird, 4 Blue Tits, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Robin

Good catch at Chelmarsh at end of heatwave

2 October 2011:
Joe and Dave early morning catch led to the following: 12 Blackcap ( all with fat score 5 ), 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Blackbird, 3 Dunnock, 6 Blue Tit, 3 Bullfinch, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Robin, 1 Wren and 1 Great Tit
Last day of unseasonal heat - a week of temperatures hitting record highs 25 degrees and above.

Wood Pigeon recovery - must have missed a few cars and guns in that time !

Species: Woodpigeon          Scheme: GBT          Ring no: FB01281

Ringing details

Age: 6  Sex: Unknown  Sex meth: -  P.ringed: -  P.alive: -  Condition: -

Colour marks added: -  Metal marks added: -  Act1: A  Act2: -

Ringing date: 23-May-2001

Reg code: ---  Place code: ---  Site name: Iverley, Stourbridge, Staffordshire

County code: GBSTA  Grid ref: SO8881   Co-ords: 52deg 26min N  2deg 11min W

Hab1: F2  Hab2: --

Biometrics: Wing: 250 mm.   Weight: -- g.   Time: 0120hrs

Remarks:

Ringer: D W Fulton, 2889

Finding details

Ring not verified  Age: -  Sex: -  Sex meth: -

Colour marks added: -    Metal marks added: -    Act1: -  Act2: -

Finding date: 16-Aug-2011

Reg code: ---  Place code: ---  Site name: Iverley, Stourbridge, Staffordshire

County code: GBSTA  Grid ref: SO8881   Co-ords: 52deg 26min N  2deg 11min W

Hab1: --  Hab2: --

Biometrics: Wing: -- mm.   Weight: -- g.   Time: --hrs

Finding condition: 2:12  Movement: --

Freshly dead    Crop Protection - Shot:

Remarks:

Duration: 3737 days    Distance: 0 km    Direction: 0deg (---)

Short evening session at Chelmarsh - nice variety

25th September 2011:

Linda and I put up hedge net and 3 nets for roost catch. Reports of plenty of hirundines passing through during day, but ominously quiet late afternoon and into evening.
Tape lure for warblers successful, but not much about to draw in for the roost.
In the end the following were caught: 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Dunnock, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Swallow, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Robin, 1 Blackbird, 1 Bullfinch

Straggler migrants as part of a varied catch at Chelmarsh

15th September 2011:
Dave, Liz and first visit from Kat set up and by the time I got there had 2 hedge nets and 4 roost nets in operation and a good number of birds already ringed. By the finish we'd had  the following: 2 Blue Tit, 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Yellowhammer, 3 Dunnock, 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldfinch, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Great Tit, 2 Snipe ( nice surprise ), 2 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 1 Wren and 3 Pied Wagtail.
The Grey Phalarope had disappeared earlier this morning ...

Ringing demonstration brings in a few good warblers

8th September 2011:
After the stormy weather earlier in the week and ahead of its return this weekend, nice to be able to do a ringing demonstration for some young students wanting to see birds 'up close' as part of an RSPB project and qualification. We caught several species and had time to talk about migration and moult strategies. Birds caught were: 1 Robin, 16 Chiffchaff, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Blackbird and 1 Blue Tit.
Dave, Liz y yo.
Lots of House Martin overhead and a couple of Kingfisher across the scrape.
Thanks for the cake too !

Good early morning Warbler numbers - wash out roost attempt later

4th September 2011:
Just time and personnel for 3 hedge nets especially given rain in the air  - Dave, James and Liz - led to a total of 47 birds ( 9 Blackcap, 18 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler plus 2 Treecreeper ( ringing tick for James ), 5 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 6 Long-tailed Tit and 2 Dunnock ).
Linda and I attempted a roost catch - but were washed out after catching a few birds earlier - 1 Bullfinch, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin, 1 Wren )

Swallows on the phone lines

3rd September 2011:
Much Wenlock - 250+ Swallows on the wires - noisy and great to see. Net by main pond and feeders yielded a single Chiffchaff and then garden birds - 6 Blue Tits, 1 Robin, 1 Dunnock and 1 colour-ringed House Sparrow.
Other birds about: Goldfinch coming down to pond; Long-tailed Tit flocks

Lovely evening and good ringing at Chelmarsh

1st September 2011:

Calm clear conditions. Tony reported that there had been a good influx early morning. It seemed quiet by the start at 5.30pm-ish, but the first bird out of the hedge net was a Lesser Whitethroat. After that good variety in that area with 2 young Bullfinch, 1 Great Tit, 1 Blackcap and a total of 7 Chiffchaff.

After little luck recently at roosts Linda and I set up the nets in the main bed and put on the tapes a little earlier than previously. After two rounds we had the following: 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Whitethroat, 22 Swallow ( mostly juvenile ) , 1 Sand Martin and having heard at least one bird earlier, a Kingfisher.

Other birds seen or heard : Green Sandpiper, Grey Heron

Slightly better fortunes

30th August 2011:
Ringing session in back garden brought 3 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, a colour-ringed House Sparrow, a Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler with fat score 4.

Short garden session curtailed by increasing breeze

29th August 2011:
The cool, breezy ( north westerly ) autumn continues and looks set for the week. In short time available 4 Blue Tits, a juvenile Goldfinch ( several birds drinking at pond ) and a Chiffchaff.
Some Long Tailed Tits in the garden.

Oh dear - not the best Sunday's ringing

28th August 2011:
Chelmarsh early start cancelled due to heavy rain. Wenlock Edge ringing session to coincide with guided walk results in a big zero until the very end with 2 young Blue Tits !
Birds seen from the hide a little better: Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Nuthatch, a Sparrowhawk attack, Jay.

Reed Bunting recovery

Species: Reed Bunting          Scheme: GBT          Ring no: X954319

Ringing details

Age: 4  Sex: Male  Sex meth: -  P.ringed: -  P.alive: -  Condition: -

Colour marks added: -  Metal marks added: -  Act1: R  Act2: -

Ringing date: 31-Dec-2010

Reg code: CHE  Place code: CHE  Site name: Chelmarsh Reservoir, near Bridgnorth, Shropshire

County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7387   Co-ords: 52deg 29min N  2deg 24min W

Hab1: C7  Hab2: G2

Biometrics: Wing: 78 mm.   Weight: 22.4 g.   Time: 1930hrs

Remarks:

Ringer: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193

Finding details

Ring not verified  Age: 4  Sex: M  Sex meth: -

Colour marks added: -    Metal marks added: -    Act1: -  Act2: -

Finding date: 30-Jun-2011

Reg code: OAK  Place code: OAK  Site name: Oakley, near Martin Hussingtree, Worcestershire

County code: GBWOR  Grid ref: SO8960   Co-ords: 52deg 14min N  2deg 10min W

Hab1: C7  Hab2: E1

Biometrics: Wing: 78 mm.   Weight: 20.7 g.   Time: 1800hrs

Finding condition: 8:20  Movement: --

Controlled    Intentionally Taken

Remarks:

Duration: 181 days    Distance: 32 km    Direction: 151deg (SSE)

Finder: Dr P R Holmes, 2485

Pied Flycatcher recovery

Species: Pied Flycatcher          Scheme: GBT          Ring no: L329516

Ringing details

Age: 1  Sex: Unknown  Sex meth: -  P.ringed: 8  P.alive: 8  Condition: -

Colour marks added: -  Metal marks added: -  Act1: -  Act2: -

Ringing date: 07-Jun-2010

Reg code: ---  Place code: BUCK  Site name: Bucknell Wood, Shropshire

County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO3374 Accuracy 1  Co-ords: 52deg 21min N  2deg 59min W Accuracy 1

Hab1: A1  Hab2: --

Biometrics: Wing: -- mm.   Weight: -- g.   Time: --hrs

Remarks:

Ringer: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193

Finding details

Ring not verified  Age: 4  Sex: F  Sex meth: B

Colour marks added: -    Metal marks added: -    Act1: N  Act2: -

Finding date: 30-May-2011

Reg code: DHI  Place code: DHI  Site name: Ddol-hir, near Pandy, Wrexham

County code: GBWRE  Grid ref: SJ2036   Co-ords: 52deg 55min N  3deg 11min W

Hab1: A1  Hab2: --

Biometrics: Wing: -- mm.   Weight: -- g.   Time: --hrs

Finding condition: 8:27  Movement: --

Controlled    At Nest Box

Remarks:

Duration: 357 days    Distance: 65 km    Direction: 348deg (NNW)

Finder: Merseyside RG, 9058

Plenty of finches - Much Wenlock

24th August 2011:
Another short garden netting session by main pond and feeders leading to a few ringed Goldfinch and Greenfinch. Also a couple of Blackcap and a Chiffchaff, none of which had any fat reserves.

Short garden netting session - Much Wenlock

23rd August 2011:
Brief netting session by main garden pond and feeders : adult Dunnock well on with its primary moult, juvenile Lesser Whitethroat caught again ( previously 19th ), a female House Sparrow colour-ringed and a juvenile Goldfinch.
Other bird interest: Bullfinch, Chiffchaff, House Martin and Swallow numbers high towards roost time.