First hirundine roost catch at Chelmarsh

Wednesday 25th July:

Linda, Dave and I decided to have a go having seen small flocks in the evenings. Three nets up on the new ride by the hide. Good numbers came in.

Total: 34 Swallow ( mainly juveniles ), 14 Sand Martin ( only 1 juvenile , unusually so in recent years when we normally catch young : adult nearly 10:1 ), 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Robin, 2 Blue Tit

Nice variety in back garden

Sunday 22nd July 2012:

Early evening session with a net up by main pond and another by big feeder.

1 Great Tit, 2 House Sparrow ( colour ringed ), 2 Dunnock, 1 Blackbird, 2 Wren, 3 Blue Tit, 3 Greenfinch, 1 Goldfinch

Very quiet at Chelmarsh once again

Sunday 22nd July 2012:

At last proper good weather ... but too late ?  6 nets at far side of reserve for 3 hours - all excellent locations based on last year's activity. Also two hedge nets.

Very quiet: 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler ( retraps from previous years ), 2 Song Thrush ( juveniles ), 2 Dunnock ( juveniles ) and 1 Robin

If this is the picture up-and-down the country, then it really has been a wash-out !

Garden session leads to a few colour-ringed Sparrows

Friday 20th July 2012:

Much Wenlock garden:

A small net by large feeder led to 10 House Sparrows, 3 juvenile Dunnock and 1 Great Tit. A similar attempt next morning yielded zero ! Canny those House Sparrows !

Another quiet evening at Chelmarsh

Thursday 19th July 2012:

No rain, no wind ... at last ... but very little bird noise or activity. Three nets at edge of scrape by hide plus two along the path and one in the hedge.

4 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Dunnock, 2 Robin, 1 Blue Tit

Wise man stay in Walsall

Wed 18th July 2012:

Since getting his 'C' licence James has been netting regularly in his urban garden at Cheslyn Hay ... and doing well !

1 Blackbird, 4 Starling, 2 Robin, 4 Great Tit, 3 House Sparrow, 3 Goldfinch,     1 Dunnock, 3 Greenfinch, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Blue Tit and 1 Chiffchaff

Work at Chelmarsh, and not too many warblers

Sunday 15th July 2012:

Dave, Joe and I began restoring the walkways with some heavy lifting, drilling and the like. Four nets were put up on the far side of the reserve but despite quite a bit of song, not many birds caught:

4 Sedge Warbler ( juveniles , so at least one nest wasn't a wash out ! ) and 4 Reed Warblers.

An interesting article from The Independent suggesting poor breeding all across the board:

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/nature_studies/nature-studies-by-michael-mccarthy-rain-stopped-play--why-birds-arent-breeding-in-the-wet-7912503.html?dm_i=IG4,VKOX,39GWVM,2MOO8,0

A brief spell of ringing at Chelmarsh

Sunday 8th July 2012:

A morning session , ironically hindered by sunshine and later a strengthening wind. Joe, Dave and I placed two hedge nets, 2 along main path and a new 3 net ride along the edge of the main pool.

3 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Dunnock, 1 Robin, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Treecreeper

Other birds: 1 juvenile Cuckoo, 1 Common Tern, 1 Green Sandpiper, Lapwing, Coot, House Martin

Back to Chelmarsh - and more rain

Wednesday 4th July 2012:

After the wettest April - June on record, still the weather refuses to relent. On a BBC forecast, possibly a couple of hours worth of evening sunshine. Dave sets up the nets ... rings to say raining ... manages a short burst of ringing between the more persistent stuff:

2 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Blackbird and 1 Dunnock.

Fingers crossed for better weather at the weekend.

More controls etc.

Species: Reed Bunting          Scheme: GBT          Ring no: L487707

Ringing details

Age: 3J  Sex: male  Sex meth: -  P.ringed: -  P.alive: -  Condition: -

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

Ringing date: 27-Jul-2011

Reg code: BMI  Place code: WHP  Site name: Weather Hills Pond, North Yorkshire

County code: GBNYO  Grid ref: SE3466   Co-ords: 54deg 5min N  1deg 29min W

Hab1: G2  Hab2: E3

Biometrics: Wing: 83 mm.   Weight: -- g.   Time: 1630hrs

Remarks:

Ringer: D J Bowes, 4053

Finding details

Ring not verified  Age: 6  Sex: M  Sex meth: -

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

Finding date: 29-Jan-2012

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: 80 mm.   Weight: 20.5 g.   Time: 1415hrs

Finding condition: 8:20  Movement: --

Controlled    Intentionally Taken

Remarks: Age discrepancy

Duration: 186 days    Distance: 188 km    Direction: 199deg (SSW)

Finder: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193 Species: Greenfinch          Scheme: GBT          Ring no: TT20024 Ringing details Age: 5  Sex: female  Sex meth: -  P.ringed: -  P.alive: -  Condition: - Colour marks added: -  Metal marks added: -  Act1: -  Act2: -   Ringing date: 25-Jan-2012   Reg code: SPR  Place code: SPR  Site name: Cross Lane Head, Bridgnorth, Shropshire County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7095   Co-ords: 52deg 33min N  2deg 27min W  Hab1: E3  Hab2: F3   Biometrics: Wing: 84 mm.   Weight: -- g.   Time: 0000hrs   Remarks:   Ringer: Deans & Smith, 8062 Finding details Ring not verified  Age: 4  Sex: F  Sex meth: - Colour marks added: -    Metal marks added: -    Act1: A  Act2: -   Finding date: 12-Feb-2012   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: 84 mm.   Weight: 25.1 g.   Time: 1115hrs   Finding condition: 8:20  Movement: -- Controlled    Intentionally Taken Remarks:   Duration: 18 days    Distance: 9 km    Direction: 156deg (SSE) Finder: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193 Species: Sand Martin          Scheme: GBT          Ring no: X698908 Ringing details Age: 3J  Sex: unknown  Sex meth: -  P.ringed: -  P.alive: -  Condition: - Colour marks added: -  Metal marks added: -  Act1: C  Act2: -   Ringing date: 10-Jul-2009   Reg code: ---  Place code: BACKNY  Site name: Backney Common, Herefordshire County code: GBHER  Grid ref: SO5826 Accuracy 1  Co-ords: 51deg 56min N  2deg 37min W Accuracy 1 Hab1: G7  Hab2: E3   Biometrics: Wing: 103 mm.   Weight: 13.4 g.   Time: 2030hrs   Remarks:   Ringer: Severn Vale RG, 9077 Finding details Ring not verified  Age: 4  Sex: -  Sex meth: - Colour marks added: -    Metal marks added: -    Act1: R  Act2: -   Finding date: 29-Mar-2012   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: 109 mm.   Weight: 14.5 g.   Time: 2015hrs   Finding condition: 8:20  Movement: -- Controlled    Intentionally Taken Remarks:   Duration: 993 days    Distance: 63 km    Direction: 14deg (NNE) Finder: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193

Excellent Sparrowhawk control

Species: Sparrowhawk          Scheme: GBT          Ring no: DD46282

Ringing details

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

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

Ringing date: 14-Aug-2011

Reg code: HOL  Place code: HOL  Site name: Cauldwell Hall Farm, Hollesley, Suffolk

County code: GBSUF  Grid ref: TM3745   Co-ords: 52deg 3min N  1deg 27min E

Hab1: B1  Hab2: C7

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

Remarks:

Ringer: Catchpole Cockram Peters, 8005

Finding details

Ring not verified  Age: 5  Sex: M  Sex meth: -

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

Finding date: 12-Feb-2012

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: 215 mm.   Weight: -- g.   Time: 1115hrs

Finding condition: 8:20  Movement: --

Controlled    Intentionally Taken

Remarks:

Duration: 182 days    Distance: 267 km    Direction: 281deg (WNW)

Finder: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193

More recoveries and controls

Species: Blackbird          Scheme: GBT          Ring no: LC16511

Ringing details

Age: 5  Sex: male  Sex meth: -  P.ringed: -  P.alive: -  Condition: -

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

Ringing date: 10-Mar-2010

Reg code: HIG  Place code: HIG  Site name: Highley, Shropshire

County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7483   Co-ords: 52deg 27min N  2deg 23min W

Hab1: F2  Hab2: --

Biometrics: Wing: 124 mm.   Weight: 85.5 g.   Time: 1640hrs

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: 17-Feb-2012

Reg code: HIG  Place code: HIG  Site name: Highley, Shropshire

County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7483   Co-ords: 52deg 27min N  2deg 23min W

Hab1: F2  Hab2: --

Finding condition: 2:44  Movement: --

Freshly dead    Hit Glass

Remarks: Found under window

Duration: 709 days    Distance: 0 km    Direction: 0deg (---)

Finder: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193 Species: Lesser Redpoll          Scheme: GBT          Ring no: Y137955 Ringing details Age: 5  Sex: female  Sex meth: -  P.ringed: -  P.alive: -  Condition: - Colour marks added: -  Metal marks added: -  Act1: A  Act2: -   Ringing date: 13-Feb-2012   Reg code: HIG  Place code: HIG  Site name: Highley, Shropshire County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7483   Co-ords: 52deg 27min N  2deg 23min W  Hab1: F2  Hab2: --   Biometrics: Wing: 71 mm.   Weight: 10.3 g.   Time: 1100hrs   Ringer: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193 Finding details Ring not verified  Age: 5  Sex: -  Sex meth: - Colour marks added: -    Metal marks added: -    Act1: -  Act2: -   Finding date: 29-Mar-2012   Reg code: GRF  Place code: GRF  Site name: Greystoke Forest, Cumbria County code: GBCUM  Grid ref: NY3933 Accuracy 2  Co-ords: 54deg 41min N  2deg 57min W Accuracy 2 Hab1: B6  Hab2: A2   Biometrics: Wing: 71 mm.   Weight: 10.1 g.   Time: 1150hrs   Finding condition: 8:20  Movement: -- Controlled    Intentionally Taken Duration: 45 days    Distance: 251 km    Direction: 352deg (N) Finder: Greystoke Forest Ringing Group, 9201 Species: Blue Tit          Scheme: GBT          Ring no: Y215311 Ringing details Age: 4  Sex: unknown  Sex meth: -  P.ringed: -  P.alive: -  Condition: - Colour marks added: -  Metal marks added: -  Act1: A  Act2: -   Ringing date: 15-Jan-2012   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: 64 mm.   Weight: 11.3 g.   Time: 1600hrs   inger: Chelmarsh Ringing Group, 9193 Finding details Ring not verified  Age: -  Sex: -  Sex meth: - Colour marks added: -    Metal marks added: -    Act1: -  Act2: -   Finding date: 10-Mar-2012   Reg code: ---  Place code: ---  Site name: Severn Valley Country Park, Shropshire County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7583   Co-ords: 52deg 27min N  2deg 22min W  Hab1: --  Hab2: --   Biometrics: Wing: -- mm.   Weight: -- g.   Time: --hrs   Finding condition: 2:01  Movement: -- Freshly dead    Bird Found Remarks:   Duration: 55 days    Distance: 0 km    Direction: 0deg (---) Finder: Edward Andrews, Severn Valley

Siskins recovered in Belgium and Sweden

Species: Siskin Carduelis spinus         Scheme: GBT          Ring no: L752465

Ringing details

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

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

Ringing date: 22-Feb-2011

Reg code: HIG  Place code: HIG  Site name: Highley, Shropshire

County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7483   Co-ords: 52deg 27min N  2deg 23min W

Hab1: F2  Hab2: --

Biometrics: Wing: 72 mm.   Weight: 13.2 g.   Time: 1100hrs

Finding details

Ring not verified  Age: 6  Sex: F  Sex meth: -

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

Finding date: 05-Mar-2012

Reg code: ---  Place code: ---  Site name: Charneux, Liège, Belgium

County code: BL24  Grid ref:    Co-ords: 50deg 33min N  5deg 57min E

Hab1: --  Hab2:

Biometrics: Wing: 72 mm.   Weight: -- g.   Time: 0000hrs

Finding condition: 8:20  Movement: --

Controlled    Intentionally Taken

Duration: 377 days    Distance: 614 km    Direction: 111deg (ESE)

Finder: Bruxelles Species: Siskin Carduelis spinus         Scheme: GBT          Ring no: L898116 Ringing details Age: 5  Sex: male  Sex meth: -  P.ringed: -  P.alive: -  Condition: - Colour marks added: -  Metal marks added: -  Act1: A  Act2: -   Ringing date: 28-Feb-2011   Reg code: HIG  Place code: HIG  Site name: Highley, Shropshire County code: GBSHR  Grid ref: SO7483   Co-ords: 52deg 27min N  2deg 23min W  Hab1: F2  Hab2: --   Biometrics: Wing: 76 mm.   Weight: 13 g.   Time: 1100hrs   Finding details Ring not verified  Age: 4  Sex: -  Sex meth: - Colour marks added: -    Metal marks added: -    Act1: -  Act2: -   Finding date: 18-Feb-2012   Reg code: ---  Place code: ---  Site name: Figgolhult, Fliseryd, Kalmar, Sweden County code: SV47  Grid ref:    Co-ords: 57deg 8min N  16deg 19min E  Hab1: --  Hab2:   Biometrics: Wing: -- mm.   Weight: -- g.   Time: --hrs   Finding condition: 2:44  Movement: -- Freshly dead    Hit Glass Remarks:   Duration: 355 days    Distance: 1305 km    Direction: 67deg (ENE) Finder: Stockholm