Sunday 30 November 2014

Starling roost at Chelmarsh

Sunday 30th November 2014:

Following the success last week, attempt again including same nets in main bed and on iron path, as well as two nets along path to hide given that last week birds landed and crossed that area.
Dave F, Dave B, Joe, James and Stuart.

The roost didn't build as last week - probably a maximum of c150 with dispersed groups in the main.
At one point looking like we would draw a blank, but as dusk approached we caught a few birds.

Totals: 30 Starling ( 20+ adult females ), 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Blackbird.

Also seen: 2 Kingfisher, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Wren ( in the traps set for Water Rail - which we heard, but did not see ).

Woodcock in Much Wenlock

Sunday 30th November 2014:

Great start to a sunny morning - walking dog up over fields, flushing a Woodcock from hedgerow !

Sunday 23 November 2014

Starling roost

Sunday 23rd November 2014 :

Following Linda's discovery of a Starling roost last week, Dave, Joe, Linda and I put up 6 nets ( 2 on iron path and 4 in middle of main reed-bed and then kept fingers crossed as the Sparrowhawk looked for an evening meal as numbers built up to c 1000 birds.

Initially the birds landed behind the hide, either side of main path. But they moved and we ended up catching and ringing 79 Starling and 2 Reed Bunting.

Other birds seen / heard :  3+ Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Curlew