This March was slightly higher than last years totals, by a paltry 16 birds for a total of 129! Perhaps a combination of COVID measures last year restricting ringing and pretty poor weather and wind direction this year. Neither year compares to 2020, which saw a March total of 219 birds ringed. blackbirds as usual dominated the month, closely followed by chiffchaffs. Of the 27 blackbirds ringed, it was almost a 50-50 split between the sexes, with 14 females ringed and 13 males, 3 of the former showing signs of breeding condition, with brood patches emerging.
The most notable record of the month was a 2nd year male grey wagtail. Whilst autumn can see us ring or recapture into the hundreds, spring ringing records are very much in the single figures. Two other grey wagtails were seen investigating the Helgoland trap, but sadly neither were caught.
Also of note were a pair of firecrest, caught in the same net at the same time on 14th, equalling the numbers of goldcrest for the month which is unusual, but perhaps representative of the awful breeding season the latter had last year.
|
Species |
No. ringed |
|
Blackbird |
27 |
|
Chiffchaff |
23 |
|
Chaffinch |
15 |
|
Redwing |
13 |
|
Robin |
10 |
|
Song
Thrush |
9 |
|
Blue tit |
4 |
|
Dunnock |
4 |
|
Great Tit |
4 |
|
Wren |
4 |
|
Blackcap |
2 |
|
Goldcrest |
2 |
|
Firecrest |
2 |
|
House
Sparrow |
2 |
|
Woodpigeon |
2 |
|
Black
Redstart |
1 |
|
Brambling |
1 |
|
Greenfinch |
1 |
|
Grey
Wagtail |
1 |
|
Hawfinch |
1 |
|
Linnet |
1 |
|
Total |
129 |