A shocking difference between July 2022 and this months ringing totals, of over 300 birds. Much of this can be explained by the fact that the starlings have yet to come into the compound this year, whereas last year we did 152 just in July alone. Linnet numbers are also less than half of what they were last year, though we've been getting steady numbers of juveniles for a couple of months now. Generally the breeding season seems to have been late and/or poor for a lot of species. Woodpigeons have really only just started serious nesting attempts, we've not had much local dispersal from blue or great tits this year either. Wren numbers are also low, though they have picked up this month.
House Sparrows were more frequent visitors last year, with 31 new birds rnged in July '22 compared to 3 this month.
That said a fledgling black redstart was the first to be ringed here in a few years, despite their continued presence last year we didn't have any proof of local breeding, whereas this bird was amost certainly fledged in the docks. 2 wood warblers were also the first to be ringed here in 2 years, but they're more a scarce visitor than an expected one.
Weather has played its part, strong winds and plenty of rain have made ringing quite difficult the whole year, but more signficantly this month.
However, it is only July, and theres plenty of time yet for these species to pass through in decent numbers.
|
Species |
No. ringed |
|
Linnet |
38 |
|
Dunnock |
13 |
|
Wren |
11 |
|
Willow warbler |
10 |
|
Whitethroat |
9 |
|
Goldfinch |
7 |
|
Lesser Whitethroat |
6 |
|
Blackcap |
6 |
|
Song Thrush |
6 |
|
Greenfinch |
5 |
|
Chiffchaff |
4 |
|
Blue tit |
4 |
|
Blackbird |
3 |
|
Robin |
3 |
|
Garden Warbler |
3 |
|
House Sparrow |
3 |
|
Herring Gull |
3 |
|
Sedge Warbler |
2 |
|
Wood Warbler |
2 |
|
Great Tit |
1 |
|
Woodpigeon |
1 |
|
Reed warbler |
1 |
|
Black Redstart |
1 |
|
Total |
142 |