25th February 2010 - Redpolls Finally and a Potter Double

After not awaking to my alarm clock and Jake waiting for me for nearly two hours (sorry Jake!) we set up the three nets at Southwater CP and both mine and Jake's potter traps (four in total). The nyger feeder has still been active and we finally caught some of the Redpolls that have been using it, seven in total, including two stunning adult males and a gold capped female (see below). Three Goldfinch were also new birds for this site.
The potter traps also performed well catching two new adult female Moorhen, but the Water Rail that has been present over winter evaded capture!

There was plenty of spring activity here today with Mute Swan and Coot nest-building, a pair of Siskin displaying and Wren, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Robin, Blackbird and Song Thrush all in song. A surprise was a Skylark that flew over early on (rarely seen here).

Birds ringed:
Goldfinch - 3
Redpoll - 7
Chaffinch - 4
Blue Tit - 3
Greenfinch - 1
Moorhen - 2