31st May 2010 - Sparrows and Greenfinchs

I was joined by Eddie and Chris Glanfield for the ringing session at Chesworth Farm this morning which was almost completely dominated by juveniles catching 42 new birds and 22 retraps. B rings were in constant use during the morning catching ten new House Sparrow (juvenile above) and 13 new Greenfinch all mainly juveniles, while other highlights included a Whitethroat, a pair of Blackcap and the best of the day a male Garden Warbler. A great find by Eddie was a nest of six Wren that was ringable under the eaves of one of the buildings (below).
Highlights of the retraps were the regular Blackbird ringed in 2007, a recent male Reed Bunting (below) and four Reed Warbler, a Chiffchaff and a Whitethroat all from 2009. In total now seven Reed Warblers have been caught in the tiny 60ft x 60ft pond here this year with five being males, one female and one unsexed and only one of which was new this year!
Other sightings included two Barn Owl, a pair of Yellowhammer, a Slow-worm, a Grass Snake and a juvenile Harvest Mouse out on the farm track!

Birds ringed: (retraps in brackets)
Robin - 3
Blackcap - 2
Goldfinch - 3 (2)
Great Tit - 1 (3)
Whitethroat - 1 (1)
Garden Warbler - 1
Chiffchaff - 1 (1)
Wren - 6 nestlings (1)
Greenfinch - 13 (2)
House Sparrow - 10 (1)
Song Thrush - 1 (1)
Reed Warbler - (4)
Reed Bunting - (1)
Blackbird - (2)
Great-spotted Woodpecker - (1)
Dunnock - (1)
Blue Tit - (1)