Two Demos and Two Finch Recoveries

With a rather windy week, it hasn't been ideal for doing two ringing demonstrations for National Trust volunteers!  The first was on 2nd Dec at Henman Bunkhouse, Broadmoor on the northern side of Leith Hill.  The catch was mainly Blue and Great Tits, but also included a continental Blackbird, three Goldcrest and a Lesser Redpoll, whilst the only retrap was the huge winged Goldcrest that I had ringed on Leith Hill on 21st Nov.

The second was in the normal spot on Leith Hill this morning with the catch including five Redpolls, two Siskin (above) and two Redwing.  Interestingly during this morning I caught eight retraps, which is the most ever caught up here in one session involving Siskins originally ringed in May, July, August, September and November!

Apart from these demos two normal sessions were had on Leith Hill catching 55 new birds including 35 Redpolls, four Siskin, two Redwing, four Goldcrest and a female Bullfinch (above).

A couple of recoveries I have had back as follows:

L977558 Lesser Redpoll - 1st year ringed on 10th Oct 2011 at Cannock Chase, Stafford and caught on 21st Oct 2011 at Leith Hill 11 days and 200km SE later (below).

X403389 Siskin - 1st year male ringed on 5th May 2009 at Slaley, Northumberland and caught on 30th Nov 2011 at Leith Hill 881 days and 430km SSE later (below).

Birds ringed:

Redpoll sp. - 15

Common (Mealy) Redpoll - 22

Lesser Redpoll - 4

Siskin - 6

Great Tit - 13

Blue Tit - 9

Chaffinch - 1

Bullfinch - 1

Goldcrest - 8

Wren - 2

Redwing - 4

Blackbird - 1