Terns, Waders, Auks, and the Calf of Man.

First of all let me say sorry for the lack of posts lately, no excuse. The breeding season is coming to an end with only a few Kittiwake chicks and Tern Chick left to fledge.

Here on the Isle of Man we have had a very good Tern season. With Little Terns and Arctic Terns getting young off successfully. Over 70 Terns ringed this year Adults and Young and a few Controls and recaptures from previous years. A great big thank you to the Ayres Warden Louise for all her help and time spent trying to protect and help these birds have such a great season.

Little Tern

My old Pal Andy and his family came to see us for 5 days

It was great to see them all again and get out with my old ringing mate.

Arctic Terns, Herring Gulls, Dunlin, Black Guillemots, Great Spotted Woodpecker {still a rarity here}  and Linnets all ringed.

Andy ringing Arctic Tern chicks

Also a couple of night sessions with Kev and more Dunlin, Ringed Plover and a cracking Greenshank was ringed

Dunlin

Ringed Plover

Greenshank

I have just got back from 5 great days on the Calf of Man bird Observatory with Kev who is still out there. He is covering for Will the warden who has had a week off and is back on Tuesday.

Great to see how the Obs is set up and run. A big thank you to Dan the other Warden for making us welcome and doing a great job. 

Bird Obs Calf of Man

 5 Days of ringing with 6 Manx Shearwaters 

16 Storm Petrels

A small movement of Willow Warblers and Whitethroat

Quite a few Meadow Pipits Wheatear and Pied Wagtails plus Swallows, House Martin and a nice adult Chough.

\

Storm Petrel

Great to use the Heligoland Traps and i can see my self making what they call the crow traps 

which seem to catch Pipits and Wagtails very well.

One of the 2 Heligoland traps

Ringing Room

Manx Shearwater

Now its back to it, with the Whoosh site weeded and up and running and 70 Linnets caught so far.

Migration is underway  :-) bring it on .