New site looks good

Got permission off Yorkshire Water to ring down at Cooper Bridge .

Had a great day to day with 35 Birds ringed

Started of with a few Blackbirds and a Dunnock. I wanted to ring here for the warblers

and then every time a check the nets i was getting Warblers.

7 Willow Warblers ringed today

With

4Chiffchaff

3 Blackcaps

1 adult male Reed Warbler

just as i walk down to do the last net run and pack up i noticed 4 Long Tailed tits in the net with a Willow Warbler so i started extracting them then in the bottom shelve of the net i noticed something different a Lesser Whitethroat.

Top day top place.

other birds ringed were 4 Blackbirds, 2 Blue Tits 4 Robins, 2 Greenfinch 1 Wren and 2 Dunnocks

Lesser Whitethroat

Reed warbler
Willow Warbler

ChiffChaff

Got permission off Yorkshire Water to ring down at Cooper Bridge .

Had a great day to day with 35 Birds ringed

Started of with a few Blackbirds and a Dunnock. I wanted to ring here for the warblers

and then every time a check the nets i was getting Warblers.

7 Willow Warblers ringed today

With

4Chiffchaff

3 Blackcaps

1 adult male Reed Warbler

just as i walk down to do the last net run and pack up i noticed 4 Long Tailed tits in the net with a Willow Warbler so i started extracting them then in the bottom shelve of the net i noticed something different a Lesser Whitethroat.

Top day top place.

other birds ringed were 4 Blackbirds, 2 Blue Tits 4 Robins, 2 Greenfinch 1 Wren and 2 Dunnocks

Lesser Whitethroat

Reed warbler
Willow Warbler

ChiffChaff

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Baby Birds in the Garden

This past week has seen a flurry of activity in the garden in the form of many more baby birds. This year has been an extraordinarily productive one for our feathered friends around here, or so it seems.We have numerous newly fledged House Sparrows and Starlings in the garden this week being fed by the adult birds. That unmistakable fluttering of the wings accompanied by those ever open mouths

This past week has seen a flurry of activity in the garden in the form of many more baby birds. This year has been an extraordinarily productive one for our feathered friends around here, or so it seems.We have numerous newly fledged House Sparrows and Starlings in the garden this week being fed by the adult birds. That unmistakable fluttering of the wings accompanied by those ever open mouths

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Merlins

The Great Pete Roe with brood of Merlins

The Great Pete Roe with brood of Merlins

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fledgelings and chicks

A nice steady week with 3 more Whitethroat caught at EGP 2 were young birds the other an adult Male also Chiffchaff and another Willow Warbler. 3 More Redshank chicks rings and a Common Sandpiper chick. Other birds ringed this week Robin, Greenfinch, Blue Tits, Gt Tit , Chaffinches and Blackbird.

JuvenileWhitethroats

Common Sandpiper chick
Redshank chicks

Andy was out yesterday doing a Merlins nest and 2 broods of Kestrels.

A nice steady week with 3 more Whitethroat caught at EGP 2 were young birds the other an adult Male also Chiffchaff and another Willow Warbler. 3 More Redshank chicks rings and a Common Sandpiper chick. Other birds ringed this week Robin, Greenfinch, Blue Tits, Gt Tit , Chaffinches and Blackbird.

JuvenileWhitethroats

Common Sandpiper chick
Redshank chicks

Andy was out yesterday doing a Merlins nest and 2 broods of Kestrels.

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LAST WEEK

Been away for a few days, so just to catch up early last week 4 Redshank chicks ringed with a few more Willow Warblers and Blackbirds. Sunday the 14 out with Andy at his new site, nice morning with chiff chaffs , LTT, Blackcap, Blackbirds , and Wood Pigeon ringed. Yesterday up to Ringstone where my last nest box with Blue Tits in were ready to ring.

Been away for a few days, so just to catch up early last week 4 Redshank chicks ringed with a few more Willow Warblers and Blackbirds. Sunday the 14 out with Andy at his new site, nice morning with chiff chaffs , LTT, Blackcap, Blackbirds , and Wood Pigeon ringed. Yesterday up to Ringstone where my last nest box with Blue Tits in were ready to ring.

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Taking a bad tern

What a twat! Not since marrying Tina Newcombe at the age of 22 have I made such a bad decision. I'd spent Saturday in the Peak District, walking along Mam Tor with Angela and Matthew and then headed off to my mum's house in Stoke. As we were arriving in Stoke, the pager started bleeping, telling me about the Afrikaan Royal Tern in Land-dudno, Wales. I quickly dropped the family off at mum's and headed off to North Wales. Unfortunately, by the time I got to Chester the bird had flown off high and hadn't been seen for well over an hour. My mind turned to Co. Cork and Black Rock Sands, (where the bird had put in all to brief appearences before heading for the horizon never to be seen again - in the same place anyway) and then to my family waiting patiently at my mum's house. So, I filled up with fuel and stupidly started heading back. 15 minutes later, the pager was bleaping, informing me of the Royal Tern's reappearance. I quick handbrake-turn on the A51 and I was on my way back to North Wales. Unfortunately, by the time I arrived (6.30 pm) the bird really had disappeared. An all too brief return by the bird for 5 luck observers (of which I wasn't one) at 8pm was the only other time it might have been seen. The worst of it is, is that the bird flew off at 6pm, 20 minutes before I arrived. Had I not turned around and lost half-an-hour, I would have arrived on site at about 5.50 and seen the bird for about 10 minutes before if flew off.
Why did I turn round? Why!!!!!???

What a twat! Not since marrying Tina Newcombe at the age of 22 have I made such a bad decision. I'd spent Saturday in the Peak District, walking along Mam Tor with Angela and Matthew and then headed off to my mum's house in Stoke. As we were arriving in Stoke, the pager started bleeping, telling me about the Afrikaan Royal Tern in Land-dudno, Wales. I quickly dropped the family off at mum's and headed off to North Wales. Unfortunately, by the time I got to Chester the bird had flown off high and hadn't been seen for well over an hour. My mind turned to Co. Cork and Black Rock Sands, (where the bird had put in all to brief appearences before heading for the horizon never to be seen again - in the same place anyway) and then to my family waiting patiently at my mum's house. So, I filled up with fuel and stupidly started heading back. 15 minutes later, the pager was bleaping, informing me of the Royal Tern's reappearance. I quick handbrake-turn on the A51 and I was on my way back to North Wales. Unfortunately, by the time I arrived (6.30 pm) the bird really had disappeared. An all too brief return by the bird for 5 luck observers (of which I wasn't one) at 8pm was the only other time it might have been seen. The worst of it is, is that the bird flew off at 6pm, 20 minutes before I arrived. Had I not turned around and lost half-an-hour, I would have arrived on site at about 5.50 and seen the bird for about 10 minutes before if flew off.
Why did I turn round? Why!!!!!???

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Early Birds

Five o'clock,I look out of the house.Nothing is stirring,Not even a Mouse.Well that is not strictly true, because a male House Sparrow is stirring in the garden. A Woodpigeon flies across my field of vision to perch atop the large Conifer. He or she, of course I know not which, is soon accompanied by one of the resident male Blackbirds. I wonder if they might be exchanging early morning

Five o'clock,I look out of the house.Nothing is stirring,Not even a Mouse.Well that is not strictly true, because a male House Sparrow is stirring in the garden. A Woodpigeon flies across my field of vision to perch atop the large Conifer. He or she, of course I know not which, is soon accompanied by one of the resident male Blackbirds. I wonder if they might be exchanging early morning

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Garden Warbler

Nice morning at EGP this morning. Garden Warbler ringed with a few juvenile Long Tail Tits and Reed Bunting plus Blue Tits. Then down to my Mill site and a Kingfisher to finish of with.

Showing Brood Patch

Andy has been out doing Buzzards Red Kite and Kestrels chicks today. Hope to get some photos off him later.

Nice morning at EGP this morning. Garden Warbler ringed with a few juvenile Long Tail Tits and Reed Bunting plus Blue Tits. Then down to my Mill site and a Kingfisher to finish of with.

Showing Brood Patch

Andy has been out doing Buzzards Red Kite and Kestrels chicks today. Hope to get some photos off him later.

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up date on Tree Sparrows

2009 Totals so far

Another 6 Tree Sparrows ringed this week all young Birds .

Bringing the total of young ringed birds this year to 19 .

4 New birds were ringed from January> March.

= 23 Tree Sparrow so far

2008 Totals

34 Adult Birds ringed

11 chicks {pulli}

1 controlled bird from Wakefield

Total 46

since project started

68 Tree Sparrows Ringed at Jay House Lane

with one controlled bird caught

Total = 69

2009 Totals so far

Another 6 Tree Sparrows ringed this week all young Birds .

Bringing the total of young ringed birds this year to 19 .

4 New birds were ringed from January> March.

= 23 Tree Sparrow so far

2008 Totals

34 Adult Birds ringed

11 chicks {pulli}

1 controlled bird from Wakefield

Total 46

since project started

68 Tree Sparrows Ringed at Jay House Lane

with one controlled bird caught

Total = 69

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The Headless Starlings

"Hey Starl""What is it Stan?""The chap who lives here is by the window with his camera, looks like he is going to try taking pictures of us.""Yes, I can see him Stan.""Lets do that trick Starl, where we make our heads disappear""That sounds like a great idea Stan!!""That fooled him.""Sure did Stan!!"

"Hey Starl""What is it Stan?""The chap who lives here is by the window with his camera, looks like he is going to try taking pictures of us.""Yes, I can see him Stan.""Lets do that trick Starl, where we make our heads disappear""That sounds like a great idea Stan!!""That fooled him.""Sure did Stan!!"

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Woodpeckers

In answer to a question asked on Twitter here are some quick pointers to help you identify Woodpeckers.Hi Karen,The greater Spotted Woodpecker is a medium sized Black and white bird roughly the size of a Blackbird. The underparts are a dirty white colour but the main colour indicator is that the male, female and juveniles all have a patch of easily seen red body feathers beneath the tail and a

In answer to a question asked on Twitter here are some quick pointers to help you identify Woodpeckers.Hi Karen,The greater Spotted Woodpecker is a medium sized Black and white bird roughly the size of a Blackbird. The underparts are a dirty white colour but the main colour indicator is that the male, female and juveniles all have a patch of easily seen red body feathers beneath the tail and a

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Wet 'n Windy on the North Norfolk Coast - 7 Jun 09

Headed up to North Norfolk for what turned out to be a very wet day.
First stop was Cley NWT. Hardly any waders on Pat's/Simmonds scrapes, but North Scrape was much more productive. 2 imm Eurasian Spoonbills were on the scrape and actually woke up for a while and started feeding (see below). Also on the scrape were 2 Little Stints and 2 1st-summer Little Gulls.








Next it was along to Thornham to have another look at the Black-winged Pratincole. It was in the ploughed field by the reservoir, but the light wasn't too good and I only got one half-decent photo of it.


Then, finally to Titchwell. It hammered it down with rain after I got to Parrinder Hide, but other than about 500 Common Swift pushed down by the rain, not much else was on show. 5 Little Gulls and a Ruff were the only thing of note. A quick dash to the car between rain showers and that was the end of the day.

Headed up to North Norfolk for what turned out to be a very wet day.
First stop was Cley NWT. Hardly any waders on Pat's/Simmonds scrapes, but North Scrape was much more productive. 2 imm Eurasian Spoonbills were on the scrape and actually woke up for a while and started feeding (see below). Also on the scrape were 2 Little Stints and 2 1st-summer Little Gulls.








Next it was along to Thornham to have another look at the Black-winged Pratincole. It was in the ploughed field by the reservoir, but the light wasn't too good and I only got one half-decent photo of it.


Then, finally to Titchwell. It hammered it down with rain after I got to Parrinder Hide, but other than about 500 Common Swift pushed down by the rain, not much else was on show. 5 Little Gulls and a Ruff were the only thing of note. A quick dash to the car between rain showers and that was the end of the day.

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Whitethroat returns

Down at Egp to day. It never fails to amaze me and i know i have said it before but today re caught a Male Whitethroat in the same net ride as last year so on the same territory as last year. Glad i re caught him as i didn't have my camera on me last time. And of course it great to see him make it back from Africa. Also caught today 1female Whitethroat with good brood patch.

1 Blackcap,1 Blackbird Male, 1 Willow Warbler and 1 juvenile Robin.

Out with Theo on Wednesday at OGP and in 3 hours only had 2 Blackbirds very quite very worrying. Also this week 6 Starling ringed at Ringstone with 2 juv Greenfinch a Dunnock and a retrap Goldfinch from April 08.

Down at Egp to day. It never fails to amaze me and i know i have said it before but today re caught a Male Whitethroat in the same net ride as last year so on the same territory as last year. Glad i re caught him as i didn't have my camera on me last time. And of course it great to see him make it back from Africa. Also caught today 1female Whitethroat with good brood patch.

1 Blackcap,1 Blackbird Male, 1 Willow Warbler and 1 juvenile Robin.

Out with Theo on Wednesday at OGP and in 3 hours only had 2 Blackbirds very quite very worrying. Also this week 6 Starling ringed at Ringstone with 2 juv Greenfinch a Dunnock and a retrap Goldfinch from April 08.

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Morning in the Garden

Typically this week, most of the bird activity is during the first few hours of the morning. We currently have many many young Starlings, who along with their elders seem to come enmasse for breakfast, smaller groups (but the same birds) will visit throughout the rest of the day.Young House Sparrows are still around, but not in such numbers as they were before we went away last week. I think this

Typically this week, most of the bird activity is during the first few hours of the morning. We currently have many many young Starlings, who along with their elders seem to come enmasse for breakfast, smaller groups (but the same birds) will visit throughout the rest of the day.Young House Sparrows are still around, but not in such numbers as they were before we went away last week. I think this

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Farne Islands and Scotland - 26 - 31 May

A family holiday, culminating in Angela running the Edinburgh Marathon, was taken last week. The main birding spots were The Farne Islands and Fowlsheugh (an RSPB seabird reserve, just south of Stoneheaven, at Crawton). Nearly all the seabirds we saw either had eggs or were preparing nest sites.
The best of my photos are shown below.

Arctic Terns












Puffins








Razorbills





Kittywakes







Common Eider


Shag


Fulmar


Guillemots

A family holiday, culminating in Angela running the Edinburgh Marathon, was taken last week. The main birding spots were The Farne Islands and Fowlsheugh (an RSPB seabird reserve, just south of Stoneheaven, at Crawton). Nearly all the seabirds we saw either had eggs or were preparing nest sites.
The best of my photos are shown below.

Arctic Terns












Puffins








Razorbills





Kittywakes







Common Eider


Shag


Fulmar


Guillemots

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