brewood ringers

Last minute decision to try at the feeding station at the local college--proved to be a good one. Only one forty foot net used which was good for about one and a half hours as it was in deep shade because of the strong, low sun behind the hedge. Lots of birds feeding when I arrived, but often they disappear as soon as the net is put up. However, there were lots of Redpoll around and they were back on the feeder as soon as I moved away.

3 catches resulted in 61 new birds--the clear highlight of which was a stonking juvenile Common Redpoll, very grey and clearly different when we watched it feeding before being caught. Also significantly larger with a wing length of 75mm, compared to all the Lesser Redpoll we caught with wings all less than 70mm.

Other totals-Redpoll 12, Goldfinch 21, Greenfinch 5, Great tit 9, Coal tit 4, Long Tailed tit 1, Yellowhammer 1, Reed Bunting 1, Dunnock 2, Blackbird 1--and a male Sparrowhawk that got away!!