Spring ring

Back to Woolston on Saturday in the glorious sunshine. The first Chiffchaff's of the year were ringed and 4 moving Brambling were also processed. The potter traps were set as usual but failed to catch anything. Of 4 Great-spotted Woodpeckers we caught i managed to get lumbered (though i don't mind) with 3 of them and have the wounds to show for it.

A (sort of) planned trip to Suffolk on Sunday was aborted so i decided to join Mike around Macclesfield Forrest checking on Dipper nest's. This is a labour of love for Mike and Hugh who have been running this project for 5 years, with all birds caught bearing colour rings. A few unringed birds were observed including this female, unfortunately we didn't have any rings so hopefully we will catch up with her in a few weeks.

A day off today so the nets were put up in the garden. Not a great deal caught although the garden was the busiest its been for a while! Star bird was the presumably, returning garden Chiffchaff. Now that its sporting a nice shiny ring it will be easier to check on its return next spring. Also caught were 2 Dunnock, 2 Starling, Goldfinch and a retrapped Goldcrest. With the small catch i don't envisage many more garden sessions until the fledglings are about.