Yesterday I went to a whole new ringing place I have never been before in Lancashire with Scouse Ringer, Moxey and James. Here's Peter below explaining important bird facts.
The bird that was one of the first out of the net was a bird I have been waiting to ring and have in my hand for ages, the beautiful Nuthatch.
This Nuthatch is a female, and I will explain why in a minute.
Right then, if you look closely you can see the flanks of this male Nuthatch below are a real dark chestnutty colour, however the female above would not have such a deep colour.
I think it was the second to last net-round we ended up catching two Treecreeper one adult one juvenile (Treecreepers are one of my dads favorite).
Peter said I could only ring the Tree Creeper if I could remember how to tell if it was a juvenile or an adult. Oh yes, I got to ring it.
For some reason sometimes I feel under pressure when I ring a bird. It has to be perfect.
As the day started to come to an end, we caught a beautiful male Goldcrest.
A few Goldfinches had discovered the feeders Peter had put up.
This Coal Tit obviously liked me, since as I released it from the weighing pot it sat in my hand.
And to end the day a beautiful ringed Kestrel appeared out of no where.
You lucky boy ,getting to handle these lovely birds , well done.
ReplyDeletepeter
Findlay I am starting to get so envious of you... you are getting to handle birds I am struggling to actually see... never mind take a picture of.
ReplyDeleteWell done you and please appreciated your moments... you really are a lucky lad.
Findlay, that sounds like such an excellent day! I love the coal tit that liked you. We don't have anything like that here.
ReplyDeleteyou are getting such great field experience! the tree creepers are really cool. :)
ReplyDeleteThe force is definitely with you Findlay! What a great experience your getting. Those Jedi Knights are training you well!!...[;o)
ReplyDeleteSome very cool birds! I have banded several thousand birds in the states and still get nervous every time. I think it's a combination of not wanting to miss any detail or hurt the bird and also excitement at seeing them up close.
ReplyDeleteWell done Findlay, keep it up, some great birds there :-)
ReplyDeleteMy goodness Findlay! I've just been catching up with your recent posts...what an interesting, wildlife full life you lead!! What with bird ringing, friendly farmers letting you put up feeders on their land and catching (or trying too!!) lambs you really are having some exciting adventures. I have enjoyed all your photos too. It must be amazing to hold the birds and ring them! I don't seem to see Nuthatches very often, seeing one so close must be very special. Oh yes, I have also fallen in love with the farmer's dog too....just gorgeous :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant day, two nuthatches I'm dead jealous already but then you show me a Goldcrest, did you weigh the Goldcrest?
ReplyDeleteA great post, nice to see!
ReplyDeleteHi Findlay....Oh you are making a lot of us bird peepers envious getting to handle bird's! : )
ReplyDeleteTree Creeper are one of my favorites, but very hard to photograph!
I would be nervous ringing a bird for fear I was hurting it.
I would love it if a ringed bird came to my feeders!!
Grace
you're certainly getting in very early knowing how to go about these projects with ringing the wild birds Findlay. That's a very lucky break for you and I know you realize that and you're making the most of it. Enjoy your photos and commentary very much and having the little Coal Tit stay with you that moment longer of its own free will was really special too
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of another very interesting ringing session.
ReplyDeleteFindlay, you are going great with the ringing. I would be happy just to try to hold one of these birds. Wonderful post and photos!
ReplyDeleteGreat set of pictures - I never do tire of seeing even the most common bird in the hand - in may case this would be Red Necked Stints, I've processed heaps and I still like them.
ReplyDeleteDucks are not a common sight on my chimney!
Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW.
Stewart M - Melbourne
Great post and very interesting information! I never tire of seeing your local birds and hope to see them in person one day.
ReplyDelete-Wally (Florida, USA)