Today was all about our RAS projects we are working on (Retrapping Adults for Survival)
We were very disappointed that we couldn't get out last week, as the weather was so bad which was so frustrating, as we'd had good hopes to steadily increase our numbers on the Blackcaps.
Our first RAS today was based on the Blackcaps. When we arrived several were singing and calling but working out territories is proving tricky and they did not respond very well today. It was interesting to catch a male which was caught a week or so ago and what appears perhaps to be an unpaired male.
Now after the poor start of Blackcaps we went onto our second RAS of the day; this time for Swallows. We managed to catch 55 birds of which we ringer 48. Some of the retraps were birds we had ringed the year before and some were controls (i.e from other sites). How amazing that these birds have have come back from South Africa to be with us for the summer!
One of the barns we went to contained an occupied owl box and a Kestrel nest. We firstly checked the Kestrel nest and found that the pair were on 5 eggs, fantastic news.
After we had finished with the Kestrel's nest we checked the Barn Owl's which contained 2 chicks and a couple of eggs. Barn Owls had a disastrous breeding season year last year, so it was again fantastic news. (You can find out more about Barn Owls on the Barn Owl Trust website).
This was quite early for the Barn Owls and the chicks are almost ready to ring. I never get tired of seeing these stunning adults up close, they are amazing to see and memories I will never get tired of looking back at.
I hope you all had a great weekend and thanks for reading!!!
Your blog is fascinating. I am learning a lot every week. How wonderful to hold these birds. When the tawny owl was killed in my garden I couldn't believe how soft the feathers were. Well done.
ReplyDeletewonderful that you get up close and personal with these birds!
ReplyDeleteYou're doing some great work Findlay and you get to see and handle some amazing birds...keep up the good work...[;o)
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see the blue colouration close up on that Swallow Findlay. I read very recently on another blog that I follow that Vera Lynn's "Bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover" (you're far too young to remember it, but look it up!) probably referred to returning Swallows!
ReplyDeleteHow amazing to be able to get that close to a wild Barn Owl.
Best wishes from Leicestershire - - - Richard
Richard I saw not long ago on QI that Vera songwriter used Bluebirds in the song title as it was a trend at the time but also to make American GI's feel more at home too.
Deletewhat brilliant work you're doing Findlay! Such a joy to see what great things you're up to!!!
ReplyDeleteJust been having my breakfast and a swallow came through the kitchen door and flew round the sitting room - lovely
ReplyDeleteBrocks in the garden here too - we're loving it!!!
Cheers
DaveyMan
It is great to hear about the barbies and the kestrel too
ReplyDeleteWhat I find amazing about swallow's is the fact they appear to return to the same site....and with no sat navigation to help them :) are the control birds from nearby?
Sorry should be barnies not barbies!!
Delete5 of the retraps were birds we had ringed in previous years at the same site. So they have been all the way to South Africa and back to exactly the same site. The other 2 were controls, so they were also ringed but not by us. It will be exciting to see where they were ringed when we get the information back from the BTO.
DeleteAnother amazing post to read Findlay... The Swallows and I have something in common... I was born in South Africa.
ReplyDeleteFascinating work and good news.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting and such a nice owl, looks so soft!
ReplyDeleteGood luck in the future, Finlay, you are a clever boy!
Greetings Pia
I admit, I look forward to your posts!! Your photos and commentary are superior!! Well done Finlay.
ReplyDeleteWonderful news about the Barn Owls. I'm so glad you're sharing all of this with your son. Very cool family time.
ReplyDeleteI've never held a bird, it must be awesome!
ReplyDeletegreat work, keep it up. You are having a 'close up and personal' time with these birds
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! And how great for children to get to be part of the experience!
ReplyDeleteNice blog Findlay.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to be able to share these wonderful birds with your family and with us. Thanks
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