Kenny Cramer supplied the narrative, and pictures.
On Saturday 19th
October a ringing demonstration was conducted at the annual Apple Day event at
the community orchard at Woughton on the Green.
For once, I have to be
fair to the weather forecast and say that it did exactly what it said on the
tin. It was definitely a game of two halves with persistent and occasionally
heavy rain hampering our set-up, and causing us to huddle under our gazebo
until it dried up enough to open nets. After an initial flurry of tits, we had
to close up again while another shower passed through, but then the clouds
broke and we were treated to an unseasonably warm and sunny autumn day.
Always a popular event,
the early rain did not dampen anyone's enthusiasm and we were soon surrounded
by an eager group who were suitably impressed with the birds we were able to
muster - even if this was predominantly blue tits!
Despite the late and
stuttering start, we managed to accumulate 77 birds of 8 species for our
demonstration, which included 2 retraps from last winter. As mentioned, blue
tits ruled the roost with 52 individuals handled and 16 great tits further
bolstered the numbers. The slightly more unusual birds included singles of
chiffchaff, woodpigeon, and coal tit. Dunnock, robin and lotti also gave our
audience something different to look at.
Other birds seen and
heard despite the commotion of the event (and the live jazz trio) included
green woodpecker, jay, red kite and ring-necked parakeet, which seem to be
getting established in this part of the city.
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