Ringing update

Winter ringing is well under way now.  I have managed 4 or 5 visits so far.  Last winter, 2013/2014, I ringed only 10 Fieldfare.  I thought that was a very low number, having been used to ringing around 100+ during winter seasons when I used to ring at an orchard near Northiam.  Mind you, this was an orchard that was all alone, surrounded by fields and woodland and no other orchards for miles.

Here around the Pembury area there are many, many orchards and it is, perhaps (?), this that sems to be making it difficult to get any in the nets.  Maybe they just dont like this area!

Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris

So far this winter I have ringed a meagre 1...yes...one!  The bird in the photos is that bird.  Blackbirds and Fieldfares seem low in numbers here abouts.  Hopefully this will improve as the real winter weather comes in.  Er...if the real winter weather comes in.  This morning I was out and about working and wearing shorts!

Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris

On the other hand....Redwings....last winter I ringed 62....a good number....however, so far this winter, in the last two visits to site actually, I have ringed 50.  So its looking like a record year for Redwing...and I guess a record year for Fieldfare too, though I was hoping it wasnt going to be a record low.....