Sunday, November 20, 2011

Small and sharp

I spent all day ringing at Castor Hanglands near Peterborough. We caught some nice birds - Marsh Tit, Treecreeper, a lot of retrap Long-tailed Tits (some a couple of years old), and this Sparrowhawk.
Sparrowhawk
Before ringing a Sparrowhawk, you need to know for sure whether it's male or female. Males are much smaller and take a smaller ring than females. So you measure the wing and its leg...
Sparrowhawk
This is a male. Mind those talons!
Sparrowhawk
The feet are ready to grab you at all times...
Sparrowhawk feet
The pointy end! Don't worry about the hooked beak, worry about these
Sparrowhawk + ringer
Happy ringer (see how small the bird is)
Castor Hanglands
The fog never really lifted all day...

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Captured!

I had my first attempt at ringing in my new garden today. It started well, with three birds in the net within 15 minutes, but that was the lot and I caught nothing else before finally giving up around lunchtime.

Great Tit
Great Tit: quizzical
Coal Tit
Coal Tit: innocent
Blue Tit
Blue Tit: "Grrrrr"

photos taken with Canon Powershot A640

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Wednesday, November 09, 2011