Tuesday 8th November 2016

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Pembrokeshire Dangler nearly spoils the morning...

Yesterday evening I gave a talk to the Llanelli Naturalists Society, on 102 years of ringing the audience was average for the society, about 10 souls who had nothing better to do, but I think the talk was well received.

This morning was forecast to be still and overcast with no sign of rain until lunchtime, so when I had finished opening the one net that I had planned at a new location on the reserve, I was a bit surprised to hear rain tapping on the van roof, luckily it didn't come to much and a small but interesting session was had.

At dawn the first two birds were singles of Redwing and Fieldfare, always great to trap but I had the feeling that they were the only Redwing and Fieldfare in the area!!


Fieldfare
Things picked up as the finch flocks started to appear, so I switched to playing Linnet and Greenfinch on the tape lures. In the end eight Greenfinch and two Linnet were caught whilst observations revealed around 45 Greenfinch (including a flock of 32) and maybe 30+ Linnet, and the same of Goldfinch.


Linnet

Greenfinches are always great to trap, not only are they a really smart bird but they have been through some rough times across the UK and these are the first I have seen for several months.


Greenfinch ♂,  (VH)
the "mess" around the upper mandible
is the sticky remains of Sea Buckthorn berries

Greenfinch ♂, note the yellow of the primaries reaches the shaft of the feather,
females do not show this obvious feature

After packing up I had a quick look around the reserve, flushing a Jack Snipe from the edge of one of the ponds.

The change in the weather has arrived as forecast with some welcome rain to freshen the ponds and dampen the marsh which is very dry.

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