tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75298995687806573812024-03-13T23:50:44.542-07:00Chris's Bird RingingChris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.comBlogger229125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-26620024470377303142012-03-27T05:54:00.011-07:002012-03-27T06:29:47.365-07:00Quality not Quantity!<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbh8qLmO9qRthsbTAZyuB4S-qINTMNfDVkCFulylvUE_dJ9a1rYXSO7eR6zt3eO8J-w_TAFzHeiNhtyDDsnwzNHzNuz6Gsyh9ZDGwJYftC517SW6Vy3IY4FdtDLKNtaZDdnJxdCKmxLw/s1600/RSCN1571.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724563694491818418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbh8qLmO9qRthsbTAZyuB4S-qINTMNfDVkCFulylvUE_dJ9a1rYXSO7eR6zt3eO8J-w_TAFzHeiNhtyDDsnwzNHzNuz6Gsyh9ZDGwJYftC517SW6Vy3IY4FdtDLKNtaZDdnJxdCKmxLw/s320/RSCN1571.JPG" /></a>I would just like to apologise for the complete lack of posting lately, mainly due to a mass concentrated effort on my 3rd Year Honours Project at Bangor University.<br /><br />Now that our winter ringing has finished and all our Woodcock have moved off to Scandinavia - I would like to inform you all that I managed to catch 10 Woodcock this winter and all were new birds! My 10th Woodcock was lamped at my site at Glanwydden Lane along with a very welcome Woodpigeon later on that night. So, even though I began lamping at the very end of winter I did manage to lamp 14 birds including 10 Woodcock, 1 Jackdaw, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Meadow Pipt and 1 Shelduck. I really can't wait until next winter to see what I can catch.. </div><div><br />Spring migrants are already turning up in good numbers so last week I headed over to the Great Orme in Llandudno with Rob Sandham, where a few hours spring trapping produced a stunning Male Stonechat and a Male Wheatear. Absolutely stunning birds and both were new species as I had never had the chance of seeing them in the hand before; again very useful for getting to grips for the ageing criteria for these species. <br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724567133294937554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQzwoljClUpJ_ucQCC_IJrnfro4AjPLwh2ygaDm2rPyVk7UBHwP0soMC_XNYURQI1DqRIdIerIrIl7wSbn0dzRarEBLnSInzFsoVNvTPmGKe0G5KbUpaWUxK-Dv1IYLocR7NLBx2Y9UY/s320/RSCN1573.JPG"/></div><div>I am currently in Dumfries and Galloway on a week's holiday so posting will resume around 4th April when I begin trapping and lamping again.<br /><br />Scottish ringing so far consists of a spring trapped 6 Male Great Tit yesterday afternoon. </div></div></div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-76239504446815533182012-03-14T12:33:00.003-07:002012-03-14T12:55:58.281-07:00Flippin Mipit!<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJ6cYuAexjJ7aACADIi9pLX-ioWccJMA4Amv2GiwO1qKoPMat-VOV2eY9u9bmcVO3OC0jn_iQg9OfTD9c-eE9a7R_xbRxA1mY1hOyXTdZkaU7WjoLXDeNQnezEDFP8g_phQAlEE5sDJM/s320/MEAPI+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719838435968196754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px; " /><div style="text-align: center;">Photographed by Rob Sandham</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As were now into Mid March; my trapping season has finally come to an end. The only ringing I am concentrating on at the moment is lamping. So far this winter, after a bad start, I have successfully lamped 12 birds in North Wales. A change of lamp from a Nitech product to a Cluson, has made this possible and for anyone thinking of taking lamping up as an extra ringing technique; the Cluson CB2 Lamp is the one to buy and I can highly recommend it! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last night I headed over to Glanwydden Lane with Rob Sandham and after an hour so; 8 Woodcock were seen but all flew due to the calm conditions during the night. The night improved when I flushed a small passerine from the short grassy field and knowing that it was either a Skylark or a Meadow Pipit, I persevered after it. I managed to bring it down twice but each time the bird landed it somehow seemed to elude the torch beam and took off before I could locate it on the deck. After a 3rd go the bird flew up and over the hedge and away into a stubble field, never to be seen again I thought! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A short search at the edge of the field and the bird flew up from my feet and I managed to tempt it back down quickly and netted it. This was a new bird for me as I have never ring this species in the UK and to have lamped it myself made the experience even better. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div><img style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUWxnei0ZhdIdo7TqLc8F-qqFO6h-qCOkRZy7BuQIFW_owZruQv47T25hb9sAmvAmmpa7W_IkxHwRguXooMhchNgP2lapSRis7Wx0U6WxU7BKRUpzwQG8TVGyAie2lKYeLmE0fH3HDno/s320/WOODC+9.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719841322701409650" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photographed by Rob Sandham</div><div><br /></div><div>Just 1 Woodcock caught last night, a gorgeous adult bird with white tipped primary coverts and lovely fresh and rounded primary tips. </div><div><br /></div><div>My lamping total now stands at 9 Woodcock, 1 Shelduck, 1 Jackdaw and 1 Meadow Pipit. Fantastic! </div><div><br /></div><div>A quick look at Pentremawr Lake in Abergele proved tricky as I missed 2 Coot, 1 Moorhen and 1 Little Grebe. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will be back out there tomorrow night for these birds so check back then to see how the night went on.. </div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-67534524767573577162012-03-12T09:34:00.003-07:002012-03-12T09:39:22.265-07:00Nest Box Checking in Atherton!<div style="text-align: center;"><span><u></u></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Jdtdmev3DyMlrIdUfzw6-lY5WqyrkKbWnMVdi2PrDHpQ14VFO_QX8_yYttpBb50Xv6uDCVNC6t3lCH26DoAtlRGkhSgSlZGmVDr9LXJ71uWGVl5ryc6zbWfn13Mw0RMZ9898Q3FUWVU/s320/TAWOW+ATH+001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719050185240613618" /><div style="text-align: center;"></div>This weekend I travelled over to Atherton to give Kane a help in hand putting up 40 Nest boxes in Atherton Woods, ready for the forthcoming breeding season.<br /><br />Throughout the weekend, Zac and Ciaran joined in to help, with Sunday seeing us putting up 10 metal plated nest boxes as part of Zac's dissertation project.<br /><br />Ringing carried out during the weekend including catching 2 Tawny Owls in nest boxes; a bird in Atherton Woods and the Female in Kane's garden.<br /><br />More ringing to follow this week in North Wales so check back soon to see what I've been catching..Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-13929874936817199762012-03-08T07:58:00.004-08:002012-03-08T08:01:02.762-08:00More Woodcock!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmomXEv02z1rUE2thaFDTbTOX7Wm99AqdQvldAhsPqtOibTBq0LhV0T88Cbwj84DXaY1HwNsTdLVkSPXeZDPxS9u6_SCseQIVE0uiYt4MveD45_J0jLTWOCjGwxmyPogqDHXJJ-yySRIM/s1600/WOODCOCK%2521%2521%2521%2521.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmomXEv02z1rUE2thaFDTbTOX7Wm99AqdQvldAhsPqtOibTBq0LhV0T88Cbwj84DXaY1HwNsTdLVkSPXeZDPxS9u6_SCseQIVE0uiYt4MveD45_J0jLTWOCjGwxmyPogqDHXJJ-yySRIM/s320/WOODCOCK%2521%2521%2521%2521.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717556290206777986" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 100%; "> Photographed by Alex Jones</span></div><br />The blog has been rather quite lately so I thought I would catch up on the ringing front. There isn't much to report on really apart from a single lamping session. Venturing out on 1st March proved another productive session with another 2 Woodcock caught. I have now successfully lamped 8 Woodcock, 1 Shelduck and 1 Jackdaw. Here's to the next 10 birds!!<br /><br />Around 8 birds were seen during the night but most were rather flighty, so tricky to get close to..<br /><br />More interestingly, a trip out to Glanwydden Lane last night on the full moon proved very educational. A grand total of 18 Woodcock and 1 Snipe were seen in my main field so I am really looking forward to getting out on the new moon period around 14th March. Who knows it could be a very busy night!<br /><br />Hope this keeps you interested for now until I am next out ringing...Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-52647499435999328142012-02-28T14:30:00.010-08:002012-03-08T07:57:36.607-08:00North Wales Woodcock!<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigg6kGnqTswGYXimA6AWtp1yintU7Ie06aUGiVBZw-FjiOk-biOc4WrjLeZWuiSeVYsm-lsgF76VBe9FjiAJuBKq3Zo08wupI-mfQ1y03HGOfIdzWrA2rljOUxxtnYpHfGdoWEkp8Rt5Y/s320/RECENT+RINGING+012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714317951614080642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div>Over the past couple of weeks you may have read that I have been out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lamping</span> several nights on my twitter feed. This has been highly successful and I am now a competent dazzler and have no trouble in catching several birds in a night. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have recently gained permission to 'lamp' on the whole of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mostyn</span> Estates on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Glanwydden</span> Lane in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Llandudno</span> and I would just like to say a massive thank you to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Mostyn</span> Estates for allowing permission and to Marc Hughes for sorting this permission out for me. This is site is ideal for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">lamping</span> as I have a wide variety of habitats in which to catch birds; short grazed grassy fields with an abundance of Woodcock. A small pond, woodland, marshland and stubble fields.<br /><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXJx0RGz72kOCK82qhaoOBOFcmH21s45qfXAMAkhhm4HIT9B3ME7UMFTMCNihxSM8RPSsOyhuG3nOtW8ul3yRymVxjb7IlpyNJKY8A6saM20Z4qxrC1sTrPotZGLimKe-mEssZaa-hV8/s320/WOODCOCK+003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714318794442888706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div>I have made 2 trips here in the last week or so and have managed to lamp, catch and ring 4 Woodcock. These birds have been relatively easy to catch once I got used to catching. Just 1 Adult caught with the other 3 birds having been Juveniles. I have also learnt that ageing Woodcock is fairly easy so in a future post I will outline the ageing criteria for this species.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div>Seeing as though I have always wanted to see one of these birds in the hand and I have never had the privilege of ringing one, I thought I would include a picture of myself and my first Woodcock. I have also had the misfortune of missing 4 Woodcock and I can assure you when that happens you can hear me from far away. Walking the hills at night is peaceful and there seem to be Woodcock in every corner of the field. Taking people out is also rewarding as they can't see the birds sat on the deck as clearly as me so showing them what I look out for is great. </div><div><br /></div><div>Whilst out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">lamping</span> on this site I have also managed to lamp and then hand catch a Jackdaw in the dark which was rather interesting. Although I have missed 4 Woodcock and a Moorhen which I netted but the little bleeder dived under and out of the net.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvV4hb5HboPKluXKGKqz3Bajy-g8d3217d1D1gsLskTbENNAxlxlbHvsrmyV7P08ZLYsqZO5gNKlgzNHQDTpVlBClJmQaO-no4iyCkDwV7yZLnFJ4Xu1NvfHOhVl0QgKrE5nrkAfUpRzM/s320/WOODCOCK+004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714318787974426258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7BxqU0xtf_sgVZPTfphpIWvsMRaA83Id0UZi0AWH3fb-a6YJmppAzettR6tH-k4W8t7DtxPhT_q7xyPDwc-potZGiFMEiPMHwF4a9w8zzBY-x10DzVaDiELDIJoflqvHZGsAtlg_NCY/s320/JACKD+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714317963415100098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is the Juvenile Jackdaw that I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">lamped</span> and hand caught - a little beauty! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Huge thanks to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Mostyn</span> Estates for allowing me permission and to Marc Hughes for sorting the permission out for me. Thanks also to Alex Jones and local birder Tony for accompanying me on several nights <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">lamping</span>. </div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-81673464823223285852012-02-28T14:07:00.005-08:002012-02-28T14:29:15.637-08:00How do you catch 56 Siskin?!<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6ZWj_t3hZaP8_ivfkqY04tLiStcXbogWTTd3agFidKKVfqkk-KqJ5EnjuT0CRYB2aO4r2s82CH4Fq3_S6wLfXsrlDfCCk_ZoJq_dfcgf0qd6nysoksVgf9c37BYcWtVldZMXI3GPOcw/s320/RECENT+RINGING+007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714311947780278450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><div><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-size: 100%;">Firstly I must apologize for the lack of postings o</span></span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">n the blog lately but as my time here in Bangor is slowly picking up the pace with even m</span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">ore work and a busier schedule than normal, time to update the blog has been far and few between.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; ">As the title of this post suggests I have been mainly catching <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Siskins</span> lately and a total of 56 birds have been captured in my drop trap. This includes 52 New birds, 3 re-traps and 1 Control. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Here she is - my first ever control and what a species to start on - a 6F <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Siskin</span> - L869279. Does this ring number ring any bells to anyone, if so please get in touch with me as I would love to hear where she was ringed. </span></div></span></span><div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6ZWj_t3hZaP8_ivfkqY04tLiStcXbogWTTd3agFidKKVfqkk-KqJ5EnjuT0CRYB2aO4r2s82CH4Fq3_S6wLfXsrlDfCCk_ZoJq_dfcgf0qd6nysoksVgf9c37BYcWtVldZMXI3GPOcw/s1600/RECENT+RINGING+007.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNnPWauN9K3LwN0RIo5vej7jspmbZ73qGzSmwSHF2CqWC0E5XIzLohbcZyufUev9hhDNCt8NchQN92uqMCbMYNxRm5PEyfcazZ78KwmiJ3lg2WtBPyrIihQYPaCXjLbHmVxlnVDaX1EI/s1600/RECENT+RINGING+008.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNnPWauN9K3LwN0RIo5vej7jspmbZ73qGzSmwSHF2CqWC0E5XIzLohbcZyufUev9hhDNCt8NchQN92uqMCbMYNxRm5PEyfcazZ78KwmiJ3lg2WtBPyrIihQYPaCXjLbHmVxlnVDaX1EI/s320/RECENT+RINGING+008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714311956852227762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; ">My catch has involved a grand total of 23 Males and 33 Females, of which 38 have been <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">euring</span> age code 5 and 18 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">euring</span> age code 6. I wish I could have caught the flock as there are still about 30-40 birds around with many <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">un</span>-ringed birds so I may pay a visit to Matt's garden this week and see if I can reach the 100 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Siskin</span> mark? Can I catch 44 more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Siskins</span>??</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmzxWiXluAE1MsQbb5bhoM6LJQN8K-rqllxWpUMfSM8suSkev2ppLNoU3WpHPwCb3ZTlFMsfhE6ZxfYbQye_PcXkK7v2JcVkl-TY5_noMJhgL6z-JRgdc55z9q51RdtWpj5L96RvPD4A/s320/RECENT+RINGING+004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714311943886918642" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; ">Huge thanks to Matt for allowing me to catch and ring all these birds in his garden as I have now captured 186 birds in our garden in Bangor. </span> </div></div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-10047900854123253882012-02-16T13:09:00.000-08:002012-02-16T13:32:38.084-08:00Siskin showdown!<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_IJ1F5THhWFLMuInj00JOmintpU4n7E4bsy8GPvNGO3oWE6kzdp1YhtvlMcgYEoCcCutwbAov6xPiUKT03klW1yZABZq0TRN33KOWlncDuiBVsWKvhaZZsxWHgNfhF5Nh6z6DiHPqyk/s320/SISKIN+004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709844105164356914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Over the past few days there has been a flock of around 40 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Siskin</span> residing in Matt's garden in Bangor with a large proportion of the flock making visits to our feeders with many feeding on the floor. It is only until now that I have had time to make a visit over there with my traps. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Unaware of how many I would actually be able to catch I made the decision to try and catch a good proportion on the floor as they were constantly feeding on the Niger seed. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Chardonneret</span> was put to the side for once and my drop trap put into practice for the first time. Matt and I made this trap at the end of 2011 with the hope that it would come in use one day; yesterday it sure did that! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_IJ1F5THhWFLMuInj00JOmintpU4n7E4bsy8GPvNGO3oWE6kzdp1YhtvlMcgYEoCcCutwbAov6xPiUKT03klW1yZABZq0TRN33KOWlncDuiBVsWKvhaZZsxWHgNfhF5Nh6z6DiHPqyk/s1600/SISKIN+004.JPG" style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxG5SNaODPchwf93yolEFVrybHcK7QF9lkDBG5J6lGmqkK1uC9rw0SEvxIgmqHxZ6tXskEIDjZKZ31aymCNkvppdmlP8UfeNsiCEs9_LMnn3uevcl6n5YzONIJrBHLZbhx0vqp6bHFTJ4/s320/SISKIN+010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709844152190848802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span></span></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">This is the drop trap that I used yesterday to catch the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Siskin</span> I did. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday I spent the whole morning in the garden resulting in 23 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Siskin</span> being caught in this drop trap! Catches of 2, 5, 6, and 10 were made and all new birds. 1 Blackbird and 1 Robin were also caught in here too with just 2 Blue tit in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Chardonneret</span> Trap! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJZXgJqOEeRzCt30SOFDX_z1K29eqVUIg4hkkoUhu6qeE0gFD6w1FFJAEDzbkcnMbyyqZ22-I0_yTdPFgKZVZKuEzEWGpxoksFEQFEsa815T47HKg8m_8DpzLpfhgxCJBZ6bTVxh1Nns/s320/SISKIN+007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709844123678142274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A mix of males and females of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">euring</span> age code 5 and 6 were captured during the morning and unfortunately no controls were caught. I would love my first control with my permit to be a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Siskin</span> but you will have to wait and see if this happens on my next visit next week when I have more A rings as that morning I ran out - never good! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioV38MVLeyBzuXErzHWhHFARHXDz5fa5WuaHB5DHd4GQIRIV0SAwiJRXlFUfXQiGDy1Lh95Vxe4dmGSqsYmpFY7zYTCAxGHRD1USchhNck4k3H_cVW_3aFxhy5CvqyV_uDCqvNBRRGsKc/s320/SISKIN+009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709844111294027794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks to Matt for allowing me to ring in his garden once more. If you do happen to catch a flock of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Siskin</span> with rings beginning with Y088480 through to Y088500, please let me know! </div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-75390159399331521582012-02-14T13:11:00.002-08:002012-02-14T13:19:45.209-08:00Cheshire Coot Catching!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTG99CyEtDAUBEd714Jw2KZag0fY3DS7vzQZWUMkZswmIMNfzfz85OglrUhqe6wJIuoVbcJfLfVEgkzqS9lIsKSzgSFikr-ut7KP_vKHai_KON4xWa_ZS4t_mQljtXAs-tXuSzG0aQGUk/s1600/TUDFD+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTG99CyEtDAUBEd714Jw2KZag0fY3DS7vzQZWUMkZswmIMNfzfz85OglrUhqe6wJIuoVbcJfLfVEgkzqS9lIsKSzgSFikr-ut7KP_vKHai_KON4xWa_ZS4t_mQljtXAs-tXuSzG0aQGUk/s320/TUDFD+002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709102742381548866" /></a>This weekend just gone was spent down in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Atherton</span> with Kane, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ciaran</span>, Gillian and Andy. Cold weather had captivated Cheshire and the surrounding areas of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Atherton</span> so the weekend was made up of our hand catching method. Good numbers of Coot were caught during the weekend, as well as Black-headed Gull, Canada goose and 1 Tufted Duck. <div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUBMwHVevhJdGwR6tRQD4cpPzE4lXviUAM5a1vCzS90onalyvaf3vf9jo8CpAeZse1BxqO_WPuJfo_twhQhI3ze5JFx-VNzaJ6VfyKyjFIjT79zrUZ5rlhnh7CpU0fxoKLDZljds-SbA/s1600/TUDFD+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUBMwHVevhJdGwR6tRQD4cpPzE4lXviUAM5a1vCzS90onalyvaf3vf9jo8CpAeZse1BxqO_WPuJfo_twhQhI3ze5JFx-VNzaJ6VfyKyjFIjT79zrUZ5rlhnh7CpU0fxoKLDZljds-SbA/s320/TUDFD+003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709102732228678050" /></a>I have to thank Kane for this bird, as this is the 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">nd</span> Tufted Duck I have ever ringed. One day I will catch my own but as always it was great to familiarise myself with the ageing criteria for this species for when the time comes when I catch a few in North Wales.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WB-QJJiefIWPndhjcHKnr8-9dsLKAUINt72xMaisnHunjsd-2F-jcm_ZSk-pRjZJ-CGkbkMwAKu2HrOzG5zA6k4jEEqtf2hdKSo9zAIx7aNAru6g0_DhNXzisCz0MeYRzawJJv46mm8/s1600/TUDFD+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WB-QJJiefIWPndhjcHKnr8-9dsLKAUINt72xMaisnHunjsd-2F-jcm_ZSk-pRjZJ-CGkbkMwAKu2HrOzG5zA6k4jEEqtf2hdKSo9zAIx7aNAru6g0_DhNXzisCz0MeYRzawJJv46mm8/s320/TUDFD+001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709102722681672114" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Redesmere</span> Lake in Cheshire was covered in ice, so the catching was pretty constant and as you can see the railings provide a bit of cover to hide behind when we catch our Coot. </div><div><br /></div><div>Huge thanks to Kane for an awesome weekend and thanks also to Gillian, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ciaran</span> and Andy for making it a very enjoyable weekend. </div><div><br /></div><div>A small mist-netting session in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Atherton</span> Woods was also carried out with several Blue, Great and Coal tits caught, as well as Chaffinch and Robin. </div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-32623626044602248972012-02-09T07:47:00.000-08:002012-02-09T07:57:33.267-08:00It all amounts up!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VeL1S0sXCp4pphQPp5JfqPvDG4diOJe-a5WWKWQ5hNQ-dFGTIoZmUqiglI8rUeK_2n4azZNpqva1z4bp9AqQorgfy9-L6df36Y9Jvo_pBZU_TsIg9SIH6F67v0wgws93Zu8SytrB4Yg/s1600/RHYL+BRICKWORKS+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VeL1S0sXCp4pphQPp5JfqPvDG4diOJe-a5WWKWQ5hNQ-dFGTIoZmUqiglI8rUeK_2n4azZNpqva1z4bp9AqQorgfy9-L6df36Y9Jvo_pBZU_TsIg9SIH6F67v0wgws93Zu8SytrB4Yg/s320/RHYL+BRICKWORKS+003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707163206547337474" /></a>I spent yesterday down at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rhyl</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Brickworks</span> with the aim to catch a couple of Coot during the day. I invited Matt along as well, so he could gain some more valuable ringing and ageing experience of Coot. <div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately just 2 Coot were caught during the day. I am not disappointed by the number, as each bird amounts up to my target of 30 birds which I need to reach before April, so the next few weeks ahead are going to be busy but I'm looking forward to it all.. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Rhyl</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Brickworks</span> is owned by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Denbighshire</span> County Council and is home to around 40 Coot at the moment with most coming in to a small area where the birds are fed regularly. However, these Coot are very skittish and each time I catch a Coot they all flush and won't come back for some considerable time. Several other methods are in hand at this site, with the means to boost the catch rate per day so next visit could be more interesting. </div><div><br /></div><div>A quick visit to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Pentremawr</span> Lake where at least 3o Coot reside; these are also in need of ringing and just 1 Coot on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Tir</span> Prince in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Towyn</span>. </div><div><br /></div><div>A quick visit to another site on the outskirts of Bangor today to see if there are any Coot on site revealed there to be 5 birds <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">un</span>-ringed so there is another job, for one late night when the new moon arrives next week. </div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-74514076804056254172012-02-07T08:00:00.000-08:002012-02-07T09:31:19.044-08:00North Wales Coot Project!<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPdQO3FFiOQ9B3-JeLdMFwme_yHIQTybZHJnSe0AFQMUbohW7zTEqgG-LsmOfXKShLI5R-TO_63XUL8-pZNYX-OxutbWqyXmTpr5RUW1_-VIjO1kifAqNiauNnZvcFSM0NtndLcbAvfM/s320/COOTING+002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706424707268826354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Over the weekend, I decided to swap from trapping; giving it a break for a while and change to our hand catching method around North Wales. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have very recently started the North Wales Coot Project which is running in conjunction to the main project, run by Kane in the north-west. Sorting permissions and site access has been main our main priority but I am happy to say that the project has now begun and well under way. I now have at least half a dozen sites for Coot whether they be small or large lakes. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sunday 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> February I took <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Zac</span> and Matt along to my new site at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Rhyl</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Brickworks</span> Local Nature Reserve to see what I could catch. After gaining permission from the site warden, (Adrian <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Hibbert</span>) and also thanks to local North Wales birder John Roberts; I set about catching. During the morning 3 Coot were caught and colour-ringed. A Juvenile Black-headed gull was also caught by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Zac</span>, (not what I was after but a welcome bird all the same). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkMQQ_53ddescDOCSEZUHJTHZvU6fefGaH5gFaPT9GPBFxB30dTvyzHsLJJUC-j5zMGvXWhmYab_5hf-QZop2o8dt2DOzl0ELAeIZpvLaTlM8ufZjW0SrRKCCeZ4Pmq13JNqAINXJo40/s320/COOT+LEG+JUVENILE.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706424709374711778" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Birds are being given a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">BTO</span> Metal ring on their right leg and colour ring on their left; white <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">darvic</span> with black lettering. If you happen to see a Coot wearing a colour ring, please can you report all sightings to kanebrides'@'gmail.com. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOeL5mMhX4CTD5tt5ay9Zf97UvJ1ks3voGMaj4t69lGl13gIdEZK46s997BkLF5lY2mut2NxMHyd5zD3Xt_ZcCiOtAItOmRhZNpp-YSpDEpGNaR1Gkz09ae0jKIAyAZUmTZeGd-8PcRk/s320/COOTING+007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706424718210259954" /><div style="text-align: left;"><span><u>If you know of any Coot around North Wales, whether a single bird on a local park lake or a nice sized flock, please could you get in touch with me or leave a comment on the blog and I will get back to you. </u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><u>Huge thanks to Kane Brides for helping hugely with the project in North Wales, to John Roberts for gaining permission to ring on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Rhyl</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Brickworks</span> Local Nature Reserve and to Adrian <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Hibbert</span> for giving permission. </u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><u>I will be out again tomorrow catching so check back then for a full update. </u></span></div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-16852190090587235562012-02-07T07:39:00.000-08:002012-02-07T08:00:44.394-08:00Traps bring 200th bird!<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJ6oZcMQF8Vl7HWGSW4NVNEBxY-QCH8mvM-ceKO94zcyMppOo-KeWF2lTHG_SRxtxSPbY4tCftuiLOxVOZaJxxydC0eFp0tg9lnlwkzAujVYblVp6VfrTVyBVVW9n9iHeTutxlOdZ6bo/s320/Birds+022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706419902638550802" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I last did a post about trapping, it was back in January (25<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span>), when I caught my 150<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> bird! Since then and only in a 2 week period, I have managed to capture over 200 birds in traps. I have now caught a grand total of 208 birds, (193 New and 15 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Retrap</span>) with my C Permit. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">These last few weeks have been exceptional for trapping with some rather scarce species being caught. A late afternoon session in Matt's garden in Bangor produced this gorgeous female <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Blackcap</span> in the potter trap along with this stunning male <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Siskin</span> in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Chardonneret</span> trap! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6-4jXGypippMihw4qRovSdI3CrW5UvnIYJs5wYBve05N-D22WP_F5sSfskQMj_zRjMcRuyhktt6pCMyUldjBmfF4sF3U-TcfTATLrjZpiYC0VYEwfjrEgmnLn09hjcZNap10RVQSqdo/s320/SISKIN%2521%2521%2521.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706419877395761602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px; " />A very late <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">lamping</span> session around the shores of Bangor produced this lovely Adult Female <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Shelduck</span> (my 1st '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">lamped'</span> bird and hopefully the first of many). </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBRSSxzyJPgBXORnqf9YBZT30LUZnKLYOufZN2APlMglsOxZmZJ-Wf4y-aTK11rhGp3oImkaT6qhSi-Mg_vKopgfX2d_S6-hZYLPRvD38gcnFL9txg0P4lZel3eGNCGf0MRVXu-A8hr8/s320/RINGING%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521+012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706421726154485458" style="text-align: center; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div>A session in Alex's Garden in St. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Asaph</span> produced an exceptional 42 birds throughout the day. 33 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 2 Blackbird, 1 Goldfinch, 2 Robin and another female <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Blackcap</span>. If you would like to see Alex's report of this amazing trapping day, <a href="http://birdingnorthwales.blogspot.com/"><span >please see here. </span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwk15TF6FNBMrsvJFyBLt7Ga2CU7kcFzkSXjEr7aqn0x41TltWdtfAnl6J1ZfKfsSFA0mXKBXxbI6raL1BBh8FO8qDV2Ja0hdhtc9MdgKL4jYA2OEwMchde0f7gsORfyQpb4vnsfWKgGc/s320/RINGING%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521+022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706419922337736882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrczzpUXAQHDmtmEfPxyMrZf4xC-6jtpnaTBfUmLXFcGR9aZuWzd6FEVq7hJBRF_4VVKUfl0YA3vkZNQLDCEV5-BKVqnAaWusOAhmzT5pPzPPHcxV8_rZGPGlMqUW2C1VA3Z4QtIEcG28/s320/RINGING%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521+024.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706419911040205042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Although as I type this post, there are currently a flock of 12 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Siskin</span> and several Lesser <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Redpoll</span> on my trapping table in Bangor; I am distracting myself away from trapping for a short period and concentrating on university work as well as the North Wales Coot Project. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Huge thanks to Matt, Rob and Alex for allowing me to ring in their gardens again. More ringing to follow soon.. </div></div></div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-36268887328489590862012-02-04T08:08:00.000-08:002012-02-04T08:35:26.323-08:00Colourful Catching!<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaq7BuHuXi3Ru_4iN9DI-0R5fw4M2BBQvwRze6hu2EHJdzRryISPq6VaACE6AcH1BwwG5jyeDBSarlB4mEYqeAMPEasqkna33JY7NpLvPWu7vTEA64DGHvami_apX6CUOfe6RocEMrjQ4/s1600/RINGING%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaq7BuHuXi3Ru_4iN9DI-0R5fw4M2BBQvwRze6hu2EHJdzRryISPq6VaACE6AcH1BwwG5jyeDBSarlB4mEYqeAMPEasqkna33JY7NpLvPWu7vTEA64DGHvami_apX6CUOfe6RocEMrjQ4/s320/RINGING%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521+004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705314761260939746" />Time hasn't half flown by and I still can't believe that we are already in February; the breeding season will soon be here and still there is so much to do. I will kick start February's ringing with several posts of my most recent ringing. </a><div><br /></div><div>Last weekend, on Sunday 29th January I headed over to Atherton to meet up with Kane, Ciaran, Gillian and Zac to help out with Zac's colour ringing project on Blue tits as part of his dissertation. Whilst keeping an eye out for Great Tits showing signs of Avian Pox, we managed to capture 97 birds throughout the ringing session. Mainly tits with Great, Coal and Blue contributing to the totals for the day but also Chaffinch, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Goldcrest were caught. </div><div><br /></div><div>A total of 20 Blue Tits were colour ringed during the day; a great effort! </div><div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7h6VbffuJuHf87KeFv6a3ZPn-dX-fGU8IHxdtlnKZNi_HSrApnN3Kf6grRMf0xVG9V2z-Ii0yXrwzYFK17gjsS3vuf6M5JN04sk1aCtsKpHwYeqwt4X68a-Vmts_LmEoSoZqDBmjMgs/s320/RINGING%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521+006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705314781376101874" />Watching a pair of Tawny Owls breeding in a nest box in Kane's garden on Saturday night was great and with a camera installed now, their daily activities will be on show. This pair of Tawny Owl nest is our first card, as part of our 1,000 Nest Record Card challenge that we hope to complete this year. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXZ6ZOONcC86Y-054RDAuwr9wb0qUZHDXnnyhKXRsnyNhCzO0AT7bnNuWfgAwb75puLplrhmBG4mQ1bzhjTGyML6Zhwstcw_68rgekx3TXg2UPCDzGB6Ib0-toPgA8a2yIQWvSZyh0Uw/s320/RINGING%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521+005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705314771474585186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><div style="text-align: left;">An early morning session on the Sunday morning produced Blackbird, Bullfinch, Goldfinch and Robin and an afternoon hand catching at Crompton Lodges produced 3 Canada geese and 4 Coot. </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZajzIffPyjEz0hEs5vhez9sh-8vCFjswvAYFcBBQ-mV1M4zw0yvjmWVrmfCEKRNnP3-2AQxpLaCJQU-hMtJjWwsUFBIPbBLWRZxBPA0ABkDBhyphenhyphenR_PmsYC8fhxvgCXoEtzUktnE7phwqM/s320/RINGING%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521+009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705314799231333298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Huge thanks to Kane for an awesome weekend as usual and to the rest of the guys for a very enjoyable weekend. See you all again soon. </div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-43688588067860943872012-01-25T12:57:00.000-08:002012-01-25T13:21:49.247-08:00Traps bring 150th bird!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5pDSYTVAHTBGU1_RViuJ1Kjl_0DU8z2_MbjCQykH02mD5mJJBEHn_8N_FfnI5dAAajP6cgCguZP1weksfRrhulNEAxkepc5F1_sp-8AZLg4ZMtHVugjrBYgBK1ffG67BcYu_j-I8uK0/s1600/GARDEN+119.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5pDSYTVAHTBGU1_RViuJ1Kjl_0DU8z2_MbjCQykH02mD5mJJBEHn_8N_FfnI5dAAajP6cgCguZP1weksfRrhulNEAxkepc5F1_sp-8AZLg4ZMtHVugjrBYgBK1ffG67BcYu_j-I8uK0/s1600/GARDEN+119.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5pDSYTVAHTBGU1_RViuJ1Kjl_0DU8z2_MbjCQykH02mD5mJJBEHn_8N_FfnI5dAAajP6cgCguZP1weksfRrhulNEAxkepc5F1_sp-8AZLg4ZMtHVugjrBYgBK1ffG67BcYu_j-I8uK0/s320/GARDEN+119.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701677300344700178" /><span></span></a><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5pDSYTVAHTBGU1_RViuJ1Kjl_0DU8z2_MbjCQykH02mD5mJJBEHn_8N_FfnI5dAAajP6cgCguZP1weksfRrhulNEAxkepc5F1_sp-8AZLg4ZMtHVugjrBYgBK1ffG67BcYu_j-I8uK0/s1600/GARDEN+119.jpg" style="text-align: center; "><span style="text-align: left; ">In October 2011, (21st October to be exact), I ringed my first bird with my C Permit. A 3F Great tit was the culprit, caught in my </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" style="text-align: left; ">Chardonneret</span><span style="text-align: left; "> trap on our bird table that Matt and I constructed. From that day my ringing career began as a lone C Permit ringer and it has been a great 3 months so far.</span></a><span style="text-align: center; "> </span></span><div><div><br /></div><div>I consider all my birds to have been caught in traps, e.g. Potter, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Chardonneret</span>, Spring and Drop trap, as well as hand catching and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">lamping</span>. No Mist nets have been used as I am yet unable to use these with my permit. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5pDSYTVAHTBGU1_RViuJ1Kjl_0DU8z2_MbjCQykH02mD5mJJBEHn_8N_FfnI5dAAajP6cgCguZP1weksfRrhulNEAxkepc5F1_sp-8AZLg4ZMtHVugjrBYgBK1ffG67BcYu_j-I8uK0/s1600/GARDEN+119.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8VXj9XIhcmjRiXhs0PD_rdmXCY7Ns9FHONC2KNcwlDVuUB8wtkq1e6POP8j20Im3BF_5lRQ0xvC6fqFy1E-G1Glfxp1YOtx7jP4_FFy4dA8cw3-6geWS8H3G0pGpZ3ksC2hBBbvTy7c/s320/DAZZLING+010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701682218604948066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div></div></div><div>In this time (21st October 2011 - 24<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> January 2012), I have managed to catch 14 different species which have all been satisfying to catch as I have had to adapt my ways and techniques to try and target individual species. Goldfinch for example; catching 1 bird last year I have already caught 4 birds this year which was due to the position of the trap and choice of food.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday I spring trapped my 150<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span> bird, a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">retrap</span> Robin (Y337980) on a meal worm. Realising that I had reached this target I thought I would share with you my totals so far.. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; ">C PERMIT RINGING TOTALS</span></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Blue Tit - 86 (3)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Great Tit - 11 (2)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Robin - 10 (5)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Coal Tit - 8 (2)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Dunnock</span> - 5</div><div style="text-align: center;">Goldfinch - 5</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Greenfinch</span> - 3</div><div style="text-align: center;">Little Grebe - 2</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blackbird - 2</div><div style="text-align: center;">Long-Tailed Tit - 2 </div><div style="text-align: center;">Collard Dove - 1</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wren - 1</div><div style="text-align: center;">Nuthatch - 1</div><div style="text-align: center;">Black-headed Gull - 1</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I would also like to say a massive thank you to Matt in Bangor, Rob <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Sandham</span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Conwy</span> and Alex Jones in St.<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Asaph</span> for allowing me to ring in their gardens. A huge thank you also to Tony Cross for the Little Grebe experience. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I will hopefully be out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">lamping</span> with my new torch tomorrow night (if it arrives) so will update on my catch soon after.. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am hoping my 200<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">th</span> bird will be something special and an extra special blog post is needed for that! </div></div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-73299957227073323732012-01-24T12:05:00.000-08:002012-01-24T13:35:51.098-08:00Waders in Wales!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pRU9GW9yNrGMbrji0q7rnm08cQ8yYIxkkYjNfiAdTzuMaB_8qQwLkV9C5YBHch23H3DepqRoaCYvsgDuYtWSntfTqRenBsOWswdUPzWg6c5qOxe-fj-o_OQDKNyd4GBLv_m0_9E0C6s/s1600/Wash+wader+ringing+050.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pRU9GW9yNrGMbrji0q7rnm08cQ8yYIxkkYjNfiAdTzuMaB_8qQwLkV9C5YBHch23H3DepqRoaCYvsgDuYtWSntfTqRenBsOWswdUPzWg6c5qOxe-fj-o_OQDKNyd4GBLv_m0_9E0C6s/s320/Wash+wader+ringing+050.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701293553528517778" /></a>Last night I headed along to Morfa Madryn near Llanfairfechan for some night time wader mist netting. Steve, Rachel and I headed out with Zac, Matt and Ros and set several nets across saltmarsh pools in the hope for a mixed variety of waders throughout the night. <div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYCEMg4PjOSuiJ_cQbnk-b784ucoRWQVTDP78KHbWT3zGV_0b6PHtJ06j5gmzRo9n1dXz75nMRMo-j5ZXJfuZzOpZH2bSVoaSDL4gfGg0G5-UE5T8X78nC9XA05_PmwbZ2AI9c-9fvIs/s1600/Madryn+and+Purp+009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYCEMg4PjOSuiJ_cQbnk-b784ucoRWQVTDP78KHbWT3zGV_0b6PHtJ06j5gmzRo9n1dXz75nMRMo-j5ZXJfuZzOpZH2bSVoaSDL4gfGg0G5-UE5T8X78nC9XA05_PmwbZ2AI9c-9fvIs/s320/Madryn+and+Purp+009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701292559741249746" /></a>A superb session with good numbers of Dunlin (50), Knot (13), Redshank (7) and Oystercatcher (5), and Mallard (2), were caught throughout the night. Finishing around 2am, we had all had a superb night and huge thanks as always to Steve and Rachel for a great night! Huge thanks also to the rest of the guys for making it a thoroughly enjoyable nights ringing! </div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-72970593015553375232012-01-21T09:52:00.000-08:002012-01-22T06:11:22.719-08:00Purple Sandpiper!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAlr5QyIAord5Z9iMVx4GqNxZ9fTS-maFwy6G_NRrEIyBHJgLTHZ4abIKz_s0Vo-4ep4ceVGLWPDCMAmt-TSL9LDQFJv3rxSq-PbCy2DuYyR4ipAzjBnwN4SIS_PINnFix0c3IjCDqV0/s1600/PURP+014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAlr5QyIAord5Z9iMVx4GqNxZ9fTS-maFwy6G_NRrEIyBHJgLTHZ4abIKz_s0Vo-4ep4ceVGLWPDCMAmt-TSL9LDQFJv3rxSq-PbCy2DuYyR4ipAzjBnwN4SIS_PINnFix0c3IjCDqV0/s320/PURP+014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700145451400696338" /></a>This weekend I joined up with Steve, Rachel and other ringing enthusiasts for the January session at SCAN. January represents the start of the 2012 SCAN cannon netting season and we kicked it off with a great start. <div><br /></div><div>An early rise on Saturday morning ready for a catch at Rhos point near Colwyn Bay. Our intentions were to try and catch Turnstone during the morning and our efforts were certainly rewarded. Throughout the morning 2 catches were made at Rhos point on different sections of beach. Good numbers of Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Dunlin and Redshank were caught as well as 1 Purple Sandpiper. An absolutely gorgeous bird to ring and as always, it was great to get to grips with the ageing criteria for this species. </div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDFNlBB9RLV1lTr7FzRUpYiFHQjYiQZQmBb1WxDmOEx0APTJxpwXXZlFmu_x4OgL0h9IcNAs3lPBfrgcNyHfN9Lf28EtAsC4zwK1laiOPnBsMlN5_cKzROkseV5mSkFKegGYGgwcz_ko/s1600/PURP+013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDFNlBB9RLV1lTr7FzRUpYiFHQjYiQZQmBb1WxDmOEx0APTJxpwXXZlFmu_x4OgL0h9IcNAs3lPBfrgcNyHfN9Lf28EtAsC4zwK1laiOPnBsMlN5_cKzROkseV5mSkFKegGYGgwcz_ko/s320/PURP+013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700145437766776002" /></a>Ringing and processing took place underneath the wall at Rhos point and with a nice large team, everything ran quickly and smoothly during the morning. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QqqjFVVRxx-jxnih2WVM1GZBoL7lt1_xvQ00knVUnCw1AWyFYGGf-SIiW24djj43hehprz0muQjrfDqZqgeTgmI9qZeTIMYuBs6O8ISO6qsus8YzntkzEvAMD7VP8bMk7X-hefVkGXk/s1600/PURP+012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QqqjFVVRxx-jxnih2WVM1GZBoL7lt1_xvQ00knVUnCw1AWyFYGGf-SIiW24djj43hehprz0muQjrfDqZqgeTgmI9qZeTIMYuBs6O8ISO6qsus8YzntkzEvAMD7VP8bMk7X-hefVkGXk/s320/PURP+012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700145430352514642" /></a>Sunday morning I decided to take a day off and catch up with some work, but a catch was made in Bangor harbour where good numbers of Redshank were caught, along with several Oystercatcher and 2 welcome Grey Heron. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGU6NXzERvnfq7KPbAFEDH4v0W2blfSXmzQYAEMGcgAqDo8nekBhaHZ8POnx1-EZKV2LDjs3Ix7T0to9YLi1dyGEjWewIF0MD84xlDFkfcxLQuTpYiwhvzoWau5rAcEHzcG4oqRzeays/s1600/PURP+019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGU6NXzERvnfq7KPbAFEDH4v0W2blfSXmzQYAEMGcgAqDo8nekBhaHZ8POnx1-EZKV2LDjs3Ix7T0to9YLi1dyGEjWewIF0MD84xlDFkfcxLQuTpYiwhvzoWau5rAcEHzcG4oqRzeays/s320/PURP+019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700145425427908642" /></a>Huge thanks to Steve and Rachel and the rest of the team for a very enjoyable weekend. It was also great to meet Charlie Sargent (a follower of the blog), on Saturday and I will hopefully see you again soon. Best of luck with your training Charlie! </div></div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-60947990158673523802012-01-19T11:15:00.000-08:002012-01-19T11:34:01.452-08:00You little beauty!!<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbl-EcWovKB21ZZ_BqdWddDfN5CDb-ijLJ-afx6UUa4_Af6MVdyZgDTDfqIq-ElgxUYxMkgSbrhbYZEbhHgdSh2S7H41rJqiniScjr2hBus90Tg5o5H0WcNgLwHM7_4DIQGrpTyAJWIPs/s320/DAZZLING+013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699424292086755122" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last night I joined up with Tony Cross and Adrienne Stratford to help out with their colour ringing Chough Project on Anglesey. A long and enjoyable night was had with great company and great birds. Highlights last night including catching these 3 Chough at their roost site, with 2 New birds and 1 Retrap being caught. The retrap was more than welcome during the night, as it was a bird that I ringed as a chick back in May 2010, so it was good to see that it had survived the harsh winter. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviGN3sRjihTjFhy9o6B9EG5D-p45iL1kswVlVUlAkXpUEphyQ6F9Rjpz09kNIwWYLX5cd_8K99luV5VmskP2R9M9Y1JfJEJ3l8-4p6uvWt6Q8MQfu-0zZY9QIZbXOs18enDdsHHvaHrY/s320/DAZZLING+014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699424287692640594" /></div><div>The 3 Chough behaved incredibly well and have to be one of the best birds I have handled so far this year. Let there be many more experiences like this one to follow. </div><div><br /></div><div>After the clocks turned to the early hours of the morning, Tony and I dropped Adrienne back off at her car and carried on into the night to see what we could find. </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8v-4Xus-TqUPjpV673RVS1SqcskLPMVFp54X0bzX9hckDVhlrrdjCMwjGiJVRbXRvxp9yA5ZnOeKqkTEk-yebrNkxiEwV2Pf83_GDv88iBF2P6r_aCe4nv0Jc1WQrbBnhYXe2mPpCrE/s320/DAZZLING+021.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699424272216681058" /></div><div>Finding a tidal inlet on Anglesey was well worth it and a combined effort between us both brought 3 Little Grebes. I have always wanted to ring one of these little beauties but to catch 3 in under half an hour was exceptional. Tony Cross sure is the man with the lamp as far as I am concerned. However now that he has passed on his expertise I will soon be out dazzling with my new acquired lamp with the intention of catching some superb species. </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuKgXpJ8B6r-abXuads6macuip-0k0a2xxozKMuR4evm_Bw-HLTqQj8aEyLX-Cj2vlz39xWbwUmycn-4QRnH3Igiy5FIOo5gWFpJArDWYualq1D3x8IU5XvCDAUWofBFuWqJkrkzN3yk/s320/DAZZLING+019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699424277172862690" /></div><div>All 3 Little Grebes were absolute gems in the hand and never have I been lost for words when I've been handling a bird, truly awesome! I intend to try and catch some in North Wales in the next few weeks once my new torch arrives. </div><div><br /></div><div>A massive thanks are in order to Tony and Adrienne for a truly unforgettable experience. </div><div><br /></div><div>For Tony's account of the night please visit <span ><a href="http://midwalesringers.blogspot.com/">Tony's Blog here. </a></span></div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-84812467531095290592012-01-16T10:31:00.000-08:002012-01-16T10:53:48.010-08:00Re-traps with the Spring Traps!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIVqDd4M2MLsNBc9gdo3omnPG_NbeqNRXBWy-_P-p6wtrOR6mou4ig4RNlubS3QkffbqXtH_WX26AcLj4hcf4o9-arvCWkxvQlAXC7x0KMpuPTcyN2-YclWFIF6WplKIe9ym0WBZuxNc/s1600/GARDEN+161.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIVqDd4M2MLsNBc9gdo3omnPG_NbeqNRXBWy-_P-p6wtrOR6mou4ig4RNlubS3QkffbqXtH_WX26AcLj4hcf4o9-arvCWkxvQlAXC7x0KMpuPTcyN2-YclWFIF6WplKIe9ym0WBZuxNc/s320/GARDEN+161.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698300053825500354" /></a>This afternoon for a short break, I nipped out for a 3 hour ringing session to Matt's Garden in Bangor to see what could be caught with the Chardonneret and Spring Trap. <div><br /></div><div>During the 3 hours a nice catch of 7 birds were caught including my 3rd Goldfinch and 2nd Blackbird, both being adult birds. I also re-trapped 2 Robin, 1 Great Tit and 1 Coal Tit. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeLW71U5MfZnKhd7Oc_zh9S8Mfz2WuXdXbeGTL8bBPF75nDK1caIbpesUCrWGXHD5_F2032AQwM9ZqPJ8F47lojwbBFBA-8KBlaFodqUxKPZhmy7Moy-EdegMJZ7imT1XmjGdaXhAaKY/s1600/GARDEN+147.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeLW71U5MfZnKhd7Oc_zh9S8Mfz2WuXdXbeGTL8bBPF75nDK1caIbpesUCrWGXHD5_F2032AQwM9ZqPJ8F47lojwbBFBA-8KBlaFodqUxKPZhmy7Moy-EdegMJZ7imT1XmjGdaXhAaKY/s320/GARDEN+147.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698299587809032802" /></a>Hopefully I will be out ringing on Wednesday night so check back then to see what went on.. </div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-56862567545562827902012-01-13T13:57:00.000-08:002012-01-16T02:16:55.049-08:00Trapping Time!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfk6K6UIxcOI3mxHYifeXkALC3T1dl84lMmAdAXmTVnaJGvEZ_rvz1KDr8Rb8hPT5TLipdnFrRArF9IjRpzJill5p8CBCkCP4PT3ML96VZY14R7PNNNO7t0XUd0njqbwuhDSaV9R6H2XA/s1600/NEW%2521%2521+077.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfk6K6UIxcOI3mxHYifeXkALC3T1dl84lMmAdAXmTVnaJGvEZ_rvz1KDr8Rb8hPT5TLipdnFrRArF9IjRpzJill5p8CBCkCP4PT3ML96VZY14R7PNNNO7t0XUd0njqbwuhDSaV9R6H2XA/s320/NEW%2521%2521+077.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697244119581220130" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Over the past week I have been so tied up in my 10,000 word Management Plan that ringing has taken a back seat for a while but over the last week I have managed to fit in 3 ringing sessions. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHQO7wgBdvgicHtd786yz4JwU_4lmQKzr7Zkfev1jTQUPgUE_W2qpai5JH5qQTzmNM9MWmE7FneIVTQzyU3hBHZ3mpZdSCMsPg9hgGNwMYo8ivS98xgjEYOq5eHTGddL_Qmz8BWZpvTQ/s1600/NEW%2521%2521+077.JPG"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; "><br /></span></div></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHQO7wgBdvgicHtd786yz4JwU_4lmQKzr7Zkfev1jTQUPgUE_W2qpai5JH5qQTzmNM9MWmE7FneIVTQzyU3hBHZ3mpZdSCMsPg9hgGNwMYo8ivS98xgjEYOq5eHTGddL_Qmz8BWZpvTQ/s1600/NEW%2521%2521+077.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSyNSbE0MrjaOPqAKlmXzTbv6q_CsX6-8WrQCtGKganf31f3tYdj1zm2YjDkwmrzpGeayZPfoDJCPZSerD1f8GKGr_WHeIHIcO815YvelJqx286kCy9TLhrs2e42VJANp_pWz3WEordQ/s320/NEW%2521%2521+073.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697241887428611330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sunday 8th January I headed along to Arthur's near Caernarfon with Rob Sandham and Mathew Bruce for some winter feeding station ringing. The morning consisted of Wren Blackbird, Dunnock, Chaffinch and good numbers of Blue, Great, Coal and Long-tailed tit. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wednesday 11th January I visited to Matt's Garden in Bangor with the traps. A slow morning with 1 New Goldfinch in the Potter Trap, 2 Retrap Robin in the Chardonneret Trap and 1 New Blue Tit.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuH0RmrHRHmDgWC1gwPT6FFDcMQbdg4DzDYb3rfcawrxAnwYTVp4IL4SzN5m3hWL3fusVirSba-UOwS01pZW1mUYFvuDwm-XFmjGzT7K9e57hyPFVb_D5GVrZ7hFSQs7fk_YV9i7vkYQ/s320/ARTHURS+003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697241863892746210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></div><div><img style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehO7m6zdxhfik2hdDABKBgIcwOZ1NxYOYno34PaebayoAKRm1qwRLOly-JV2AJbdK3JHYKsxDKxJjsTas-w9SrWoGVR7YrffOBAJ9aVnv0GsshGazhXcuPpvwZXvmoLfRdzJm3R7wWr8/s320/ARTHURS+002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697241861389615874" />This morning I visited Rob's Garden in Conwy catching 2 New Dunnock, 1 New Robin and best of all was a Collard Dove! A new species with my C Permit!<br /><br />Huge thanks to all for letting me ring in their garden this past week.<br /></div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-22383671301050763252012-01-13T13:38:00.000-08:002012-01-13T13:52:39.783-08:00Coot Sightings!At the end of last year when I visited WWT Martin Mere, I sighted 3 Colour-ringed and 1 Darvic'd Coot and straight away got to work reading them. <br /><br />A few weeks ago I received the information back from these birds from Kane and it turns out that the 3 Colour-ringed birds had all been ringed at Southport and the Darvic'd bird also. More importantly, the Coot wearing Darvic AFA was the first re-sighting of the bird since it had been ringed at Southport. Great stuff! It just goes to show that a little careful observation can pay dividends. <br /><br />Coot GR25060 was ringed as a 4 Female on 30/11/10 by Kane at Southport Marine Lake. Since then it has been sighted at Pennington Flash in Greater Manchester, Southport Marine Lake and can now be found at WWT Martin Mere. <br /><br />Coot GR25043 was ringed as a 4 Female also on 30/11/10 by Kane at Southport Marine Lake and has since travelled to Meresands Wood in Rufford. <br /><br />Coot GR25123 was ringed as a 3 Male on 02/12/10 by Ciaran at Southport Marine Lake and has since been residing at WWT Martin Mere. <br /><br />Coot GR51021 - DARVIC AFA - was ringed as a 3 on 20/12/11 by Ciaran at Southport Marine Lake.<br /><br />Huge thanks to Kane for sending me the information on these birds. Don't forget if you see a Coot wearing Colour-rings or a Darvic, note it down and send it into Kane!Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-80834558426595301682012-01-08T13:01:00.000-08:002012-01-08T13:26:41.391-08:00Gulling in Galway 2012!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695370407865663874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy-MeiCvFK3MeyoN2PQiQ1-DFoUEzhSwHgHGvfb7OsIT7jK-SncGoZZYTOQmDyplVPj5JoBUYtcKrqy7fUC99B_Rt2lv0ZnyhDN0ikIsC6-iYklAZLCStr9k180Ql_vl-tzqHnmEvCt0/s320/County+Galway+and+County+Dublin+016.JPG" />Kick starting the year off; Kane, Ciaran, Craig, Gillian, Zac, Matt, Andy, Heather and I have just returned from our trip to Ireland. The main aim of the trip was to catch and ring gulls, mainly Black-headed, Common and Herring and this year I am please to say it was another success.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695370416334508258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6C_bc2NBs959TsrdZ6CI1Gj44RcQHzLKA1wSHumS4yDCEfNCi1QFeWZoA7WJ6F0GBCLt5ymk2j76zpsWSY4PxTMAxrt5jQsYobGksSzfXgag5EaSdMksFLTJcOD9gwGIylH-kawugUyA/s320/County+Galway+and+County+Dublin+015.JPG" />The trip began on January 2nd when we flew out to Dublin early morning, shortly followed by a bus journey to County Galway on the West coast of Ireland and returning in the early hours of Saturday. <br /><br />Throughout the trip 19 Black-headed, 1 Common and 4 Herring Gulls were caught by hand. Several ringed birds were also seen but not as many were around as previous years. <br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695370403840862850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eTUdJI25q-ozbEnLgZS5_Log68xzRmCyPSrU55oJpSkSoF3oAcn8m24E1VYW_2uVjuuyRkpWCEWGv_hE3Ve-yYUJ2Xsn5p0rAEELbU5Lc2heTkDZZKXbS6D0H0E7YSMVroFysnugJzY/s320/County+Galway+and+County+Dublin+013.JPG" />The evenings were spent touring the local Irish pubs in search of Guiness, great food and live music in which we all thoroughly enjoyed. <br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695371280840473906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7HDQp7cFeHamVmWhPkpGajJmdcJhf9Vt1i724ctimkudSM6g9rH1ni-ZEqMzrbxAimMgoOGfttl9Mldeeb01Cpx6iMsxA2Q71sqSIAQHRbMmwyUKFo1evxyngFckRAz8tKaj4pykpI4/s320/GALWAY+GROUP.jpg" />Birding highights included 10 Iceland Gull, 1 Kumlien's Gull and several Great-Northern Diver. <br /><br />Huge thanks to Gillian for doing all the organising and to Kane and all the rest of the group for making it another huge success. Here's to next year guys!Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-7619563340361418772012-01-01T07:12:00.000-08:002012-01-01T07:29:34.883-08:00Welcome to 2012!<div>Welcome to the first blog post of 2012; hopefully the first of many this year! I hope you all had a fantastic New Years Eve last night and wrote down all your new years resolutions for the year ahead.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>This year is going to be even busier than 2011, with a whole year of ringing to get through with my C Permit, 1,000 Nest Record Challange to complete and at least 25,000 words to write in the next 5 months that I have left at Bangor University. <br /><br />To kick start the year off, I made a trip to WWT Martin Mere this morning with the parents and grandad for some New Year Birding. </div><div> </div><div>The only birding highlights were a Marsh Harrier and ofcourse the Whooper Swans. <br /><br />Saving the best til last - walking out of the visitor centre I stumbled across a Coot wearing White Darvic AFA. It turns out that this bird was only ringed last week by Kane at Southport Marine Lake and is the first re-sighting of the bird - fantastic stuff. Also seen were 3 Colour-ringed Coot but I am yet to find out where these were ringed but I will let you know in due course.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>Please keep any sightings of colour-ringed or darvic's Coot coming in to Kane as we really appreciate any records we can recieve. <br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>Well I hope this is enough to keep you all interested in the blog even though its the first day of 2012. However, it's time to head off now, as I am flying out to Ireland early tomorrow morning with the gang for several days catching gulls over in County Galway on the west coast of Ireland. </div><div> </div><div>A full update will be available on my return! </div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-83506240758269620012011-12-31T14:55:00.000-08:002011-12-31T15:05:17.445-08:00The End of 2011!There is just enough time left tonight for one last post for 2011. I would just like to wish all my followers and everyone that follows this blog a very happy new year.<br /><br />Hopefully 2012 will be busier than 2011, ringing and nest recording effort will be doubled and my time at Bangor University will have come to an end, after I graduate in July.<br /><br />Last but not least is to show you all a video that Kane produced today, of our ringing highlights from 2011 which can be viewed here - <a href="http://kanebrides.smugmug.com/Animals/Kanes/20809606_mD8dx6#1651851109_sMRHjSs-A-LB"><span style="color:#000099;">2011 Ringing Highlights by Kane Brides</span></a><span style="color:#000099;">.<br /></span><br />All the best everyone, as tomorrow brings a new start to life and the first trip of 2012 - more on this to follow next year.Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-79652799788704627482011-12-31T06:03:00.001-08:002011-12-31T06:23:19.638-08:00My Ringing Year!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimF_Qwra1nleswli0AbPP-pYsE6WI2ZmkGUFxo70rqeHeiJxMKg7RyBgSccBWcnbe9Ttz34Ls8hE9lzZVyjJYVAzIM5nkoZnpzFOw0s_OlYGgFynZJqDJaXjnd82R1fnofA-llv4Z3iLU/s1600/New+069.JPG"></a>There have been rather a large amount of changes in 2011 and one in particular is the day that I recieved my C Permit through the post at the end of October.<br /><br />Ringing began a week or so later after all the necessary kit had been bought. Looking back at all the ringing I managed to squeeze in from October 21st - December 31st, I am very happy with my ringing totals for the year. <br /><br />Taking into account these birds have all been caught and ringed with a variety of traps, as I don't have my mist net endorsement yet, ringing couldn't have been much better.<br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692293517222204338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieywRDnFgmX6BJiR1VOROKM7dw7FsV0uMbuGl_8T_7iX1V8EY06siqqZCaAaH8r9F-_g379MR5NkCtHSO6hAJqLGdKCQNsuYg3vNcfRfdQYBsFFA_7Hx8Ys-8dSXdEsCKPmsNd5kO8zy8/s320/New+066.JPG" /><p>The last week in Bangor I visited a friends garden in Conwy resulting in 2 new species being caught. A Blackbird and 3 Greenfinch were very welcome to the traps as was a Goldfinch a week or so before.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhve0fF5ZJ7lDkan-3VIOcjlELa_1a_X0T8KelAiyTn-0udSMNEhBMBI_Yjh-gTCnKcioxX0merf31cZJytO64LoPMxd_f1wJ6HSESQyZQVlCyY8tfPHGEVGOxJ5kwQodNuHxv-RRboyv4/s1600/New+062.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692293507486994530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhve0fF5ZJ7lDkan-3VIOcjlELa_1a_X0T8KelAiyTn-0udSMNEhBMBI_Yjh-gTCnKcioxX0merf31cZJytO64LoPMxd_f1wJ6HSESQyZQVlCyY8tfPHGEVGOxJ5kwQodNuHxv-RRboyv4/s320/New+062.JPG" /></a></p><p>Amongst the 12 species I have ringed with my permit, in exactly 72 days, Blue Tit has been the commonest with 87 birds now caught and only 3 re-traps.<br /><br />Blue Tit - 84 (3)<br />Great Tit - 11 (1)<br />Robin - 8<br />Coal Tit - 8 (1)<br />Dunnock - 3<br />Long-Tailed Tit - 2<br />Wren - 1<br />Nuthatch - 1<br />Black-headed Gull 1<br />Goldfinch - 1<br />Greenfinch - 3<br />Blackbird - 1<br /><br /></p>2011 was a great start for my ringing career, but 2012 will be even bigger, better and brighter for ringing and nest recording. 129 birds in 72 days with traps -bring on 2012!Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-72169687516226626252011-12-31T05:17:00.000-08:002011-12-31T05:59:51.678-08:00Pyrenean Paradise!<div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692281700145380850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdM8wC4PwxGWJiAnBIfpXwUqkmjLWSHp8hViHmHhF2QgO2-t6Y9b4WBX3P0JTrYfET_YTwsvxWnLG0NGHuMBoDhOPXjrZY1WBwhqKZr-070L7cDBsJjFEP9z8rwkTEnfpgbC1hegdJlUg/s320/New+025.JPG" />I've lost track of the amount of times I have stated that I will try and keep this blog updated, but somehow I have always managed to forget. Times are changing and this is now the last time I will say this; from January 1st 2012 I will be keeping this blog upto date and there certainly won't be a long gap between postings.<br /><br />I thought I would finish the year off with a few posts of my recent activities, mostly from inside the UK, but also from my most recent birding trip abroad, to the Spanish Pyrenees.<br /><br />At the end of November I flew out to Barcelona with Ralph Jones, Eugene McCann and his son Tom McCann, for a few days of high pyrenean birding.<br /><br /></div><div><div>Throughout our few days of birding we managed to see all the species that we set out to see. These included the 3 main species that all birders seek when venturing into the Pyrenees. <br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>A total of 7 Lammergiers were seen throughout the trip, as well as 2 Wallcreeper, 6 Alpine Accentor and a Black Woodpecker.<br /><br /></div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692286969620452114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrm7CAKCSmuOfktAcherlT7YsvIWqifd46_TrH5rpzyDNakeWtpoSwWFqAdxzthjW7K_FNa7TKbxpOmBvGyYhHgh3TENdZQeAMxDA1ZT7g7HR2fDihpJg8xk6qVlK0VQFc6852oarLLdc/s320/New+055.JPG" /></div><div>I must say a huge thanks to all who came along on the trip and for Ralph and Eugene for doing all the driving and for sorting all the technicalities of the trip.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>Where will 2012 take me I wonder?! </div></div></div>Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529899568780657381.post-37811979654001255542011-11-25T13:10:00.000-08:002011-11-25T13:13:28.998-08:00Departure time!Just a quick post tonight as I shall be leaving the UK and heading out to the Spanish Pyrenees tomorrow morning at dawn, for 5 days of high mountain birding with Ralph Jones, Eugene McCann and his son, Tom McCann. <br /><br />Several species such as Lammergier and Wallcreeper are the main targets but there are also several other species that we are hoping to seem along the way.. <br /><br />A full update will be available on Tuesday night, so check back then to see how we get on!Chris Bridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16695829474663837364noreply@blogger.com0