24/11 Greenham Common

Location: Greenham Common Western Enclosure Week 47
Session:24/11/2021, 07:40 to 10:45hrs
Notes:  Doing random visits to the enclosure mostly when weather looks good for ringing, as it did this morning. We captured a Redwing when a small flock went into the enclosure, but it got out as I approached it. The Song Thrush was in the net on the same round, and we think was part of the Redwing flock; might have been of continental origin. Three Chiffchaffs are unexpected this time of year, we have ringed singles to week 48 though. One had a quite well marked supercilium, black legs etc but wasn’t grey enough to be abietinus or tristis; the other two were standard collybita type. The around 50 flock of small finches was over in the trees by Sandleford Heath again. Too far away to be sure of ID but we think the flock makeup is of Lesser Redpoll, Siskin and Goldfinch. Some broke away including seven redpoll, two of which dropped down into the enclosure and in the nets.

1st Winter Male Lesser Redpoll

Present: JL,IW
Weather: overcast, cool, calm early, colder and very light breeze late in the session
Nets: 48metres in 3 rides of 18M, 18M, 12M up from 08:00 to 10:30hrs
Lures Audio:  BC-CC-FC-GC, Yellow-browed Warbler, BR-LR-SK, FF-RE

Sightings: Very little Woodpigeon activity. Dartford Warblers quite vocal early. The 24 Gadwall came over high from the south.