Pitsea Catch 27/2/16

Another great session on the tip today with a single catch of 299 birds.  Highlights included a total of 21 Lesser black backs (all adults).  Presumably northern birds stopping off on route to their breeding grounds.

All of these were colour ringed, so hopefully some recoveries to come.

Two Greater black backs, 130 Herring and 130 Black heads made for the rest of the catch.  A few retraps included a dutch and belgian bird.


A couple of Med gulls were seen around the tip face to.

Rainham RSPB 16/2/16

The plan was to catch up with the Brambling that has been present around the feeders in front of the centre for the last few days, arrived on site latter than planned around 07:40, freezing cold, all the duck were on the river due to the overnight freeze (coldest night of the winter so far?).

The Brambling didn't take long to show, sticking to cover though, managed a ropey record shot!

Further along the seawall a pair of Stonechat showed remarkably well, the male really looking smart now.

Stonechat with breakfast.....

Nice to see some winter thrushes here to, showed well in the morning light.

Reed Bunting 

Valentines Day Surprise

A change in the weather produced our first wild geese of the winter for myself and Mo on our survey site this morning.

A fairly stiff North Easterly brought our first flock of Whitefronts of the winter with thirteen birds muscled in with the regular Greylag flock. A few Brents and a single Barnacle were also amongst the feral flock and just goes to show that birds attract birds.

Several hundred Golden Plover and three Green Sandpipers were also noted and a good number of Skylark today.

Raptors were represented with two Buzzards and half a dozen Marsh Harrier, bearded tit and Stonechat also noted.

whitefronts (rear birds)

barnacle (far right)

Pitsea Catch 23/1/16

A great session with 448 birds caught today including a Russian control, nothing surprising but a good mix, and most birds colour ringed.

Catch 1

Species	Ringed	Retraps	Controls	Colour ringed
Black-headed Gull	115	5	0	119
Great Black-backed Gull	4	0	0	4
Common Gull	2	0	0	2
Herring Gull	87	1	0	22
Catch totals	208	6	0	147

Catch 2

Species	Ringed	Retraps	Controls	Colour ringed
Black-headed Gull	58	2	0	58
Great Black-backed Gull	31	0	1	31
Common Gull	1	0	0	1
Herring Gull	135	2	1	114
Catch totals	225	4	2	204

Trip totals	433	10	2	351

Birds were soon interested in feeding soon as the compactor moved away.

This adult Lesser black backed was a recent capture and was keeping clear today!

As was this adult Med Gull which couldn't be tempted into the catch area.

theres always next week...........