Please Help!

Today I have witnessed one of the most dramatic cold weather movement of birds that I've ever seen. The spectacle has been truly amazing, but the reality is really very very sad.

It was such an epic day that I just don't have the time or energy to blog about it tonight, check back tomorrow or Sunday for this post. It will be worth checking back for I promise. But I simply couldn't go to bed without writing this...

Within Seaton alone, this evening I've been informed of numerous Meadow Pipits, Lapwing, Redwings and even a Reed Bunting being found dead. A lethargic Golden Plover was also picked up in the middle of Seaton town this evening, fingers crossed the efforts of the family who rescued it pays off.

So I'm basically pleaing that if you can help birds during this cold spell, then please PLEASE do. Oats, apples, other soft fruits, bird seed, anything that's suitable just put it out in your garden, and remember to defrost your bird baths with warm water as well. I even took a pocket full of bird seed out on my morning walk today, which came in useful...

Robin feeding from my hand at Black Hole Marsh

But it's also important to give these struggling birds space. Space to feed undisturbed, and not making them use precious energy to unnecessarily fly.  We all know most people won't think about this, let's be honest why would they? But we can at least...

Best Beer Head Ringing Morning Yet?

Sorry again for the lack of updates, I simply haven't the time at the moment. I really need a break from all the numbers and dates that I'm in the middle of writing up though, so lucky viewers here's a blog post...

Ideally I would be ringing every morning up Beer Head at the moment, but am limiting myself to one morning a week so I can get my work done. This week I decided to head up on Monday just gone, and I was joined by Peter again (who brought along two incredibly tasty vegetable tarts - yum!). Must just add my congratulations to Peter who following  a ringing course on the Isle of Wight has been recommended for his C Permit - well done.  Hope you and your vegetable tarts still want to join me on my Beer Head outings.

The weather was absolutely perfect for ringing, with no wind and complete cloud cover. At first though it didn't seem like there was much about, but this clearly wasn't the case as two nets open for just over two hours caught us 53 birds!  The first hour was steady, and we were catching a few Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, as well as my first two Meadow Pipits for the site. But then a Long-tailed Tit flock appeared, and spent ages just milling about - this is when it went a bit busy and I decided to close the nets...

Luckily my Dad was about, and acted as scribe.

Out of the 53 birds, 48 were 'new' birds (means unringed when first caught) and compromised: 9 Blackcap, 23 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Meadow Pipit and a Wren.  Interestingly, and I guess this indicates a good breeding season, out of these 48 birds, only one was an adult (a Chiffchaff), with the other 47 being birds born this year.

Following on from my last Beer Head post, the variation in crowns of first-year (3) male Blackcaps still amazes me (both these birds had seemingly completed their post juvenile moult)...

On the right hand bird note just a few brown flecks above the eye and at back of head.

Since Monday, the only trips I've had out is when I've gone to work or walked the dog. This morning Axe Cliff showed four Wheatear and lovely views of a Stoat, and a woodland walk yesterday gave nothing more than good numbers of Goldcrests.  This morning I pulled over briefly when driving along the Estuary, and am pleased to report Honey does indeed take after her 'Dad' - although I will be peed if she finds that Pallas's Gull before me...

She doesn't even need optics!

And to complete this post, my first post in October (which by the way I can't believe - its over 20'C outside by day at the moment!), a shot of a Robin singing its winter song with clear blue sky behind...

Talking of Robins, it'll be Christmas soon...