By Thomas Weston
With the Young Birders spending the rest of the day yesterday settling in and exploring around the island, it was nice to see everyone getting to know each other and having some birding and nature chats.
Today, the aim was to introduce the team to ringing!
A Sedge Warbler caught and ringed in Millcombe by Thomas Weston
We got up early and headed to the Tavern for 05:15. An early start which led to a lot of the team needing some well earned tea before heading into the valley - especially as the power was not going to be on for another hour. The day started with a nice breeze and a stunning sun rise too. We headed down and started opening the nets, the team gathered and we started to catch some birds. It was pretty productive with 67 individuals caught and processed throughout the morning. Ringing totals to follow (new/retrap): Robin 1/1, Sedge Warbler 4/0, Linnet 5/1, Chaffinch 2/1, Blackcap 1/1, Whitethroat 1/0, Goldfinch 1/0, Swallow 1/0, Wren 3/2, Willow Warbler 15/1, Chiffchaff 1/0, House Sparrow 0/12, Spotted Flycatcher 0/2, and a Dunnock 0/1.
A 100m away, Greg and Emma went through the Moth Trap from the night before. There were some good species seen and recorded. A moth list can be provided below in a bit, once counted and written!
Around 08:15, Eleanor came through undertaking our daily census. She ended up heading on round and recording a nice range of species throughout the route. Some of the highlights included Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher and a good number of Swallows and Linnets. It was great for some of the team to join and hear more about our work, as well as to see some nice species along the way.
Simon sampling for Lundy Cabbage Flea Beetles in Millcombe by Thomas Weston
Meanwhile, the remaining team had the choice to either explore the island, help with some Lundy Cabbage Flea Beetle surveying with Simon and Kirsty, or continue in Millcombe a little longer. Some of the team were super keen to see two endemics for the island, as well as see some more ringing, so the team reamined down in Millcombe. It was great for Lucile as we caught so many House Sparrows that she could talk through the process of processing them, and to get some additional biometrics that other speces rarely require. The team thoroughly enjoyed themselves and by 11am we all headed out of the valley.
Back in the Village, Eleanor and I helped Lucile with some of the Starling and House Sparrow traps to help top up some last remaining colour ringed birds before the end of the season and before Lucile has to leave us until Novemeber. Lucile found a new brood of Sparrows, which we will monitor until they fledge, and we also ringed a brood of Swallows in the Vehicle Shed area. A lovely brood of 4 growing youngsters.
A brown Millcombe whilst collecting kit. Thomas Weston
I then decided to break for lunch and to gather all the relavant equipment ready for the evening ahead whereby a talk by Greg and some nocturnal surveys will be undertaken! More on that tomorrow....