Wednesday 9 May 2012

First day of the 2012 Chough campaign!

Spent yesterday with Adrienne Stratford checking on Chough nests in Meirionydd and Ceredigion. 2012 looks to have got off to a bit of an early start with some broods at least a week ahead of normal. 


Getting to the nests proves quite interesting at times but as can be seen we aren't completely cavalier about H&S and do wear hats on occasions!!


Two broods were colour-ringed during the day (probably the earliest we've ever ringed them) and another three broods weren't quite ready yet.



A cuppa break in a blackthorn-lined layby in Meirionydd yielded a couple of "extras" in terms of this cracking male Lesser Whitethroat,  3 Whitethroats and 2 Dunnocks!


Later in the evening a spot of lamping at Ynyslas with Jane produced 22 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plovers and a Whimbrel and Gareth Richardson, a regular visiting ringer, down for a few days holiday had an additional 17 Dunlin. There was a heavy passage going on with hundreds of Dunlin and at least half a dozen Whimbrel present. Tonight's weather forecast is looking foul so dare say we'll be out again!!


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