Wellington Zoo 29 June - A BIG day

With near ideal conditions and a small but experienced banding team we caught a large number of birds today at the Zoo. The total for the day was 191 of 10 species with 114 new birds and 77 recaptures Although 10 species is a high number for this site most were represented by only 1 or 2 individuals.With the large number of birds being caught early we put fewer nets up than usual. Also due to recapturing birds a second or third time (about 50% of the catch towards the end) we closed down an hour sooner than we do on most occasions.

The "Team" all busy at their tasks, David, Danielle, Ros and Annette

Species caught were - (recaps in brackets)
Blackbird - 0 (1) an interesting recap as it was banded in Houghton Bay in Jan 2011. This is the longest distance that we have recaptured a Blackbird.
Dunnock - 0 (3)
Greenfinch - 12 (4) 1 of the recaps was banded at Bridie's on Hornsey Rd in Dec 12

The sexing and aging of Greenfinch caused some interesting discussion 

Goldfinch - 2 (0)
House Sparrow - 5 (1)
Starling - 1 (1) the recap was also banded at Bridie's in Jan 11
Silvereye - 89 (77) this is the highest Silvereye total we have caught in a day at the Zoo with the highest number of new birds and 1 less than the highest number of recaps. No really old birds were caught but there were 6 that were banded in 2009, 5 in 2010 and 5 in 2011.
Fantail - 1 (0)
Grey Warbler - 1 (1) the recap was banded in April last year.
Yellowhammer - 3 (0) the first at the Zoo for some time.

Ros taking one of the Yellowhammer's wing measurement

After we had packed up we were privileged to have a look at the birds that are being treated from storm injuries at the Nest (the Zoo bird hospital). What a great asset this facility is to the City but very sobering to see so many birds in care, esp. the bigger Albatrosses and Petrels.

One of the 6 White-capped Molly's that were received at the Nest after last weeks storm.