Karori Cemetery 30 April - A few more birds

Katherine, Kate, Mary and I went to the Karori Cemetery this morning and set up nets at a slightly different location with the hope of getting a few more birds. Unfortunately for a variety of reasons the others were later in arriving and I had the biggest catch of the day just after the first couple of nets were erected. We caught a total of 15 birds with 11 Silvereye, (all caught from one flock before the others arrived.) 2 Chaffinch, 1 House Sparrow and a recap Blackbird which was originally banded almost exactly a year ago.

Katherine taking a moult score under the watchful eye of Kate while Mary, our scribe waits to record the details.

Shortly after I arrived home a large package was delivered, it contained an awesome book "The Princeton Encyclopedia of Birds". It had been sent by Grace an American woman who had spent a couple of years here in Wellington in 2009-10 and had taken part in many banding session. She had been an able student and had left as a competent bander and mist netter. She has continued her banding activities back in Minnesota and has now been issued with her own sub-permit to band birds there. The book was sent in  appreciation of the start she had been given here with the Group.