I set the funnel trap here this morning and my suspicions were confirmed. Most of the Silvereyes appear to have left the area, only catching 5, - 2 new and 3 recaps. Also caught a new Starling and recaptured a House Sparrow. For the last few years Silvereye have departed either the last week of July or the first one in August usually following mild weather with a northerly wind. I suspect they smell the sweet scent of flowering trees probably Karo which is common in parts of Wellington especially on the western side of Houghton valley.
So far this year I have banded 63 Silvereye here which will be, unless there is another influx of birds, the second lowest yearly total in the last 20 years. 1997 was the lowest with 54 banded. Last year 203 were banded and the highest total was in 2001 with 596.
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