Sunday 9 August 2015

Houghton Valley School - Few birds but 1 good one

Emma, Kate, Ross and I had a session in the bush gully next to the school this afternoon. Conditions were atrocious with a strong cold southerly blowing up the valley and the occasional shower. Fortunately the nets were sheltered from the worst of it.

We caught a very low total of 12 birds of 4 species with 6 new and 6 recaps. As usual most were Silvereye with 4 new and 5 recaps, the oldest recap was banded July 2011. There was one new Greenfinch and Grey Warbler and then the highlight of the day, a recap Dunnock. It was banded 29 July 2010 and was the first Dunnock banded at this site. It is at 1837 days from banding now the oldest Dunnock we have recaptured at any site, beating the previous record, a Zoo bird, by 6 months.
Kate with "her" old bird

The band, although showing some wear is still in reasonable condition

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