Queenstown - The final Tally

We start on our journey northward home in the morning so banding here is finished for now. Ended up banding 308 birds of 12 species which is far above my expectations. Also made 55 recaptures, but of course they were all recently banded birds. I don't think there is any other banding going on in this area. We have had brilliant weather in contrast to the poor sods in Wellington. Another advantage of this site is the magnificent scenery, a view of the Remarkables to the south and Coronet Peak in the north.

Coronet Peak with a fresh coating of icing sugar 

The highest peak in the Remarkables.

Final totals were - (recaps in brackets) from top bird to the smallest number.
Silvereye - 127 (37)
House Sparrow - 74 (4)
Chaffinch - 49 (6)
Blackbird - 16 (2)
Dunnock - 13 (4)
Song Thrush - 11 (1) this is more than double the number that I have previously caught in a whole year.
Yellowhammer - 8 (1)
Goldfinch - 4
Starling - 2
Tui - 2 -  actually caught 3 but could only band the 2 females as I hadn't brought any YP bands for the big male.

The first Tui caught

Greenfinch - 1
Bellbird - 1 finally caught one this morning.

And the first Bellbird