Queenstown - the last couple of weeks.

I have been doing some banding since the last post. The catch has been dominated by House Sparrows which are still producing large numbers of fledglings. They must be on at least their third brood. Other species appear to be low in numbers or keeping a low profile. I did set a couple of nets up at a neighbour's property, with limited success.  As the site looks to have a lot of potential I will try there again in a few weeks.

In this period I have caught 83 birds of 11 species with 62 new and 21 recaptures. (Recaps in brackets)
Silvereye - 5 (0)
Chaffinch - 5 (0)
Greenfinch - 3 (0)
Redpoll - 1 (0)
House Sparrow - 37 (17)

A couple of the male Sparrows had partially chestnut bibs.

A few of the juvenile Sparrow, presumably from the first broods, have started to moult making it possible to sex them.

Blackbird - 3 (3)
Starling - 1 (0)
Dunnock - 5 (0) all juveniles
Yellowhammer - 1 (0)
Tui - 0 (1) have only banded 4 so rather a surprise to recapture one, the only male banded.
Bellbird - 1 (0)
Both the Tui and Bellbird were caught at the neighbours.