Queenstown - More Sparrows & Redpolls

We are back in Christchurch now but I managed to get a few more birds banded before we left. A very similar result as reported in the last post. A couple of morning sessions near the house where the birds caught were mostly House Sparrows both new and recaps. Also another session down at the stream where the majority of birds were juvenile Redpolls. With a total of 9 species caught there was a little variety, although most species were represented by very low numbers. The combined total was 86 birds of 12 species with 66 new and 20 recaptures.

Blackbird - 3 (2)
Song Thrush - 3 (0) includes the first caught at the stream.
Dunnock - 4 (0)
Chaffinch - (0)
Goldfinch - 1 (0)

The Goldfinch, an adult male that has probably been feeding on unripe thistles.

Greenfinch - 3 (0)
Redpoll - 28 (0) the only banded one seen was a well marked male that was clinging to the net but flew off as I reached out to secure it.
House Sparrow - 19 (16) surprisingly included were a number of older birds including both the oldest male and female recaps.
Yellowhammer - 1 (0)

The Yellowhammer was an adult female (I think)

Starling - 1 (1) The recap is the oldest one caught.

The Starling recap, an adult male

Silvereye - 2 (0)
Tui - 0 (1) A bird banded near the house and only the 2nd one caught at the stream.

We have to go up to Nelson for a family wedding so won't get back down again for a month or so.