Queenstown - 2017 banding year

I have crunched the numbers for the 2017 calender year down here at our Queenstown site. A total of 1058 birds of 15 species were banded and 537 recaptures of 12 species was made. This is slightly down on the 2016 numbers when 1290 birds were banded and 465 recaptures made.

Species ranked from highest were - (recaps in brackets)

1. Silvereye -288 (215) up from 3 last year. Numbers boosted by good catches in neighbours orchard.
2. House Sparrow - 236 (113) down from top spot last year.
3. Redpoll - 214 (0) down from 2 last year when 17 recaptures were also made.
4. Chaffinch - 96 (100) up from 5. Numbers especially of recaps boosted by birds caught in neighbours hen house.
5. Dunnock - 40 (27) up from 6
6. Blackbird - 38 (30) up from 7
7. Greenfinch - 36 (2) up from 9.
8. Bellbird - 22 (19) same position.
9. Goldfinch - 20 (1) up from 12
10. Yellowhammer - 18 (5) same place.
11. Tui - 17 (17) same place.
12. Song Thrush - 16 (3) down from 11.
13. Starling - 13 (5) same place.
14. Fantail - 3 (0) up from 17
15. Grey Warbler - 1 (0) down from 14

No Kingfisher or Californian Quail were caught.

So far 2018 has got of to a slow start with people staying and sheep getting over to the neighbours and having to be brought back, but if there is reasonable weather over the next few days I hope to rectify this. On the other hand a good rain would be extremly welcome as things are tinder dry.