Queenstown - the last banding for the year

I have had a couple of sessions down here since the last post. An afternoon session at the stream and a morning session near the house.

Stream 29 Dec

Caught a similar number of birds as the previous session a bit different species list. A total of 26 birds of 6 species all except 2 new.
Redpoll 12, but still no recaps.
Greenfinch 7, the larges number caught here in a session.
Dunnock 3 and 1 recap.
Yellowhammer and Goldfinch 1 each and 1 House Sparrow recap.

House 31 Dec

Banded or recaptured 29 birds of 5 species with 19 new and 9 recaps.
Blackbird 1 new and a recap
Song Thrush 1 new juv.
Silvereye 1 new.

I got a surprise to find the Silvereye already starting to moult

House Sparrow 10 new and 9 recaps. Also caught and released unbanded about 20 - trying to ration my bands.
Tui 3 new, 2 old males and 1 younger female.

One of the big males

Bellbird 2 newly fledged juveniles. At the time of banding I was not sure of the sex but looking at the photos it looks clear.

Juvenile male Bellbird?

Juvenile female Bellbird?

I wish you all the best for 2018 and we will see what and who we can catch up with.