Halswell Quarry Thu 28 May - not a bad morning

A small group of us had a session at the Quarry this morning. As we were using the same net site as the last session I did not expect a large catch so was pleasantly surprised to get a bigger number. Caught 20 birds as against 13 last session. There were 18 new and 2 recaptures of 5 species, Silvereyes made up the bulk with 14 new, Blackbird 2 new and 1 recap, 1 each Greenfinch and Bellbird with a recap Dunnock making up the total. Both the recaps were the oldest recaptured at the Quarry, Dunnock 784 days and the Blackbird 588.

Ruud looking very happy with his Bellbird

Kate is all concentration as she bands a Blackbird

Halswell Quarry Thu. 14 May - at last a few birds banded

On Thursday morning a group of keen banders went to the Quarry in quest of a few birds after weeks of prohibitive restrictions. We set nets up next to an Arbutus Tree (Strawberry)with ripe fruit. We anticipated catching Blackbirds which were feeding on the fruit in good numbers. Alas the Blackbirds were mostly too clever for us but we did still catch 14 birds of 7 species with 12 new and 2 recaps.

New birds were - 7 House Sparrows, 2 Bellbirds, and 1 each of Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Dunnock. The 2 recaps were a Silvereye which had been banded in Jan 2018 and is at 536 days our oldest bird of any species. The other was a Blackbird which had been banded as a nestling in Dec 2018 and is the oldest recap of a Blackbird at the Quarry. So in my opinion a couple of good birds.

Most of the team. Left to right Ron our coffee/tea provider and very valued member, Ruud, Susan, Eleanor and our scribe Sandra. Jan had already left before the photo was taken.

Eleanor putting its bling on a Bellbird.