A good days Harrier Banding.

 On Monday 25 March my twin brothers and I set traps to catch Harriers. Well actually one set the traps while we other two took a leisurely drive out to the Country. The first round of the traps was a little disappointing with a new bird and a Recap. After a coffee break thing picked up and we ended the day with 10 new birds banded and 4 recaptures. One of the recaps was only banded in the morning and then caught again in the afternoon in the same trap. Must be a bit of a slow learner.

The twins with one of the birds.

 The other three were a bit more interesting. One had been banded 29 May 20 23, 301 days before. The other two were banded in 2022, one on 6 July making it 628 days ago, and the other on 28 May, at 667 days. One of these birds has interesting eye markings with black lines at the bottom of each eye. This was noticed when it was originally captured and I had thought that with time they would fade, but they are still there with little noticeable change. I calculate that she was at least 3 years old when originally banded and now is at least in her 5th year so it looks likely that the eyes will remain with this feature.

25 Mar 24 (in body moult)

6 July 22 first time caught.

Amongst the new birds looks like an old male. It is like a lot of old males getting a bit pale in places.

Very white below.

It has a pale-yellow eye of an old bird.

We place traps on a number of properties and all the landowners are very supportive of our activities. Frequently stopping bye to catch up on the latest captures.  

A Rap of recent banding attempts.

 There has been a limited amount of banding in recent weeks with birds mostly feeding on the large amount of food available and not yet flocking to any extent. Harriers have only returned to this part of the country in any number in the last few weeks.

On Friday we had a session at the Halswell Quarry at what is usually a reliable site but only managed to band 7 birds. Three each of Dunnock and Chaffinch, and a solitary Silvereye. All were new and most were young birds.

Flight a relatively new bander looking happy with the first bird of the day.

Looking even happier with two birds.

 A couple of weeks ago we had an attempt to trap Harriers with only limited success. Three birds were caught 2 new and a recapture. The low rate of capture is I think at least partly my fault with the trap orientation being wrong and several birds failing to find the entrance funnel.

The three birds for the day all young females.

We have also banded 7 Spotted Shags that have been in rehab at the South Is. Wildlife Hospital. This is the largest number they have managed to rehabilitate. This is due to the dedication of Pauline the Manager and Senior Vet at the Hospital.

Pauline in control of the bitey bit.