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.