The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Our ringing activities suggest that there are good numbers of birds around at sites where food supplies have been maintained, though birds such as Robin and Dunnock, where only a few adults have been ringed, suggests high mortality during the cold December. Finch flocks comprise mainly first years suggesting that they have managed to survive the harsh conditions well.
There have been good numbers of passage Redpoll and Siskin at Bourne Wood feeding on birch/alder, and many have been attracted down to niger in Bob Sheppard's garden on the edge of the wood. We have ringed over 50 Siskin, 120 Lesser Redpoll and, an exceptional 30+ Common (Mealy) Redpoll. Retrapped birds have included one Siskin from Feb 2008, 5 Lesser Redpoll from March 2010, and three foreign-ringed birds (Common Redpoll from Norway, Lesser Redpoll from Belgium and Siskin from Holland).

Alan

always find these reports of interest, thanks Alan. regards John.

Excellent Redpoll and Siskin numbers, Alan. Mid-Lincs RG efforts so far this year reflect your findings. On Saturday 64 Yellowhammers were ringed at Stenigot (along with a further 87 birds including 5 Corn Buntings) and almost all were first year birds. There were only 4 re-traps from the over 200 Yellowhammers ringed there last year. Redpolls and Siskins have not arrived at either of my Market Rasen sites to date.

There seems to be too much natural food at our fenland site remaining to attract our Yellowhammers yet. There are upwards of 500 Yellowhammers, 100 Corn Buntings and 200 Bramblings around ............ and an untouched heap of grain/rape/linseed ! We ringed over 300 Yellowhammers there last year, but they currently seem to be finding plenty of food on the stubble fields which are due to be ploughed in the next few weeks.

Alan