Raptors steal the show

Well for once the weather forecasts were reasonably accurate with rain delaying our start until 7am.  Unfortunately the wind refused to drop so it was a difficult session with birds thin on the ground.  Despite the conditions we still managed to catch a respectable 172 new birds, including this fantastic Merlin.

Merlin

Having escaped the twice already this morning, the bird was eventually caught on her third attempt, much to our appreciation.  We've seen at least four birds hunting around the reserve it was an absolute privilege to see this individual up close.  Our normal ringing activities saw a shift in the species composition once again, although the number of Redpoll remained high.  There was a notable lack of Reed Bunting in today's catch having averaged 30 birds a day since we started.  We caught just seven today, perhaps the wind has kept them low and avoiding or nets.

Along with new birds being caught, we also occasionally re-catch birds that we have ringed on this trip.  Its interesting to see how long some of the migrants are staying around in the area but we've also recaught two birds from previous trips to Nesseby.  Thanks to Alf Tore at the Norweigan Ringing Scheme we've now got all the data from our trips since 2012 so we can check back to find out more about these birds.

	Redwing 8C06706 Ringed: 12th August 2012 Age when ringed: Adult (Age Code 4) Recaught: 9th August 2016 We know that this bird is now at least five years old and presumably a local breeder.
The oldest known Redwing was 11 years, 10 months, 7 days so this bird has still got a way to go, although as it was ringed as an adult it may already have been a few years old when first caught.  Redwing from Scandinavia arrive in the UK in Autumn but will continue south and west into Ireland or mainland Europe if the weather is particularly harsh.  Studies have shown that Scandinavian birds can also be quite nomadic, with individuals taking different migration routes in different years, when leaving their breeding areas. A bird that wintered in the UK may have been in Portugal, Greece, or even Iran the previous year!
	White Wagtail EJ41004 Caught: 23rd August 2014 Age when ringed: Juvenile (Age code 3) Recaught: 9th August 2016 We know that this bird is now two years old.
Although White Wagtails do occur in the UK, the vast majority of bird are the subspecies and more familiar Pied Wagtail.  The oldest known bird of this UK subspecies was 11 years, 3 months, 21 days old, so its reasonable to assume a White Wagtail could reach the same ripe old age.  White Wagtail breed across Europe and Asia with populations wintering in southern Asia and Africa.

Although the ringing activity was reasonably quiet, the mudflats continued to be hive of activity.  An Arctic Skua made a very low fly past of our ringing station, thousands of waders were busy feeding, but it was the raptors that stole the show.  Today's Merlin activity was mainly concentrated around the marshy areas and in the associated scrub, hence the bird being caught as this is where our nets are.  Previously we've seen the bird in the scrub and over the mudflats but perhaps they were a little put off hunting waders with a Peregrine around.  An adult female came hurtling past at full speed on the hunt but failed to catch and was complimented by regular fly overs of at least three White-tailed Eagles, all followed by several gulls constantly mobbing them.  Sometimes it must be really annoying to be a White-tailed Eagle.

White-tailed Eagle (Photo Credit: Dr Colin Hewitt)

The wader flocks showed well but continued to be a little on edge with the number of predators around.  A Mink was also seen hunting along the tide line and seawall rocks - a not so welcome sight.  The wind left it impossible to catch waders, so fingers crossed for improved fortunes on that front in the coming days.  After high tide several jellyfish were stranded on the mudflats including this colourful individual with purple stripes.

Jellyfish (species unknown)

Totals (New Birds): Wednesday 10th August 2016
Bluethroat 35
Reed Bunting 7
Meadow Pipit 30
Redpoll 74
Willow Warbler 14
Brambling 9
Great Tit 1
Merlin 1
Redwing 1
Total 172