A Different Slant

Yesterday Moxey headed to a garden in the vicinity of our Ince Blundell site, courtesy of Dennis McNamara, with significant success. The first bird of the day was a male Sparrowhawk that went into the net as Moxey was putting it up, Dennis had to hold one end if the net so Moxey could get it out and then finish putting the net up!!! Not a bad start.

Moxey reports that the catch rate was steady and as expected, dominated by titmice. Dennis previously had good numbers of Goldfinch coming to the nijer in his garden but in recent weeks, these have become more elusive. Two Great-spotted Woodpeckers gave Moxey something to cry about...when holding them for photos, the 'peckers vented the full force of their fury on Moxeys fingers...nothing compared to a Pileated Woodpecker though!

Nuthatch (Sitta europeia)

Moxey (Homo moxensis)

Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)

Great-spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocops major)

By the end of the session, Moxey had caught well over 100 birds, and Dennis got an opportunity to further his intrigue into ringing, having previously attended a number of sessions over the road at Ince Blundell. Many thanks to Dennis for allowing the use of his garden!

Coal Tit - 4 (1)
Blue Tit - 51 (15)
Great Tit - 13 (4)
Goldfinch - 4
Chaffinch - 1
Nuthatch - 1
Starling - 1
G.S.Woodpecker - 2
Blackbird - 1
Dunnock - 4
Robin - 8
Sparrowhawk - 1

TOTAL: 91 (20)

I will leave the last word to Moxey: "Not bad for starters" - that's the spirit!