Weekend's ringing

On saturday morning a session was held at the Meintjes. Target species for the day were the Coal Tits as they were (and still are!) on the move! Hans caught a spectacular number of 70 Coal Tits on friday morning. Saturday morning we caught about 40 Coal Tits. In total we caught some 80 birds. The first Goldcrest of the season was trapped also. 

 Goldcrest (Regulus regulus)

 Coal Tit (Periparus ater), 1 cy bird, note the three old outer greater coverts and unmoulted alula's.

 Adult Coal Tit, no moult limit in the greaters, moulted alula's and nice primary coverts

There's a slight difference in tail pattern in the 1cy and adult birds. Note the more rounded tailfeathers on the adult in contrast to the more narrow and pointed tailfeathers of the 1cy.

Sunday some ringing was done in the Ooijse Graaf, together with Bram, Christian, Joost Valkenburg and three guests. We had good numbers of Robins (36) and some lower numbers of Blackcaps and Reed Warblers. Reed Buntings did well with 17 individuals. With the clapnet we managed to catch a few Meadow Pipits, Tree Pipit, 3 Barn Swallows and a stunning Grey Wagtail. 157 birds were trapped in total. 

 Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola), 1cy bird

 Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis), 1cy bird, note the 2 moulted inner GC's

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea), 1cy bird with 5 moulted inner GC's