Good morning. I thought I would post Simon Evans’, our local bird ringer’s last ringing report of 2015. The data is from 23 and 28 December. It is attached to the bottom of this blog post. I have also included an excerpt of his ringing report, which I hope you find interesting:
“A few landmark figures were met in this last period of the year. Our busiest year at Lakenheath Fen with 2907 birds ringed, taking the site total to over 12,000 since I first started there. With a monthly total of 931 birds ringed, this has been our busiest December ever. The annual total, just short of five and a half thousand, also makes it one of our busiest years. Don't forget that this doesn't include all the retrap and control data, that I'm now busily working through!
I suppose the totals for a number of key species this Autumn/Winter have largely contributed to our record figures. Prime example being the lesser redpolls. The first birds turned up at the feeders on the 9 October. Since then, we have handled an amazing total of 881 individuals - 842 new, 11 retraps from previous winters, some from four winters ago, plus 28 controls, birds originally ringed elsewhere.”
This fine photograph of a male greenfinch being released was also taken during one of the sessions:
Image credit: Judith Wakelin
Thank you very much to Simon and everyone who has assisted him with ringing on the reserve this year.
Happy New Year to you all!