Uttoxeter Ringing

Siberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus Tristis)

Last weekend we went ringing in Uttoxeter, plenty of different species came into the nets, such as Meadow Pipits, Redwings, Song Thrush and Grey Wagtails.

However, we did have one bird that was very exciting and I was lucky enough to ring it!! It was a Siberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus Tristis) and to top that we caught the more common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) to compare the differences.

The Siberian Chiffchaff has a much more brown or brown/grey on the upper parts of the body and can have an olive-green tip on the edge of the wing., there is also no yellow underneath but eyelids and cheeks are very buffish.The Siberian Chiffchaff is quite a rare bird, especially in this area, as they are more likely to be spotted in the South of the UK.

Bakewell Ringing

It was a freezing cold morning for ringing, but everywhere looked beautiful covered with a blanket of frost. As soon as we arrived at the site we heard 2 Tawny Owls calling, which made me even more excited (I was already very excited because we were finally going out ringing after the Christmas break). Overall we caught 38 birds, including Wrens, Starlings, lots of Pied Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail.

We also caught a couple of Blackbirds, especially a very handsome male Blackbird with a bright orange beak. A small flock of Starlings were flying around and fortunately a couple came into the nets, as ever their plumage was stunning.
 
We were pleased to find a few Meadow Pipits, they must have been at the site because there was a plentiful supply of insects. Meadow Pipits are often found on lower ground in the Winter. According to 'The Birds of Derbyshire' "The longest movement by a Derbyshire ringed Meadow Pipit within the UK is 220km." The bird was recovered in Somerset.

I'm looking forward to going out again to see what else I can ring and learn new things about.