Army Ornithological SocietyGibraltar Ringer 16
Apologies should not be necessary for this shorter missive and our two readers can therefore get an early night. Yesterday's catch was a little similar to the previous day, a total of only 27 birds, but a chance retrap of the Wheatear allowed me to check out the less than distinctive plumage of a juvenile bird. To our raptor watch were added 15 Griffon Vultures circling quite low - a spectacle after endless Booted Eagles. We have also been troubled by a predator and so the cat trap was set for the third night running. While opening the nets I checked the trap to find a very large and angry, but well fed feral occupant. Some nice people from Avian Control took it away.
Today's slow start under clear skies (nice for stargazers, rubbish for ringers) picked up later and our second Black Redstart (pictured) was caught. Another juvenile and therefore an almost total grey plumage less for the tail which also helps to prove a female bird. At lunchtime, 4 Blue Tits were found in one of the nets. The first had been ringed at Jew's Gate, second and third by ourselves in the last few days and the fourth was unringed - quite a mix. Thirty birds in all and the Blackcaps just keep on coming.
Today was Carl and Anne Powell's last full day and Robin returns tonight. Carl never did get his C to A assessment as the paucity of birds at Jew's Gate made it impractical. One day!
John N Wells | 14th Oct 2013 08:36 PM
Glad you caught the scoundrel…proves you had the trap set on best sensitivity. One less vermin on the Rock. Pleased you had a Black Redstart to concentrate your efforts and hope it picks up weather-wise. Thanks again and safe trip home to Carl and Ann. John and the ‘long-scribe’.
Keep up the great work on the AOS Blog.