Ringers take on the elements - Northern Ireland
Northern Irish ringers tell us about their experiences of CES in 2012.
Aidan, Belfast
CES 7 unbelievable! Who would ever have guessed it, as we edged our way at 5.20am in early morning drizzle, down Anderstown Road? Low heavy battleship-grey skies were closing in. Me, stretching in the back, Ian with windscreen wipers on, Rosie and Irwin snoozing in the front seat, that we were in fact, on our way to, yes, one of the wettest, but also one of the best CES catches of all time! Yip! Total 15 species, 69 birds caught and processed, of which 31 were migrants (43%). Some drizzle around 9am and later persistent rain after 11am did not affect the catch. All birds were extracted in good condition.
Top bird was Willow Warbler,11; then five species on 7; Sedge Warbler 7, Swallow 7, Dunnock 7, Wren 7, and Bluetit 7. Then two at 6; Robin 6, Blackcap 6. Then Blackbird 4, Great Tit 2, all the rest were 1’s, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting. Then the big cherry on the cake, a stunning juvenile Sparrowhawk from Net 2, just before it was taken down. ‘U make ur luck happen here’.
Again.
Amazing – Roll on the next visit, Sunday 15th July – weather permitting.
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