Last ringing session 2016

Post date: Dec 30, 2016 6:56:49 PM

It has been almost one year since I last traped and ringed birds in Portugal. Indeed, in 2016 most of my ringing was carried out in Sweden, with the results being posted elsewhere. I did, however, managed to undertake two ringing sessions during December at Salreu, Estarreja, the last of which was today.

Forty-four birds of 13 species were caught using four 15 m nests and four "doubles" during five hours:

Aegithalus caudatus 3

Anthus spinoletta 2

Carduelis chloris 3

Emberiza s. schoeniclus 17

Fringilla coelebs 1

Parus caeruleus (1)

Passer domesticus 1

Phylloscopus collybita 5 (1)

Sturnus vulgaris 1

Sylvia melanocephala 1

Sylvia undata 1

Turdus merula 1 (1)

Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata), a young bird

Adult female Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)

Water Pipit (Anthus spnoletta), presumed adult

Adult male House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), notice the black lores, which indicate age

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

Surprisingly, we did not trap any Cetti's Warblers (Cettia cetti), which were actually calling frequently nearby. But we did see two Booted Eagles (Aquila pennata), a white and a dark morph, which is much rarer, as well as many other bird species.

Happy new year!

JMN