Woodcock results for 2017/18 winter

By the spring equinox, the vast majority of the wintering woodcock population in Pembs are usually well on their way back to their breeding grounds in northern and eastern Europe, and Russia. They're a bit late leaving this year due to the cold weather in March, and on 19th, counts of birds in six pasture fields were very similar to typical mid-winter counts (30 compared to counts of 34 and 26 in the same fields during December and February). They are often much more difficult to approach in Feb and March than they are earlier in the winter, and only five of the 30 birds were caught, three of  which had been ringed earlier in the winter suggesting that many individuals chose to sit out the bad weather. One bird, at 270g was 55g lighter than average, so had clearly struggled to feed, but three others weighed, 351g, 360g and 361g, and were ready for off.

The counts made during ringing sessions gave an average density of 0.53 birds per hectare, identical to the long-term average. Of the 122 individuals handled, the ratio of ad to 1stW was 41:81, a much higher proportion of 1stW than the long term average of (5:6).

Almost all woodcock caught have muddy bills right to the feathering, though it is very rare to see one feeding, and on nights when it isn't raining the mud dries off by a couple of hours after dark, suggesting that they only feed for a brief period at dusk.

Colour Ringed Knot - Update

During the flurry of Knot sightings in West Wales over the last few weeks, we have received data on the colour ringed Knot on the 7th March at the Gann. It was first ringed in Waddenzee August 2014, resighted by the same ringer at Porsangerfjord Norway during spring migration and recaptured by Pemb's Ringing Group 7th March 2018. A short but interesting life history for a bird that has an average weight of 137g. We still have a lot to learn about migrating Waders that choose to use the Gann as a stop over. The continued resighting of colour ringed Waders by the users of the Pemb's Bird blog is very much appreciated.

The Gann

Interesting evening at the Gann, 8 species of wader recorded mainly Bar-tailed Godwit, also in the mix were Oystercatcher, Redshank, Ruff, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Knot and a single Whimbrel. We have heard a Whimbrel calling on a few occasions since the middle of January and there is a possibility this is the same bird.

The most intriguing bird of the evening was a colour ringed Knot from a ringing scheme in the Netherlands (we are awaiting details).

We had some resightings from the Skomer Wardens today and one Oystercatcher ringed last night was resighted on a Skomer high tide roost this morning. This confirms further, that there is an interaction between the Gann and Skomer. Thanks Ed, Bee, et al.

The Purple Sandpiper ringed back in January may well not be a one-off occurrence, as we had a chat with Derek G in the car park and he showed us a photo he took back in November at the Gann of a Purple Sandpiper.