A few Christmas stragglers

Several more recoveries.

N05171
08.06.2012 Ponta de Almadena, Faro, Portugal
26.07.2012  ENR
48days 2409km

2659698
03.08.2011 ENR
27.06.2012 Eilean An Taighe, Western Isles
329days 140km

2681261
25.07.2012 ENR
31.07.2012 Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney
6days 129km

2681383
25.07.2012 ENR
08.08.2012 Bur Wick, South Ronaldsay, Orkney
14days 82km

2681877
26.07.2012 ENR
31.07.2012  Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney
5days 129km

2681892
26.07.2012 ENR
04.08.2012 Usan, Montrose, Angus
9days 238km

Recoveries II: ringed elsewhere recaptured on ENR

Recaptured ENR 22.07.2012
2594863 Isle of May, Fife 04.08.2011 / 353days 284km
2647320 Faraid Head 26.08.2011 / 331 days 27km
2662065 Great Skellig, KERRY 02.07.2011 / 386days 850km

Recaptured ENR 23.07.2012
2620258 Twinyness, North Ron 03.08.2008 / 1450days140km
2540552 Tresh Ness, Orkney 22.08.2011 / 336days 129km
2622017 Faraid Head 26.08.2011 / 332days 27km
2647326 Faraid Head 26.08.2011 / 332days
2647451 Faraid Head 27.08.2011 / 331days
2667921 Sheepland Harbour, Ardglass, DOWN 15.07.2012 / 8days  481km
664143 Duncansby Head, Highland 17.08.2011 / 341days 75km

Recaptured ENR 24.07.2012
1409134 Badbea, Berriedale, Highland 01.07.2011 / 389days 64km
2540552 Tresh Ness, Orkney 22.08.2011 / 337days 129km
2647332 Faraid Head 26.08.2011 / 333days 27km
2647399 Faraid Head 26.08.2011 / 333days
2647431 Faraid Head 26.08.2011 / 332days

Recaptured ENR 25.07.2012
2540560  Tresh Ness, Orkney 23.08.2011 / 337days 129km
2640725 Annagh Head, Bellmullet, MAYO 05.09.2010 / 689days 597km
2622083 Faraid Head 26.08.2011 / 334days 27km
2647327 Faraid Head 26.08.2011 / 334days  

Recoveries I: ringed on ENR recaptured elsewhere

2641311 ENR 28.07.2009
Priest Island, Highland 15.06.2012 / 1053days 97km
2659002 ENR 01.08.2011
Priest Island, Highland 17.06.2012 / 321days 97km

2659242 ENR 02.08.2011
Duncansby Head 31.07.2012 / 364days 75km
2681682 ENR 25.07.2012
Duncansby Head 26.07.2012 / 5days
2681246 ENR 25.07.2012
Duncansby Head 31.07.2012 / 6days
2681890 ENR 26.07.2012
Duncansby Head 31.07.2012 / 5dyas

2013

Already!! bookings are being taken for next year. So far six already have their names down for a return next year.

2012 - part 2 - non-Stormies.

When time, energy and inclination permit, we also attempt to catch some of the other birds present on the island. Usually we manage a few juvenile skuas who, although reasonably hidden away, get 'revealed' by over-possessive parents who take to playing aerial chicken with those who venture too close. Additionally, with a glorified fire-guard from Kenny, and some fish from Jeddah/Andy, we have perfected catching adult skua - which can be entertaining for those watching others who are not used to handling such large birds.

Additionally we ringed two wheatear and two Lesser Black-backed gull chicks. An attempt to catch shag was not succesful as there were a) very few b) they were inaccessible c) the breeding season was (apparently) earlier this year.

Alex at one point took himself off and found a Snipe's nest, together with one other chick which was also ringed. Bob, took himself off to the beach and found the long-dead remains of a shag carrying a red darvic - BWH - for which details are awaited.

Additionally nest record cards for 32 Fulmar nests were returned.

2012 - part 1 - Stormies.

A midday passage to the island was brought forward as a 'blow' was expected. So from quayside to island, with three trips, was completed before we were due to start. Tents were erected quickly as large dark clouds started to appear over the horizon threatening rain. Fortunately that was all it turned out to be for the whole of our stay - threatening (but never quiet getting there). The wind however did stay with us for the next 48 hours and generated some thought as to where the nets could be best placed for catching. Indeed for the next three days any sort of boat-landing on the island would have been extremely tricky (and wet) as the swell was well in excess of 14 feet!

The Team this year consisted of twelve - old hands in Tony, Kenny, Bob, Jedda, Andy and Stephen, and then Nan Ron virgins in Allan, Kevin and Paul (from Shropshire) and Alex and Chris (from somewhere off Stephen's list of associates).

The first night Bob took a team of four, and one 60ft net, down on to the slabs, while the rest worked a new site with two sixty foot nets in a gully near the campsite. Although the wind was swirling, and changed direction several times during the night, totals the following morning - for new birds caught only -stood at 190 for the slabs and 87 for the gully, with one Norwegian control.

The following night the whole Team was taken to the Maze. Three nets and two sound systems produced a mere 97 birds as it never really got dark and the birds just ended up dancing around the nets rather than being caught in them.

Night three had the Team split again with four going back to the slabs and the rest working the Maze. A better night all round. On the slabs, from one net, 195 birds resulted, while at the Maze 331 new birds were caught. The final night, as it now our custom, nets were set about the campsite - 276 birds resulted with virtually the last bird of the night being a Portugese control.

Totals for this visit finished at: 1176 new, 62 retraps and 23 controls (including the birds from Norway and Portugal).

they've been wrong before and they'll be wrong again

2012 - another season.

The time of our annual visit approaches and so tents, sleeping bags and other assorted paraphernalia are gathered together and checked ready for the big pack. Trips to the shops are planned to buy in-date insect repellant as well as all of those life sustaining packet meals, nutty bars and UHT treated milk!
The weather has not been good over the past months so this might be a year that is wetter than most - not to worry, at least it'll keep the midges down.
A team of eleven are going this year, with five newbies (to Storm Petrels and island ringing , not ringing in general) coming along for the experience.
The boat leaves on Sunday 22nd - stay tuned.