Swan Catch

Today I was extremely privileged to be invited to take part in the annual swan catch at WWT Caerlaverock. Roughly 180 Mute and Whooper Swans were caught, ringed, measured and released, with a number of birds having bloods and x-rays taken, in order to assess the amount of lead in each individual.

Its was a great experience handling and working with these birds, there's something truly wild in the nature of the Whooper Swans. Stunning animals.

BTO Nest Record Scheme

This morning my BTO Nest Record Scheme pack arrived, I'd been inspired through the work of Kane and Gillian. Taking a break from my final project I headed over to Red House Farm, mainly to check the bird boxes (courtesy of Wellfield Middle School) I had put up over the winter, in an attempt to hold the visiting Tree Sparrows.


Unfortunately the Tree Sparrows haven't used the boxes, although at least one bird is still present, calling from within the Hawthorns. Thankfully 2 out of 3 boxes are in use, both by Tit species. Both Blue Tit and Great Tit were calling in the vicinity. Box RHF Box 2 contained a half built nest, and RHF Box 3 had just recently begun gaining nesting material.

The area holds a huge number of breeding Wood Pigeons, although most are inaccessible. After searching some of the lower Hawthorns I eventually found this nest with 2 eggs. 

And for anyone interested, the post mortem for the Buzzard I found February 2011 in Cliburn Moss (near Penrith) was sent through today. Glad to see it hadn't been poisoned or shot. (double click for larger view)