Bird ringing demonstration at Padworth Common

Popped along to Padworth Common this morning, Reading and Basingstoke Ringing were hosting a bird ringing demonstration there.

This was a first for me, being both interesting and informative and I found it to be an excellent morning out.

Bird ringing is a highly skilled process, requiring a great deal of training and field practice to become fully certified. I was impressed by the dexterity and gentleness with which the ringers initially released their charges from the mist netting and then the deceptive ease with which they handled the birds for identification, weighing and measuring.

They of course require a detailed knowledge of many species, as they have to provide details of gender and age, which is not always easy.

Here are a few photos of the ringing taking place.

Removing the birds from the nets

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Blue tit measuring, ringing and ageing

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The Males created a great fuss, very vocal, superb to look at close up though.:)

Ringing, ageing and measuring

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Didn't like being weighed, was trying to climb back out of the container.:)

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Interesting read and fantastic pictures Rolf :)

These little guys were a little more passive than the Blue tits, which enjoyed a little peck at the ringers' fingers.:)

Coal tit

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Marsh tit

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As an added point, the ringer was kind enough to explain about another key difference when identifying Marsh against Willow Tit and that is the white markings on the cutting edge of the beak, the Willow Tit doesn't have this.:)

Fantastic shots, you aren't going to be able to up that close again - wish I'd been there. They must be very patient and quite skilled to be able to do all that... and not be pain sensitive as I bet they get quite a few pecks and claw piercings.

Mind you, the shots where he's being weighed look like a magician's 'cup' trick :)

Yes, it's funny watching the small birds being weighed, as they are tipped into what looks like a 35mm film drum, all you can see is their little tails and feet sticking out.:)

Excellent shots Rolf. :thumbsup: What a fantastic experience.
I have to chuckle at the way the poor little birds are tipped in to the drum to be weighed. :eek:

Absolutely brilliant shots, Rolf!:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

So the males were the ones to make most fuss, eh? WHAT a surprise!;)

Yes great shots Rolf :thumbsup: I'm very envious of your morning out.

You'd certainly have enjoyed it Mark, will let everyone know when the next one is on.:)

@ Catherine, Tim, one of the ringers Emailed me to let me know that the Females make as much noise, just that they didn't catch any that day.:)

But he WOULD, wouldn't he, as he's a man!

Never mind! Better luck at catching a female next time, Rolf - in a manner of speaking....;)

LOL - that says it all - the only way a man can get a woman is to catch and ring her ;)

Tried the ringing bit, but they never answer.:-rofl

might like to attend next time, I should have paid more attention to the notice when I saw it here on the group site, love the pictures taken - simply great and a fantastic opportunity:thumbsup:

Don't worry Ann, I'll let everyone know when the next one is.:)