Our first Goldfinch to the Loire......!

Goldfinch D678880 was ringed in Boncath during part of a study into local Siskins. This study will hopefully develop in to a RAS. The Goldfinch was ringed on 8th April 2014 and found sick on the 13th April 2015 at Ports, Indre-et-Loire, France, 370 days later and a movement of 669km.
                             

Though we have caught Goldfinches with large biometrics, suggesting a more continental origin, D687880 with a wing of 79mm and weight of 16.1g indicates a more local origin.

We carried out CES 3 yesterday, with good numbers compared to previous years CES 3.
Highlights included a Lesser Whitethroat with a brood patch, always a good record for this fairly recent colonist to West Wales, and  a breeding female Willow Warbler, first ringed in 2011 and caught in every breeding season since. Amongst the 42 new, and 34 retraps - two Whitethroats, a Garden Warbler, the first moulting adult Great and Blue Tits and 12 juvenile Robins.
Also five returning Reed Warblers, including one from 2010.

....Back to garden finches....

Above a photo of a feeder outside the Tip cabin- our Long Point Bird Obs. accommodation complete with Pine Siskin, Purple Finch and American Goldfinch. The Pine Siskins are much less colourful than ours, larger, with little difference between the sexes.

Now back from Long Point Bird Obs. in Canada time to catch the local Siskins, hopefully producing a RAS project. During 2014 from 30th May to mid July when they leave, 82 new and 36 retrap Siskins were caught in Boncath. Also a 3JJ Siskin moved from Llechryd to Boncath in 24 hours, a 5km movement. We are hoping that this year we can develop this into a RAS as suggested by the BTO.
(photos Mick Townsend)