During the last week or so wader numbers have been on the
increase around Bank Island and Wheldrake. This tempted Craig to try his luck,
and so early Monday morning (4am) the nets were up and open at Bank Island, a
couple of net rounds/hours later saw a Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper and Black-headed
Gull caught. The guys arrived just in time and were most pleased to see
what Craig’s early start had produced!
Green Sandpiper
James - ringing a Snipe
Black-headed Gull
A check of the duck trap next produced a brood of Mallard
ducklings (9 pulli, 2 adults). All were a good size for ringing and went off with colour-rings.
Sam - ringing a Mallard duckling
Mallard brood
Towards the end of the day we noticed broods of Shoveler
and Tufted Ducks on the pool of water behind Bank Island and so we decided to
have a go, and with hand catching being the method it would depend on how quick
the guys could move!
We quickly split into two teams and took a side of the water
each, as we entered the water the ducks dived or got out on to the bank, very
quick reactions from the lads resulted in hand catching 3 Shoveler ducklings and
a Mallard! However we knew there was the potential to catch a few more so we
carefully worked the edges of the pool and came away with another two Shoveler ducklings
which had hunkered down in the weed.
Shoveler ducklings
Colour-ringed Coot
Then just when we thought it couldn’t get much better Adam stumbled upon a Little Grebe tucked amongst the weed!
Shaping the ring for the Little Grebe
The catch was then rounded off with a single Tufted Duck duckling caught - another great effort
from the guys, this kind of ringing/catching only really works with a big team,
especially if they can run fast - even in waders, which if you’ve done it you’ll
know what an effort it is!
Tufted Duck duckling
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