Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory

This morning, after an apparently well received talk and a couple of pints in the Crispin Inn, I woke early ready for some bird ringing with the bird obs group. The nets were set in willows over the road and first catch brought one lesser redpoll and a chaffinch.
Upon returning, in excess of 25 redpolls, with the haul containing 3 common or mealy redpolls which had earlier been noted in the trees. A lot paler than the lesser jobs. Common redpoll being year lister 207.
Other birds taken were just dunnock, chiffchaff and a couple of robins, both controlled.
Canada geese were overhead and plenty of curlews in an adjacent field whilst a grey wagtail got on to the list as it flew over the bird obs as I was about to leave.
Lovely stay at a really busy bird observatory.

mealy (common) left and lesser redpoll right



front view of the two species

Cardeulis flammea



Carduelis flammea

same bird

Carduelis cabaret