Swan catch . . .
Today's annual swan catch netted a total of 101 Whoopers - a good number, slightly bettering the 92 birds caught earlier in the week at WWT Cearlaverock. The birds are measured, weighed, and given a general health check before being fitted with a numbered leg ring which can easily be read in the field. This allows observers to keep track the movements of individual birds, which can yield important information about migration routes and stopovers and may help in future conservation efforts. 70% of the birds trapped today were caught for the first time, the others having been trapped and ringed in previous years.
Elsewhere on the reserve, another good raptor day, with Merlin, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk present. 2 Tawny Owls were in the 'usual spot' (ask at In Focus if you need precise directions), and at least 2 Barn Owls were hunting along the edge of the reserve.
21 Avocets, 60+ Ruff (including several females, which are strikingly small alongside the males which account for most of our overwintering birds) and at least 40 Black-tailed Godwits were on and around the Mere
