Saturday 30 August 2014

Bunting Bonanza and Sami Spectacular

This morning the forecast was correct in saying the wind would be from the west with sunny periods. It was cool and bright first thing and it wasn't long before birds started to drop into the nets. We thought  it was going to be a good day. We did not have any new species but made our target of 300 birds. The birds of the day were Reed Buntings with 58 being caught. The total number of species caught was 18. Willow Warbler, Sedge Wardler, Common Redpoll, Redwing, Meadow Pipit, Bluethroat, Reed Bunting, Brambling, Greenfinch, Little Stint, White Wagtail, Lapland Bunting, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Wheatear, Chiffchaff, Dunnock and Curlew Sandpiper. One of the nuisance problems today was the consistent visit to out nets by a Merlin, often putting the birds down for a while. We also had good views of two White Tailed Eagles.


This Redwing is a juvenile and was one of 5 caught today and the total at the moment is 73 birds.


I thought I might post more pictures of where we do our ringing. Both pictures taken this morning, even though the tide is out on this picture and in on the picture below. This picture is looking East.


This picture is looking West. If you look closely you can see the nets furled in the foreground. As the tide recedes we open them. The birds come to the beach to feed on the bounty left behind by the tide.


After lunch we decided to go to the Sami Craft and Food Fayre at Varangerbotn. There were lots and lots of people there and it make you wonder where they all come from because where we are staying in Norway is a very low population area. The Sami dress culture was amazing so bright and colourful as can be seen from these pictures.

Also they had these rides for the kids. Each trolley on wheels pulled by eight dogs.


There were lots of crafts which showed a lot of interest, especially by the people who were dressed in their traditional clothing.


Finally I got this picture of a Lady in Sami clothing being interviewed on video, probably for a newspaper.

See more information at http://varangerringing.blogspot.co.uk

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