South Coast Trogons Bird Club: Outing report- Bird Ringing 13th November 2011 Andrew & Ivan Pickles, Umzumbe

Monday 14 November 2011

Outing report- Bird Ringing 13th November 2011 Andrew & Ivan Pickles, Umzumbe

Text & photos: Andy Ruffle

Attendees: Liz Blomeyer, Davina Campbell, Mike Fagan, Eric, Christine & Bradley Kok, Andy Ruffle.

It was another perfect morning for ringing on Sunday and a total contrast from the previous day's wind and rain.

First out of the nets was a Terrestrial Brownbul, but was unfortunately missed by the attendees. The early bird catches the worm guys.

Once again, the ringing session afforded us wonderful opportunities to observe some difficult to see species 'up close and personal'.

Check out the Olive Sunbird photo below. It was noted that some birds have an orange base to the bill. The bird is not a juvenile, therefore the coloration is not a gape. This appears on some birds, but not all, rather like the yellow wing patch of the male Black Cuckooshrike.

Of the 20 odd birds netted, we had five re-captures. Two Cape White-eyes which were ringed on 06/10/07 and 28/09/08 by Andrew & Ivan; plus a Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Terrestrial Brownbul and Collared Sunbird, for which we await further details from SAFRING.

One of the highlights of the morning was netting not one, but two juvenile Gorgeous Bush-shrikes in quick succession. We surmise that they were probably from the same brood. To top this, Liz and I had lovely views of a male bird whilst we braaing in Andrew & Ivan's garden.

Another highlight for the morning was being able to visit a nesting African Finfoot at one of our regular Trogon's venues. Very little is known about it's breeding, so this site may throw up some interesting information.

The next ringing session will be on Sunday 11th December at Umzumbe floodplain. We thoroughly recommend you come along and attend these very educational mornings.