Feeding station with antenna to read PIT tags
The study is into its 8th month now and progressing well. The wildlife cameras I put out in June have provided some excellent data and insight into the secret lives of birds at feeders. They also picked up a few night visitors – mostly cats, but the odd possum too. Over the next few weeks I’ll be placing them out again for spring visitation data.
The tracking tunnels were put out again in the 2nd week of September. There were fewer positive results this time round – about 1/3 detected hedgehogs, and just one mouse detected. It is possible that we had less hedgehogs this time as some may still have been in hibernation.
The tracking tunnels were put out again in the 2nd week of September. There were fewer positive results this time round – about 1/3 detected hedgehogs, and just one mouse detected. It is possible that we had less hedgehogs this time as some may still have been in hibernation.
A spotted dove being dusted for ecto-parasites
A total of 180 birds were caught this time, with 9 of those being recaptured birds. The rest were new individuals, and these were banded with both a metal and colour bands. Which brings the total number of birds banded to over 300.
At 3 feeding sites, a subset of the birds have been PIT tagged (microchipped). An antenna has been fitted to the feeding station, and will pick up (read) these PIT tagged birds when they pass through to get to the food. We have had over 15’000 reads so far from 38 individuals – data to look at in more detail on a rainy day!
The bird counts are ticking over, and after a preliminary peek at the data, the counts do seem to be backing up observations at the feeding sites. Sparrow numbers have increased dramatically, as have spotted doves. Still the same range of species coming to the feeders, though it seems silvereyes have stopped coming in now that there is other food available for them.
Haere ra!
At 3 feeding sites, a subset of the birds have been PIT tagged (microchipped). An antenna has been fitted to the feeding station, and will pick up (read) these PIT tagged birds when they pass through to get to the food. We have had over 15’000 reads so far from 38 individuals – data to look at in more detail on a rainy day!
The bird counts are ticking over, and after a preliminary peek at the data, the counts do seem to be backing up observations at the feeding sites. Sparrow numbers have increased dramatically, as have spotted doves. Still the same range of species coming to the feeders, though it seems silvereyes have stopped coming in now that there is other food available for them.
Haere ra!