November 4th
Whilst I have been incapacitated Matt has been ringing by himself on the Marshes south of the railway and this morning caught a male Pine Bunting (194th) that appears to have a trace of Yellowhammer in it. Primaries 3-5 seem to have pale yellow edges. With dark shaft streaks on the crown it looks like a first year male and so isn't the bird recorded in February 2018. We have a small feather that was dislodged as it flew away on release which we hope to send off for DNA testing, but when is a Pine Bunting not a Pine Bunting?

Matt spent the morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway and birds seen included 1 Grey Wagtail, 12 Yellowhammers, 30 Corn Buntings, 1 Fieldfare, 8 Redwing, 1 Siskin, 1 male Pine Bunting, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Marsh Harrier, 60 Reed Buntings, 40 Chaffinches and 20 Golden Plover. 

Birds ringed 48: Goldcrest 3, Chiffchaff 1, Reed Bunting 22, Robin 4, Great Tit 4, Chaffinch 3, Blue Tit 1, Yellowhammer 4, Dunnock 4, Pine Bunting 1, Song Thrush 1.