On 22nd October, a group of volunteers certified by the British Trust for Ornithology returned to Millennium Wood to carry out mist netting. Mist netting is an important tool for monitoring species diversity, relative abundance and population size and is harmless to birds when carried out by trained professionals.

The group processed 84 birds, mostly blue tits which had hatched this summer but also a number of coal tit, robins and 6 Goldcrest.

Goldcrest are some of the smallest birds weighing around 5 grammes – the same as a 20 pence coin. The males sport an orange crest of feathers on their heads whilst the females have an all yellow colour – photos of a male and female attached. Male and female coal tits can be distinguished by their appearance; the male has a larger bib under its chin and a glossy black head.

There’s a lot of fungus in the wood – some more unusual like the bracket fungus on the birch in the gallery below.

The thrushes from Europe which come at this time of year to feast on berries and fruits are arriving. A number of redwing were spotted near the wood which has good numbers of Rowan trees full of berries. The group didn’t catch any but they advised residents to look out for them if they are walking near trees or bushes full of berries.

The volunteers thanked everyone for allowing them access to Millennium Wood and they will return later in the year.

Take a look at the following images to see some of the fantastic birds that were recorded during the visit: