CurriEco Nest record Scheme 2013 - BTO Nest Records.

What happened to our roof-nesting Oystercatchers?

Our remaining Oystercatcher chick flew off with its parents on the first weekend of the summer break, so June 29th or 30th.  They have probably gone to the coast. In some parts of the Forth coast people call them Mussel-peckers because they see them feeding on shellfish on the rocks.

On a visit to our roof we found the shallow scrape in some moss, hardly a nest, where the eggs had originally been laid.  Since the chick was ringed there is a possibility that we will learn more about its life in the future.


A young oystercatcher. (This one is not ours though!)

The school buildings seem very quiet since they left!   Although there is a good chance the Oysterctachers have produced young here in previous years, this is the first time we are sure a chick grew to flying size!  Great!

That is the final chapter in the Nest Records story in 2013.  The remaining record cards will now be sent to the BTO. Thanks to all the Currie ecologists who took part in the monitoring and recording, and to everyone else who took an interest in our breeding birds this year!

Nest Records Update (Currie Ecology Nest Records - BTO Nest Record Scheme)

The rooftop Oystercatcher chick just before it is let go, back to its parents.

Our BTO licensed ringer carefully fits the chick with its ring and number:

FA81541.

A quick 'hello' to Currie Ecology pupils.

 

Date:  13th  June 2013. UPDATE 3
Nest Box  No./ Nest record No.	Location	Species		Nesting Activity	Notes
1/	Quad.	Blue Tit		-	A few days ago only 4 healthy chicks remained but they were growing well. Today they were dead – cause unknown.  The adults were still present and looking after the box, so could have been disease.
2/	Front (Sparrow)				Apparently unoccupied
3/	Front (Sparrow)				Apparently unoccupied
4/	Front (Sparrow)				Apparently unoccupied
5/	Roley’s Wood	Blue Tit		-	This was a failed nest.
6/	Roley’s Wood	Great Tit		Successful nest	Should be fledged and away by now.
7/	Roley’s Wood			TBC	Still to be re-visited
8/	Roley’s Wood			TBC	Still to be re-visited.  Someone disturbed the box by trying to take it off the tree.
Open Nests
	Quad.			Successful nest	4 chicks fledged
	Main building roof	Oyster- catcher		Two chicks were running freely with pin feathers – one found dead today.	The larger healthy chick was ringed, number FA81541. There were some Herring Gulls loafing around so the dead chick might be a result of an attempt at predation.

Currie Ecology Nest Records Update - June 4th

(British Trust for Ornithology Nest Record Scheme)

A large brood of Great Tits (by J Buckley).  Our's only had 4 chicks (see below).  This may have been connected with the cold Spring.

Some of Currie Ecology checking Box 6

Date:  4th June 2013 – UPDATE 2
Nest Box  No./ Nest record No.	Location	Species		Nesting Activity	Notes
1/	Quad.	Blue Tit		Female brooding 7 live chicks	One egg did not hatch . The chicks are about four days old.  The male is coming to the box with food and making alarm calls
2/	Front (Sparrow)				Apparently unoccupied
3/	Front (Sparrow)				Apparently unoccupied
4/	Front (Sparrow)				Apparently unoccupied
5/	Roley’s Wood	Blue Tit		1 dead day-old chick	This is a failed nest – probably the chicks were eaten by a predator.
6/	Roley’s Wood	Great Tit		Four large chicks	Not far off fledging.  Each one was ringed with a unique BTO ring.  With this we might be able to follow their life story.
7/	Roley’s Wood			Nest started	More building in evidence but the nest is not yet complete - watch this space!
8/	Roley’s Wood			5 eggs	Female brooding. Can't be far off hatching now.  Not many eggs for a Blue Tit.
Open Nest Nest record No.
TBC	Quad.	Blackbird		Nest empty	The four fledged birds in their juvenile plumage have been in the Quad for the last week or so.  They are flying well!   The nest record card is off to the BTO for their database!

Currie Ecology Nest Records (British Trust for Ornithology Nest Record Scheme)

 

Date:  23rd May 2013 - Update
Nest Box  No./ Nest record No.	Location	Species		Nesting Activity	Notes
1/	Quad.	Blue Tit		Female brooding 8 eggs	Male is bring food for the female
2/	Front (Sparrow)				Apparently unoccupied
3/	Front (Sparrow)				Apparently unoccupied
4/	Front (Sparrow)				Apparently unoccupied
5/	Roley’s Wood	Blue Tit		Female brooding 9 eggs	Maybe more eggs to come!
6/	Roley’s Wood	Great Tit		Female on 4 chicks	Only about 2 days old!
7/	Roley’s Wood			Some nesting material inside	Looks like building stopped
8/	Roley’s Wood	Blue Tit		Nest with 3 eggs	Maybe more eggs to come
Open Nest - record No.
TBC	Quad.	Blackbird		Four large chicks	Almost ready to fledge.! This is the second brood of Blackbird s in the Quad. this year!  A record!