Migrant birds in Africa: Burkina Faso: Ringing update from Oursi 22 Jan-2 Feb 2010

Tim Walker writes: The first sessions of two at Oursi are complete. Following the same net plans as used in 2009; we completed the required 8 daily sessions between the 4 sub-sites. We also managed an extra session at Oursi East and an additional 2 sessions at a new site labelled Oursi Lake (between Oursi Camp and Oursi East) that used fewer nets in order to reduce catch size. The reason being to enable more time given over to training local ringers (difficult when catching many birds and priority is speed of processing).

The total of 11 sessions yielded 932 captures of which 866 were new and 66 were retraps. Within these figures, Western Palearctic migrants account for 88 new and 29 retraps. The most prolific of these were Western Bonelli’s Warbler (25 + 2 retraps); Common Whitethroat (17 + 7 retraps); Western Olivaceous Warbler (10 + 2 retraps); Orphean Warbler (pictured below, 7 + 3 retraps); Common Redstart (3 + 7 retraps); Subalpine Warbler 7; and Chiffchaff 5.

Smaller numbers of Hoopoe (both European and African races); Woodchat Shrike; Wryneck; Northern Wheatear; Black-eared Wheatear; and Turtle Dove were trapped and ringed, often revealing interesting moult sequences. None of the afore-mentioned species showed any significant fat scores. We were surprised not to catch any Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Wood Warbler, Flycatchers, or Tree Pipit.

Of immediate interest are the retraps for Common Redstart and Common Whitethroat, most of which were ringed at their respective sites pre Christmas 2009. This indicates winter site fidelity for at least these two species.

Of course we also trapped and ringed substantial numbers of Afro tropical species (including the striking Yellow-crowned Gonolek, pictured below). The most numerous of these by far were the delightful Sudan Golden Sparrows, the males of which remind me of a miniature version of male Yellowhammers. Our first session at Oursi North caught a wealth of these, as we had not accounted for an overnight mixed roost of this species and Red-billed Queleas in the surrounding vegetation. The roost exit was dramatic as wave after wave headed off SE, probably in excess of 5000 birds. Inevitably we had to furl whilst we processed this first round catch! We have seemingly ringed 474 Sudan Golden Sparrows, which leaves a balance of 304 for other Afro species.

However, I have to say, that the prize so far goes to the Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling that I processed. I can honestly say this is the most stunning bird I have ever handled, check it out on the internet. A close second was an immaculate adult Gabar Goshawk, pictured here with Aly.