Great Journey South - THE FALL feat. Wryneck and Sparrowhawk! Stanford Ringing Group. Panasonic GH5

It's the final installment of WILD! Vlogs from Stanford Ringing Group during the climax of bird movement for the summer passerines. After Storm Francis blows through a 3-4 day build-up of migrants explode onto the scene creating whats known as a 'fall'. Ringing over 600 (!!) birds in one morning creates a spectacle not to be missed - especially when a Sparrowhawk and Wryneck are in the mix!
Find out more about Stanford Ringing Group and how you might support them by following these links;
website stanfordrg.org.uk/
twitter / rg_stanford

[@wildlifenet]

Amazing Film Simon, I really enjoyed seeing the Sparrowhawk. - Stewart.

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Hi Stewart - sorry, clearly missed this one. Thank you so much, means a lot. It had been a long wait for me with SRG until a Sparrowhawk came through - Really glad you enjoyed itbut we did say the night before that if it were to happen then it would most likely be when there's a big fall!! Really glad you enjoyed it, hope you're well. Si.

[@binkybunnysway943]

Wow that's pretty awesome!!!! Beautiful

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Thank you! Means a lot. Loving your Johnny Morris'eque animal voice-overs, really original. Thanks again, have a fab weekend, Si.

[@hubby-tubadventures01]

Another great film. I really am enjoying my down time watching your contributions Simon. Can't wait to use my new camera in my garden. I have heard of Wryneck but never would have guessed what they looked like. Never cast my eye over them in my RSPB book either. Stunning bird. Excellent film.

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Thank you Steve. It was a great few days, amazing experience with an incredible bunch of people. The Wryneck, well you can see the reactions, just amazing. Thanks again, Si.

[@petern3363]

Excellent film Simon, very professional.

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Brilliant Peter, thank you , really very much appreciated. Hopefully see you soon. Si.

[@FeathersinWild]

Amazing work. Superb like.

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Thank you so much. Really pleased something so special turned up for the finale! Great to have your support, have a brilliant weekend, Si.

[@knutfugl]

Really an interesting movie, Simon. Wryneck is just cool. Very well filmed and edited. Best regards, Knut.

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Thank you Knut. Such a sublime bird. Thanks so much - again! Si.

[@knutfugl]

@@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK ◕‿◕

[@davidneal8659]

Hi Si. Well the final part of this trilogy was well worth waiting for. The Wryneck is a fantastic little bird. Excellently filmed from part 1 to part 3. Thank you for a very informative series of films.

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Thanks so much Dave, really was just the best few weeks. Thanks again and hopefully see you soon, Si.

[@eaglevp]

Amazing seeing the Wryneck,also enjoyed the footage of the male Sparrowhawk really enjoyed this series Simon

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Awesome Keith - thank you. Really turned up trumps at the end there, a fall like that doesn't happen too often. Wryneck was just amazing, perfect end to a brilliant few weeks. Thanks again, have a great week, Si.

[@IanPhillipsWildlife]

That look at 11:16 says it all, what a way to end this wonderful series. Amazing to see the route different species take, top marks for these Si!

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Thanks IP! Means a lot - I know, he was having a kip in the car when I said 'come here, look at this' and from about 20yds he was muttering quietly '...is that a Wryneck?!' It, the whole three/four weeks felt like our summer holiday - made up for the staycation. Thanks again, Si.

[@gwafilms]

Truly awesome finale to this three part series Si, what can say just sublime filmmaking from the beginning to the final drone shot, a joy to watch, excellent:-)

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

That really is very kind Graham. Means a helluva lot. Truly helped by chance that all the planets positioned nicely! Several times they haven't! Thanks ever so, looking forward to late summer and autumn explorations. Speak soon, Si.

[@jungseontv]

Good video my friend

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Thank you - you support is really appreciated. Have a great weekend, Si.

[@johnlambert5674]

Incredible number of birds and species and a fantastic effort by all. I had no idea that such numbers of birds were coming through this site in such concentrations especially as I see so few of them ! This is such important information to record especially in these days of dwindling numbers so well done all. Great film Simon, very professional. Thank you all.

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Thank you John. Really appreciate all the comments especially if the film has really delivered something. Stanford is a real gem in the environ. No doubt about it what the group have done under Micks charge over the last 4 decades and more has created a truly vital place for migrants. Ironically they've just this morning had a Marsh Warbler! Terrific stuff. Thanks again, Si.

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

Lovely stuff buddy! great natural history there! I've only watched one wryneck in the UK at Rainham marsh about 17 years ago feeding on ants along the Thames wall, ive seen loads in Italy and Croatia they are so beautiful to watch and listen to ..... as always a lovely watch JP ...

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Thanks JP! It was a great weekend finale for (thankfully for me filming and the ringers!) the late summer movement. Corking birds and of course, as you highlight, the Wryneck. Only my second - the first being on Ramsey Island, Pembrokeshire, 2001. What a plumage. Brilliant, thanks for watching :) Very best, Si.

[@adamhomer6595]

Great species in a nicely constructed vlog. Well done Simon 👍

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Cheers Adam. Would have been great to have the second A ringer there! Thanks ever so, means a lot. Si.

[@MoniqueSmulders]

Spectacular Si. Great work in two ways! I have to see my first wryneck in real life yet. Great footage and details. And I always have a soft spot for juvenile swallows & martins with their big eyes. Truly enjoyed this series!!!

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Brilliant Monique, thank you. It was a totally unadulterated joy to experience not just this dramatic morning but the gradual build up also. The Wryneck just blew us all away, second only in over 40yrs. Thanks again for your support and kind comments. Have a fab Sunday. Si.

[@1965Ady]

Fantastic Si, I’ve loved following this mini series. The Wryneck is certainly an enigmatic bird. I was surprised the Sparrowhawk was a Male as I thought they were slate grey on the wings and back and russet barred on the front. That bird looked like a female?

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Hey Ady - thank you, hope this finds you well. Yes for the greater part looking like a female Spawk with predominantly brown plumage but this is a first year bird just now developing its adult (male) plumage. You can just make out a few of the lower barred chest feathers are tinging tan/orange. That and of course his overall size. He's a 'teenager' I guess :) Always tricky to ID at this time of year - unless in the hand. Really good to hear from you. Hopefully we can catch up locally at some point in the future. Have a great Sunday. Si.

[@captivatingnature]

Love from kashmir

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Thank you, much love back to Kashmir! Have a great weekend, Si.

[@blutey]

There's something that doesn't sit quite right about ringing wild birds, although I suppose some valuable information is gained by doing so. I would imagine they are stressed and traumatised by the experience, thinking they have been caught by some large predator. Can't help feeling a lot of the attraction is the opportunity to get up close, handle and film the birds which I can actually kind of understand.

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Absolutely there must be some stress involved and undoubtedly an instinctive assumption that they're being predated as there are no circumstances in the wild where capture isn't for nutritional gain. It's the century of ringing now that I guess gives measure to this impact on their lives and an ethical and moral judgement of this acute intervention with associated stresses against the wider value of the data. This activity would have been under the cosh way before now should there have been a disparaging chasm erring toward the effect on the birds welfare. And rightly so. But all impartial research papers have yet to determine this, many produce recommendations which the BTO will cascade to ringers promptly shouldn't they already have administrated it within their very comprehensive codes of conduct of managing every aspect of the ringing intervention. It is an unimaginable thought that the ringers I know would sanction harm to the birds as less of a priority than the data or personal pleasure gained from the activity. Most ringers are first and foremost active conservationists with a constant in their lives on searching out and addressing all things likely to disrupt the welfare of the natural history they love and as such would inherently, by being involved, be repulsed by obvious harm should it be apparent. But it's not. All ringers agree that this activity has to be strictly regulated and continuously monitored. The training to become a ringer is lengthy and complex, requires determination and integrity, those not suited or whom might not be prioritising correctly are all too soon identified and let go. The code of ringers is an honourable one and intrinsically intertwined with the widespread welfare and conservation of nature as a whole. As a side note the individual thrill of handling being close to birds (of a ringer - filming in my case but then I'm not ringing so the camera is not causing harm, nor my presence altering the judgement and/or priority of the ringers) is really a response attributed to new members and those handling a species for the first time. Handling hundreds of birds every month whilst diligently assessing for the most subtle plumage aberrations (there are multiple different areas to assess differing from species to species) in order to determine age, gender and sometimes geographical placement that this as a reason for ringing (the thrill) soon becomes defunct to those that are simply involved for that. It's way too much hard work! Obviously there is a joy, but measured equally across the bigger picture of the power of data that's being obtained. There's a definite link between recovery of SRG birds on migratory routes and the campaigning to preserve, conserve and develop the habitats in those locations. Absolute and definitive links. So it's certainly a heavily measured and professional activity and should there be any research that means it needs further reassessing then there is no doubt this will be done expediently. Ringers are some of the truest naturalists you will find, and some of the most noted naturalists... are ringers. It's an important point you make Blutey, I hope in some way I've allayed your fears. Here is a recent research paper into the benefits of ringing data on the conservation of birds. Thanks for your support and watching, Si. www.researchgate.net/publication/228501270_The_value_of_ringing_for_bird_conservation