CES 2

The second CES visit of 2014 was completed by Gareth and Jerry on Sunday 18th May.

It was a very sunny and hot day, with frequent southerly gusts which made the nets quite visible and probably affected the catch, even though the session turned up a good number from a range of species!

Numbers were boosted by a flock of 16 long tailed tits, which comprised 4 adults, one with a brood patch, suggesting at least 3 families.

Other evidence of breeding in the area was seen in pairs of garden warbler and bullfinch caught together, and 2 newly fledged robin.

A particularly interesting bird was a control (ringed elsewhere) chiff chaff (pictured).

The total catch for the day was 27 new + (12) retraps, comprising:

Robin 2;

Blaca 1;

Bulfi 2;

Dunno 1 (1);

Greti (1);

Cetwa (1);

Garwa (2);

Chiff (2);

Wren 1 (2);

Wilwa (1);

Lotti 15 (1);

Treec 1;

Grefi 2;

Misth 1;

Blabi (1).

Most of our nest boxes were occupied, but several in rb2 had damaged lids over the winter. Four broods of Greti were ringed (total 31p), which were mainly feathered, but broods of Bluti were a bit younger and will have to wait a few more days.  Also present were nests of Nutha,  Piefl and at least 4 Redst.