Jetty Roost, Jetty visit 3 and CES 9

On the evening of 24 July, Jeremy and Jerry tried taping for some Sanma/Swall at the jetty, despite good numbers circling above the nets, the local Hobby made repeated passes and disrupted the roost - and only 3 of the target species were caught. However, the tapes seemed to attract some late Reewa, and the session ended on 13 + (5). The following morning Jeremy was back, but the bright sunshine (from 06.00) reduced the potential catch. Despite good numbers of birds moving through the reeds, the total was just 19 + (3) - mainly Reewa. However the evening and morning sessions, added a further 4 adult Reewa recaptures to our RAS.

Jerry was in the garden doing CES 9, and despite the sunshine, had the best catch of the year so far. Although there were relatively few warblers caught, there were good numbers of young resident species - mainly Blabi (fewer than last week, as most of the cherry/currents have now been eaten), Robin, Dunno and Bullf (equaling the previous day max, which has stood since 1987).

The species mix for the two days was -Wren 3 + (1), Chiff 3, Wilwa 1, Sanma 3, Robin 5 + (1), Dunno 5, Blabi 12 + (6), Sonth 2 + (1), Reewa 20 + (8), Sedwa 6, Blaca 4 + (1), Bluti 1 + (1), Nutha 2, Grefi 1, Bullf 10 + (1) and Reebu 2. Jerry took the opportunity to measure some Dunno legs, the larger measurement is "front to back" of the tarsus, and the 5 birds measured 1.7, 2.0, 2.1, 2.3 and 2.3 mm. An A ring might only have been a "comfortable fit" on the first bird, the remainder needing the larger B size. The best sighting of the morning wasn't a bird, but a 750mm (approx) Grass Snake sunning itself next to the compost heap.