Final RAS (and Aquatic) Sessions

The end of August generally sees the final reed bed sessions, and on Wed 27 Jerry and Andy were in rb2 for a catch of 41 + (10). Approx half of which came in the 07.30 net round, and several of the Sedwa having fat scores of 30/40. On Sun 31, Jerry was back for a catch of 38 + (11). The highlights on the latter date were another juvenile Cettis Warbler, and a Sedge Warbler weighing 18.7 gm (fat score 80) - probably the heaviest we have ever had. It had previously been ringed at the jetty on 14 Aug (11.5 gm and fat score 00), suggesting good feeding conditions at the Lake, even if most warblers do not fatten here, to this extent, before migrating.

Wren 4 + (1), Redst 2, Robin 1, Cetwa 1, Reewa 42 + (13), Sedwa 16 + (4), Wilwa 4, Chiff 7, Goldc 1, Bluti 1 + (2) and Reebu (1).

For our Reed Warbler RAS, we had 17 sessions at the jetty (9 July to 24 Aug), and 15 sessions at rb2 (17 June to 31 Aug). A total of 49 + (28) adult birds were caught - 21 + (11) at the jetty, and 28 + (17) in rb2. This represents a significant proportion of the Lake's breeding population - the latest estimate being 80-100 pairs. The retraps were originally ringed in 2013 (12), 2012 (7), 2011 (4) and 2010 (5). The higher capture total in rb2 was due mainly to the earlier start, with 9 + (7) caught there before the first visit to the jetty. The BTO have indicated that some May visits would likely boost the adult capture, and we should certainly be aiming to do earlier jetty visits in future years. They also indicated that August captures are not usually taken into account when calculating survival rates. This is because there are likely to be some migrating birds passing through in August, making their future capture less likely, and thus depressing the calculated survival rate. If the August birds are excluded, our capture total would fall to 39 + (23), and would then be at the lower end of the necessary numbers to qualify for a "stand alone" RAS.

After the session, Jerry was joined by Alan J and Andy for a couple of hours cutting the willow encroachment in the reed bed.

Good progress made, with a some of the remaining Willow, which we still hope to cut back this year in the background.

Alan J with the remaining Willow, to give an idea of the size of the remaining trees

Between the reed bed visits, Jerry and Andy tried the Pennorth feeders on Sat 30. The intention was to ring some of the 25+ House Sparrow, but (as usual) most evaded the net. Most of the catch comprised Blue Tit, and interestingly, they appear to have had a poorer breeding season than several other species, with slightly more adults than first year caught. The total catch was Blaca 1, Chiff 1, Bluti 21 + (1), Greti 5, Housp 4 and Chaff 1 + (1).

In August we ringed 635 birds, a respectable total - but a few short of our highest (we have ringed 1000+ in August four times), and our YTD is now 1736 (already higher than 2012's total).