RAS, roost and RAS sessions

On Monday 18 July, Jerry and Andy were at the jetty.  Conditions were perfect, early mist was forecast, but this had cleared by the time the nets were set.  With a flat calm lake, and overcast sky, it looked promising for a good catch.  This wasn't to be, however, and the first bird didn't arrive until 45 mins into the session, which ended on just 11 + (3) - though this did include one more adult retrap Reed Warbler for the RAS.  

The mix was 

7 + (2) Reed Warbler, 

1 Sedge Warbler, 

1 Marsh Tit, 

(1) Long-tailed Tit, 

1 Reed Bunting and 

1 Blackbird.  

The Lake was nice and tranquil, with a large Otter fishing in the lily pads just off the jetty, and a Kite circled overhead.  But this was shattered at 10.30, with the launching of a couple of motorboats.  One was pulling an inner tube, while the other looked to have an inflatable settee in toe. Training sessions for water skiers may have some merit (to compensate for the disturbance caused), but this type of activity really ought to be phased out.  It was time for Andy to do his butterfly census, while Jerry packed away the nets.

On Wednesday evening, Alan L and Andy tried the jetty again. Some 60 Starling landed in the willow just west of the nets, but none were caught.  There were two Hobby hunting, and although approx 300 Sand Martin were attracted to the tape, several hitting the nets, but most didn't pocket and only a few were caught.  

The session ended on 

4 Sand Martin, 

1 Reed Warbler and 

1 Dunnock (ringed with ALO's own ring).

After two "hot and sunny" days (25/30 deg), Thursday was forecast to be cooler (only in the high teens), so Jerry and Andy tried rb2 again.  The catch was the highest of the year (so far) at 68 + (14).  In contrast to recent sessions, there were good numbers of young Reed Warblers (nearing completion of their post-juvenile moult), suggesting that they have started to move through the Lake (from further north or west), rather than being locally reared. 

The catch detail was 

6 Wren (mainly a family group), 

1 + (1) Blackbird, 

1 Song Thrush, 

2 + (2) Robin, 

2 Redstart, 

3 Sedge Warbler, 

31 + (4) Reed Warbler, 

2 Garden Warbler, 

7 Blackcap, 

3 Chiffchaff, 

4 + (4) Willow Warbler, 

3 Long-tailed Tit, 

2 + (2) Treecreeper and 

1 + (1) Reed Bunting.  

There were two more retrap Reed Warbler for the RAS.