August - week two

On Sat 13th, Jerry was back in rb2.  Since the previous visit, a calf had ventured along the path (past our ringing base), but had turned back at the start of the boardwalk.  It was a bit breezy, with some heavy drizzle late on in the session, so the catch of 23 + (5) was reasonable, especially with two Redstart and a Willow Tit in the ditch net (before it was taken down early, due to the wind picking up), and a recently fledged Cettis Warbler in the main nets.

On Sun, George had a higher catch there, of 36 + (9), in much better conditions.  The cows were a while deciding where they wanted to go, so he had to take down the ditch net (for an hour) when they came too close.  When put back up, it continued to add variety to the catch.  Carlton (early part of the session) and Jerry (late) were at the jetty, for a visit by 7 members from Rhayader by Nature.  The catch of 20 + (3) was our first session there (using Acro tapes), this season.  The Group was given detailed information on ageing, feather wear and moult, of Reed Warblers, but unfortunately, the variety of species caught, didn't do justice to the enthusiasm of the Group.  The day total (of Acros), suggested a small movement through the Lake, with a slight rise in numbers, and fewer recaptures.

Feather wear on an adult (above) and juvenile (below) reed warbler.

CP with Rhayader by Nature Group

Monday was the first cold, misty morning of the season, and Jerry had a miserable couple of hours, in rb2, being dripped on.  He opted not to set the ditch net, as he could hear, but couldn't see the cows.  At about 07.30 they started to appear out of the mist, between the ringing base and the ditch net lane, so a wise decision.  The catch of 24 + (1) was ok, given the poor conditions early on.  Playing a Redstart tape (either at the ditch net, or near the main nets), is paying dividends, with 1 or 2 birds caught most sessions.  We have now ringed 41, and our maximum year catch (in 2010) is only one higher.

Two young male Redstarts - one in the middle of its postjuvenile moult (above), the other almost finished (below)

A young Willow tit

Totals - 

Wren 8 + (2), 

Blackbird 1 + (1), 

Dunnock 1 + (1), 

Robin 2 + (1), 

Redstart 3, 

Reed Warbler 46 + (11), 

Sedge Warbler 15, 

Cettis Warbler 1, 

Blackcap 1, 

Willow Warbler 14, 

Chiffchaff 8 + (1), 

Long-tailed Tit 1 + (1), 

Willow Tit 1 and 

Reed Bunting 1.