The first "Acro" taping session of the year, on Wed 3rd, saw Jerry and Andy having a catch of 27 + (11), but the gusty breeze, and occasional light drizzle, probably reduced their catch. Numbers of new and retrap Reed Warbler were about equal, but subsequent catches had greatly reduced retrap numbers, indicative of local birds moving on, and of migrants (probably from further north and west of the Lake) passing through.
On Thurs, Jeremy and Robyn had a catch of 21 + (8). Relatively few Sedge Warbler breed around the Lake, which is reflected in their lower numbers of recaptures. Their visit coincided with a couple of days of Sedge Warbler passage, with about equal numbers of new Sedge and Reed Warblers ringed.
On Fri, George had the best catch of 35 + (8), also with good numbers of both Sedge and Reed Warblers. Unfortunately, he was unable to put up the "ditch net" as cows were now back in the fields, and it is this net that provides much of the species' variety.
On Sat, Jerry and Alice were able to put this short net up again, as the cows moved into the point field (soon after first light), and they had a catch of 26 + (7). Reed Warbler numbers again dominated (about double that of Sedge), but there was only one retrap (an adult, which would have contributed to our RAS had it been caught a week earlier).
On Sun, Gareth had a catch of 27 + (6). The breezy conditions kept catches in the ditch net low, but two Redstart were attracted to the tape. Reed Warbler captures were four times that of Sedge.
The final visit (on Mon), by Jerry, resulted in a (remarkably similar) catch of 26 + (6). It was a bit breezy for the "ditch net" (and the cows remained in the rb2 field until 11.00), but the wood provided plenty of shelter for the reed bed nets.
The Redstart tape was positioned on the boardwalk, and managed to attract the target species just as packing up (and probably attracted some 10 Phyllosc Warblers mid session). Just two Sedge Warblers were caught, with this species' passage only apparent on Thurs and Fri.
The overall species mix was Wren 4 + (1), Robin 6 + (6), Redstart 5 + (1), Song Thrush 1 + (2), Blackbird (1), Sedge Warbler 44, Reed Warbler 68 + (26), Garden Warbler 3, Blackcap 4 + (1), Chiffchaff 5 + (1), Willow Warbler 14 + (5), Goldcrest 1, Blue Tit 4 + (1), Treecreeper 2 + (1) - Total 161 + (46).
A very bright willow warbler
The overall species mix was Wren 4 + (1), Robin 6 + (6), Redstart 5 + (1), Song Thrush 1 + (2), Blackbird (1), Sedge Warbler 44, Reed Warbler 68 + (26), Garden Warbler 3, Blackcap 4 + (1), Chiffchaff 5 + (1), Willow Warbler 14 + (5), Goldcrest 1, Blue Tit 4 + (1), Treecreeper 2 + (1) - Total 161 + (46).
An adult male redstart caught at the ditch net on Sunday 7th
On Friday 5th, Jerry and Andy had a break from the Lake, and went further afield to help Vaughan and Richard ring at the Newport Wetland Reserve. A single line of six nets (through the very extensive reed beds) resulted in 198 + (5). Reed and Sedge Warblers dominated the catch, with 72 + (2) and 101 + (3) respectively, a few Cettis Warbler and Reed Bunting, and a single Whitethroat making up the best of the rest. Llangorse will need several decades of sea level rise, for it to become "coastal" and begin to compete with these daily numbers. The potential at NWR (if more help was available) is clear.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.