July 17th, and "1000 up".

Jerry was in rb2 for another RAS session, and had another good catch of 57 + (15), despite sun on the nets from about mid session.  The main species was Reed Warbler, with 34 + (10), but the catch also included the first Sedge for the (rb2) season, and 3 + (1) Garden Warbler.  Although none of the ringed Reed Warbler were "new" for the RAS, they did include a French ringed bird, and with a wing of 69mm, it needed checking for a potential Marsh. Unfortunately the notch (13mm) fell against the secondaries, and the rump, bill and call all confirmed Reed.  Jeremy was in the garden doing CES 8, where it was quiet (apart from Blackbirds), and a catch of 21 + (6), which allowed him time to make a couple of visits to the reed bed. Garden activities (lawn cutting and fruit picking) from about 10am, probably didn't help.  The species mix for the day was - Wren 2 + (1), Robin 2 + (1), Dunnock 2, Song Thrush (1), Blackbird 9 + (1), Willow Warbler 5, Chiffchaff 2, Sedge Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 36 + (10), Blackcap 7, Garden Warbler 4 + (2), Blue Tit 1 + (2), Coal Tit 1, Great Tit 1 + (3), Bullfinch 3, Reed Bunting 2.

At the end of the day, our ringing total was 1013, with the 1000th bird ringed just a few days earlier than in 2016 - 21 July (see previous blog HERE with details of the catch on the 21st HERE).