All change with playback for October

The forecast for Sunday 1st didn't seem too bad, so Jerry tried the garden nets, with Chiffchaff and Siskin playing.  It was a bit breezy, with occasional drizzle, but the catch was a reasonably 31 + (7) with good variety, incl 10 more Chiffchaff.  The catch included the first Siskin of the autumn (and a Lesser Redpoll), starting what should be a good month for both species.  A number of Hornet (maybe 10) were flying around the hut, and along the net lanes - three ended up caught in the nets, but were successfully released by cutting a couple of strands.

On Tuesday 3rd, Andy and Jerry had another decent catch of 21 + (17), about half of which were the first tit flock of the autumn (need to be careful what you wish for !!).  Only one Lesser Redpoll responded to the tape, but no Siskin.  Yet another Hornet had to be released from gn7.

On Thursday 5th, it was a little bit breezy, and a lot too sunny, and
this was reflected in the catch of 15 + (6).  About half the catch
comprised "tits" and neither of the target Siskin/Redpoll were caught.

The species detail was Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Song Thrush 2, Robin 1 + (1), Dunnock 1 + (1), Blackbird (1), Chiffchaff 16 + (1), Goldcrest 5 + (1), Long-tailed Tit 3 + (6), Coal Tit 1 + (1), Blue Tit 20 + (6), Great Tit 5 + (2), Nuthatch (2), Bullfinch 4 + (8), Chaffinch 1, Siskin 5 and Lesser Redpoll 2.

The wind eventually eased enough on Friday 6th, for Jerry to try for the Goldfinch flock at Ty Mawr meadows.  It was still a little breezy (but mainly overcast), and the flock size had reduced considerably (in the last week) to about 100.  They were ranging widely over the meadow, and only became "interested" in the tapes once during the three hour session.  The single catch of 22 was almost up to the highest number we have ever caught in a day (24).  The remainder of the session also netted Robin 2, Dunnock 1, Wren 3, Goldcrest 2, Long-tailed Tit 5 and Blue Tit 5, so a useful 40 birds in total.

Caeau Ty Mawr meadows, and bushes favoured by Goldfinch