Second RAS sessions & Goose roundup

On Thursday 21st May, Carlton and Jerry were at the jetty/rb2 respectively, for RAS sessions. It was quite breezy, and mostly sunny, so not good conditions for netting, which was reflected in their small catches, just 4 + (4) and 6 + (4). A brood of Spotted Flycatcher later in the day, brought the species totals to Robin (1), Reed Warbler 5 + (5), Spotted Flycatcher 5p, Blue Tit (2), Treecreeper 2, Chaffinch 1 and Reed Bunting 1 + (1).

On Wednesday (20th) evening, Alan L and Jerry were preparing the goose catching area ready for the roundup on Sunday 24th. A large contingent of visiting ringers and helpers, joined the Group for this annual event. In total, 417 birds were caught, comprising 416 Canada Geese (200 ringed, 200 already with rings, with 16 released unringed) and one Greylag Goose (previously ringed in 2017). In addition, a further c20 Canadas were not rounded up/or escaped, and it is likely that about 15 of them were adults with the creche, and the smaller goslings were not seen. The number of Canada geese using the Lake to moult has declined a bit from the c500/550 of the last few years, but 400 was a much more manageable number.

A total of 36 ringers/helpers were involved in processing the birds, including a large contingent who came from Dorset. Thanks to all who helped but especially the Lake/landowners Anstey Blackham and Clive Jones, and the canoeists - Tony Griffiths & the Aberfan Canoe Club, Pete Slater, Roger Gardner, Tracey Hughes and Richard Garner. Alan Ashman, Bob Webber and Ron Clevely brought the pens over from Chew Valley, Matthew Ashman and Peter Jenkins were in the pen, Sue Parkinson and Ruth Jenkins scribed, Alan Ashman and Bob Webber did the weighing, and Jerry just sort of "looked in charge" and wandered around with a clipboard.

All of the ringed Canada Geese were from the Lake, having been ringed in 2017 (72), 2016 (50), 2015 (29), 2014 (20), 2013 (7), 2011 (10), 2010 (1), 2009 (5), 2007 (4) and 2006 (2). There was no roundup in 2012 because of the algal bloom. Three of the birds from 2017, and one from 2011, were ringed with Radipole rings, and one of the 2006 birds was ringed with a Ron Clevely ring. For comparison, our oldest Canada Goose is just short of 19 years.