CES 6 and RAS visits to rb2/jetty

Despite the sunny conditions, and recent poor catches reduced by sun on the nets, Jeremy did CES 6 on Wednesday 27th June. The catch was better than expected, at 23 + (5), most were caught in the first half of the session, and included the first real batch of juveniles for the year. An early morning fox moved away from the netting area (as he was setting the nets), and the fine weather brought out lots of butterflies and damselflies. Our watering points had dried out, so they were re-filled - which may help attract more birds if the high pressure system persists. The species mix comprised Wren 2, Redstart (1), Robin 2 + (2), Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 1, Cettis Warbler 2 + (2), Blackcap 4, Chiffchaff 3, Spotted Flycatcher 1, Long-tailed Tit 2, Treecreeper 1 and Greenfinch 1.

Highlights were the Redstart (ringed as a chick at Cathedine), the family group of Cettis Warblers (the two young had only recently fledged, so were released near their nest area), and the Spotted Flycatcher (one of the pair at the hut didn't have a ring last week). In addition, a Common Spotted Orchid was in net lane 7, something for others to avoid treading on.

Friday 29th was forecast to be cloudy until mid morning (the first cloud for a while), but it was too high and too thin to have any real effect on the sunshine. So Carlton was at the jetty, and Jerry/Kim were in rb2. Both catches were "sun affected" with 12 + (3) and 4 + (8) respectively, but a few more adult Reed Warbler for our RAS. The first real batch of juvenile Reed Warblers, and the year's first Sedge Warbler (both at the jetty were caught). The species mix was Song Thrush 1 + (1), Blackbird 1, Reed Warbler 12 + (7), Sedge Warbler 1, Blue Tit (1), Treecreeper 1 and Reed Bunting (2).

A new Spotted Flycatcher!

Offspring of our "old man" Cettis Warbler?