First "lure" visits to RB2

The 31st of July brought an end to our Reed Warbler RAS season (because of the increasing likelihood of catching birds from somewhere else), which meant we were able to start using "lures" in the reed beds. Early August was forecast to be a spell of good weather (calm, no rain, mainly overcast), so on Thursday 1st, Jeremy had an early (4am) start in RB2. He had a busy "one coffee" morning, and although the species mix was poor (dominated by just two species) it ended on 51 + (12), including the year's first decent catch of 20 Sedge Warbler, and an additional control Sedge Warbler. On Friday, Andy was there for a quieter session (maybe because he only had one player), with 30 + (8), but with a bit more variety. On Saturday, Jerry's turn, which started quiet, and got quieter !!, to end on just 18 + (3) - the best of which was a nice young male Redstart (heard in the wood, before he deployed a "lure" to attract it). Not to be put off by the reducing catches (and a forecast of early light rain), Peter and Alan J tried Sunday morning, despite the rain not materialising and conditions seeming perfect, the start was even slower than for Jerry on Saturday. However things picked up from about 8am and a steady small catch each round through to the end left them with a total of 28 + (10). This was very respectable given the slow start, made the effort more than worth it and matched Andy's total from Friday.

The combined species mix for all of the sessions - Wren 3 + (3), Redstart 2, Robin 1, Blackbird (2), Blue Tit (1), Cettis Warbler (3), Reed Warbler 73 + (22), Sedge Warbler 30 + (1), Chiffchaff 1 + (1), Blackcap 1, Willow Warbler 10, Reed Bunting 6.

A very respectable start to the season with 127 + (33) birds caught over the four days with a preliminary scan through suggesting that 156 different birds were encountered. The first real wave of Sedge Warbler was followed, as is often the case, by a trickle over the next few days. The Reed Warbler catch over the four days was also quite impressive, and if coupled with the last RAS visits on Monday meant 100 Reed Warbler were ringed at the lake in the week.

Britains Largest Dragonfly - the Golden Ringed Dragonfly. One dropped in for a rest at the end of Sundays session.