Late August sessions, and Canada Geese back at Brockhall Quarry.

Visits to the jetty had been a bit scarce in mid August, but Andy was there on Tuesday 27th, for a decent catch of 36 + (4). Late in his session a tit/Chiff flock passed through, though most of the birds went over the nets (a sign that the willows need to be re-cut ready for next year). Early on in the session, two Hobby were also passing just over the top of the nets (feeding on dragonflies in the cool conditions - Migrant Hawkers seen in good numbers in rb2 on 23rd). The species mix for Andy's session was - Reed Warbler 12 + (2), Sedge Warbler 5, Chiffchaff 10, Willow Warbler 1, Long-tailed Tit 1, Blue Tit 7 + (1) and Reed Bunting (1).

Jeremy was back in rb2 on Wednesday, before rain was forecast to arrive at 10am. It was hoped that the approaching front might ground some birds, but the low catch of Monday was repeated. He ended the session on just 11 + (2). Jerry was there on Thursday, and (difficult to believe), had a lower catch than on his last visit. After the overnight rain, a lot of reeds had collapsed across the net lane, and he had caught just 3 birds by 8am, when light rain started (not forecast). He had an early finish (very disappointed), and It looks like this could be the last session of this year in rb2. The mix of the two sessions was Cettis Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 6, Sedge Warbler 4 + (2) and Chiffchaff 3.

On Friday, Carlton was at the jetty, for a quiet session of 13 + (1), although it did include an Aquatic Warbler (full report by Carlton in a separate blog). The remainder of the catch comprised Willow Warbler 3, Chiffchaff 3 and Reed Warbler 6 + (1).

As reported in a recent post, Canada Geese numbers have built up at Brockhall Quarry, and Chris Wells has started to read ring numbers again. Since August 21, he has identified almost 60 different Canada Geese, and a single Greylag, that have been ringed at the Lake (plus a couple of others from elsewhere). This is much earlier than his sightings in 2018, and it looks like the numbers will be at least as impressive as last year. The sightings are made up of birds ringed in 2019 (19), 2018 (8), 2017 (8), 2016 (8), 2015 (7), 2014 (3), 2013 (2), 2011 (2) and 2006 (1).

Who put this barrier across the access to the wood? photo JR