September week 3

Peter and Ruth were in the garden on Wednesday 18th. They were greeted with a cold, misty start, which reduced the catch until the mist was burnt off, when the sun came out. Their catch of 15 + (5) comprised- Blackbird 2, Robin 2 + (2), Chiffchaff 1 + (1), , Reed Warbler 1, Blackcap 6 + (1), Goldcrest 2 + (1) and Blue Tit 1. A long (600+mm) Grass Snake skin was found near GN6 - a different individual to the 300mm snake seen (at the same place) by Jerry on 16th.

Jerry was netting on Thursday for a decent catch of Blackcap at first light (the mist was restricted to the water surface), before it slowed down. The catch of 33 was made up of Chiffchaff 2, Blackcap 22, Goldcrest 6, Coal Tit 1, Great Tit 1 and Reed Bunting 1.

Carlton tried a final (before the weather deteriorated) garden session on Friday. It was quiet, and he had an early finish when the breeze picked up, and the nets were in full sun. There was no early mist, so the single Blackcap caught might suggest that the lures were not put on early enough to attract overflying birds at first light. His catch of just seven birds included six Chiffchaff. In the evening, Andy tried the jetty (for the last visit of the season), he had a slightly better catch of 10 birds, made up of Chiffchaff 7, Blue Tit 2 and Long-tailed Tit 1.