CES 6/rb2 RAS visit and Reed Warbler/Lesser Redpoll recoveries

There was was a bit of a weather related delay before these visits could happen, firstly by three days of hot/sunny (30 C) conditions, and then a similar spell of wet/windy weather. Right at the end of the CES period (normally Jeremy's first visit), conditions improved on Tuesday 30th June, to a calm/overcast day, for Andy. The lack of sun on the nets boosted the catch (especially for the garden nets), to finish the session on a very respectable 49 + (6), the 4th highest catch and therefore well above the all time average (33.5) and the last 10 year average (41.5) for this session. Highlights were a decent number of (mainly juv) Siskin- several near the gn6/7 drinkers, and the male Spotted Flycatcher from the "Ty bach"  nest (from which chicks now fledged), who had been ringed as an adult back in 2017. The complete species makeup was Wren 2 + (1), Song Thrush 1, Robin 4 + (2), Dunnock 1, Chiffchaff 15, Willow Warbler 1, Garden Warbler 2 + (1), Blackcap 1 + (1), Spotted Flycatcher (1), Treecreeper 2, Nuthatch 1, Goldfinch 1, Siskin 12, Bullfinch 3 and Greenfinch 3.

Another RAS visit was fitted in between some more unsettled weather, but Thursday 2nd July wasn't as forecast. Some light showers kept the reeds wet (inhibiting bird movement), and although not heavy enough to close the nets, did require deployment of the "brolly" to avoid drips. The catching picked up a bit later in the morning, but was only a disappointing 17 + (7), made up of Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Wren 1, Robin 1, Redstart 1 + (1), Willow Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 3, Sedge Warbler (1), Reed Warbler 5 + (4) - but one more for the RAS, Blackcap 1, Blue Tit (1), Treecreeper 2 and Reed Bunting 1. The site is now looking good, after several years of removing willow scrub from the reed bed, by ourselves, and BBNP volunteer groups.

Reed Warbler S932923 was ringed as a juvenile on 31 July 2018 (at the jetty by Andy), and was caught at the Teifi Marshes, Ceredigion on 30 June 2020, female with brood patch - 700 days, 97 km, 282 degrees. We received this report less than 12 hours after the Teifi capture, a very impressive result for the BTO's DemOn data management system.

Lesser Redpoll Z825131 was ringed as an adult male on 03 November 2016 (at the scrub nets by Jerry), and was caught in Mockerkin, Cumbria on 8 May 2020 - 1282 days, 295 km, 359 degrees.