More rb2/jetty RAS visits and CES 8

After some overnight rain, Jerry was in rb2 on Wednesday 15th July. The reeds started wet, and remained wet with occasional drizzle through the morning (not enough to need deployment of the "brolly" but just enough to deter birds from moving through the reeds). He had a quiet morning with just 14 + (5), made up of Wren (1), Willow Warbler 1, Sedge Warbler 2, Reed Warbler 7 + (3) - only one more for the RAS, Treecreeper 1, Chaffinch 1 and Reed Bunting 2 + (1). A poor day got worse when Jerry checked if the Redstart chicks from last week had fledged - all had died a couple of days after ringing, presumably because something had happened to the adult(s).

A good turn out on Thursday 16th, but with all three sites in use, social distancing between the various family groups was easy. Andy had a 3 hour go at the jetty and had an ok catch, 14 + (3) made up of Reed Warbler 4 + (3), Wren 2, Chiffchaf 2, Long tailed Tit 3, Blue Tit 2, and Reed Bunting 1. Peter and Alan J were in RB2, they had a similar catch to Andy at the Jetty, finishing with 11 + (8) broken down as: Sedge Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 6 + (5), Chiffchaf 1, Willow Warbler 1 + (1), Blackcap 1, Reed Bunting (1) and Blackbird 1 + (1). The best catch of the day, unsurprisingly, was in the Garden where Jeremy and Robin did the majority of the CES before Jerry arrived to allow Jeremy and Robin to leave a little early. The CES total was 38 + (8) made up of 15 species, broken down as: Wren 3, Chiffchaf 7, Treecreeper 1, Reed Warbler 6, Blackcap 6 + (2), Robin (1), Blue Tit (1), Great Tit (1), Siskin 1, Bullfinch 1 + (3), Greenfinch 1, Dunnock 4, Nuthatch 1, Song Thrush 3, Blackbird 3 + (1). A day total of 63 + (19), so 82 individual birds, was a decent reward for the effort.

In other news, as reported by Andy on Brecknock birds, the three Spotted Flycatcher pairs at our sites have all successfully either fledged or very nearly fledged young. With the two Llangasty pairs either about to build (or already having started) for the second broods. We will be on the lookout for these nests on future visits.

A coulple of particularly vivid TFBs (Tail Fault Bar) on a young Reed Warbler at the lake on the 16th.