August week 2 - RB2 and Jetty visits

A couple of visits to rb2, before the unsettled weather arrived. On Saturday 8th, Jerry, in perfect conditions (calm, overcast and dry reeds), had a total of 27 + (2). It included only three "non-migrants), so a decent catch. Adult Sedge Warbler still making up 40% of those caught, coming mainly later in the session. Hoping for a similar catch, Rachel and Jerry were back on Sunday, catching conditions were good, but it was a cold morning (more like the autumn), not the heatwave that was forecast, with few birds seen/heard. After five hours, the catch comprised just five birds.

The species mix for the two sessions, was Wren 2, Redstart (1), Willow Warbler 6, Chiffchaff 4, Blackcap 1, Reed Warbler 6 + (1), Sedge Warbler 12, and Blue Tit 1.

With thunderstorms forecast for much of the rest of the week, attention switched to the jetty, where there is plenty of shelter, and a session can be quickly curtailed if necessary. So on Monday 10th, Andy had a decent catch of 15 + (3), it included few "Acros" but there were two Kingfishers (one a retrap from a recent session there). Jeremy has a better session on Wednesday, with more "Acros" and two more new Kingfishers, making it our best ever year for this species. The previous record (four), was set way back in 1978, the year the Group was formed. He ended on 24 + (1). In between these visits Peter and Jerry (with Ted & Eve) tried a roost on Tuesday evening. Despite thunder and lightning to the west of the Lake, it remained dry, but other activities reduced their catch. When setting the nets, a few locals were already canoeing/swimming off the jetty, but they soon finished, so no real disturbance. However, a couple of hours later, some returned and this accidental disturbance coincided with the first (and only) two birds, of the 200 Swallow/Sand Martin which had been gathering, getting caught. It could have so easily been a decent catch, but the evening ended with just 6 + (2).

The species mix at the jetty was - Kingfisher 3 + (1), Swallow 2, Wren 1, Robin 3, Willow Warbler 4, Chiffchaff 2, Blackcap 4, Reed Warbler 14 + (4), Sedge Warbler 11 and Blue Tit 1.

Two kingfisher

Adult Swallow

Apologies for the pictures, but with their very short tarsi (legs), neither species is recommended to be held in the more usual photographic grip. Finally a video of the two Kingfisher leaving together.