First reed bed taping sessions, and CES 10

On Saturday 1st August, Rachel and Jerry had an early start in rb2, and a reasonably good catch of 41 + (1), incl 24 Sedge Warbler. Although the forecast had been for (albeit small chance) light rain from about 8 am, it stayed dry with just a short light shower at 9. Jerry was back on Monday 3rd (to celebrate his birthday !!), and, in contrast,?? it was a very slow start - the first bird not being caught until 07.05. Catching picked up a bit between 07.30 and 09.00, and again after 10, to end the session on 20 + (2), incl 10 Sedge Warbler (mainly adults, so the main juvenile passage still to come). The reeds were wet, from a heavy dew, which delayed the birds' early movements.

Alan L and Ron also did CES 10 on the Monday, and had a catch of 16 + (7), made up of Wren 1, Robin 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1 + (1), Blackbird 3 + (2), Sedge Warbler (1), Blackcap 2 + (2), Spotted Flycatcher 1 (a 3J, suggesting a 3rd pair in the area, as probably too soon for a second brood to have fledged), Bullfinch 5 + (1) and Reed Bunting 1.

On Tuesday 4th, Andy was the first to use playback at the jetty, and had a catch of 17 + (1). The first bird of the morning was our 3rd Kingfisher for the year, the most we have ever caught in a year is 4 -

in 1978 (the Group's formation year), though we ringed 3 in both 2006 and 2008. Surprisingly, he only caught 1 Sedge Warbler.

Wednesday was a bit breezy, with light rain, so on Thursday 6th, Jeremy was at the jetty for a catch of 17 + (1), while Jerry returned to rb2 for a catch of 17 + (3). Jeremy was all set up about an hour earlier

than Jerry, and his catch (mainly before 8) was dominated by Sedge Warbler, while Jerry's was mainly Reed Warbler (and after 8). The difference showing the influence of the earlier playback at the jetty,

attracting the arriving Sedge Warblers.

A first year Sedge Warbler from the 6th at the Jetty

The two jetty sessions were made up of Kingfisher 1, Robin 1, Willow Warbler 3, Chiffchaff 3,?? Reed Warbler 11 + (1), Sedge Warbler 14, Blue Tit (1) and Chaffinch 1.

The three rb2 sessions were made up of - Wren 3, Song Thrush 1, Robin 1, Redstart 1, Willow Warbler 4, Chiffchaff 2, Reed Warbler 27 + (4), Sedge Warbler 37, Blackcap 2 + (1), and Blue Tit (1)

Highlights for the jetty visits were three (adult) Hobby hawking dragonflies in front of the bird hide, while on Thursday, Jerry had a 2' - 3' long Grass Snake sunning itself on the "dead hedge" adjacent to the

gn6 stile. The (reed bed) target species for August is Sedge Warbler, and the various sessions show that one day's catch, isn't a good indication of what will happen on the following day(s). The main

variable would be the weather (both at the birds' distant departure sites, and at the Lake). This would affect the numbers passing through, and conditions during the morning's ringing session would affect the

proportion of them that are caught.

Below is a video clip of Jeremy's Kingfisher which he caught last week (see here). Our first video on the blog so a bit of a trial run to see if it works.