Opportunistic visits in mid August

With frequent rain bands crossing, and thunderstorms always possible, ringing was only really possible at the jetty, where cover is provided, and the nets can be kept under constant surveillance. On Monday 17th, Andy tried an early four hour session, but had to close the nets for an hour, and didn't start catching until after 8am. His total of 12 + (1) comprised Wren 1, Chiffchaff 1, Willow Warbler 2, Reed Warbler 5, Blue Tit 2, Great Tit (1) and Treecreeper 1

On Tuesday evening, a team comprising Alan L, Alan J, Peter and Ron took advantage of the brief weather improvement to try another jetty roost. Early in the evening they caught 3 birds - Wren, Chiffchaff and Goldfinch. Then, just as the Sand Martin numbers were building up, they flew out of sight (which isn't unusual where the view over the lake is a bit restricted), and didn't return. It's assumed that another Hobby attack occurred, which scattered the birds causing them to roost, in smaller groups, elsewhere in the reed beds. Up to five Tawny Owls were heard calling from the edge of the wood, as they were packing up.

On Thursday morning, after more rain had passed through during the early hours, Jeremy was at the jetty, with Rachel/Jerry were in rb2. Both sites were relatively sheltered from a southerly wind, and it was fortunate that it didn't get to the strength forecast. They had very similar catches, dominated by Sedge Warbler - 28 at the jetty (incl a Grasshopper Warbler at 05.30), and 23 + (3) in rb2. The species mix was Cettis Warbler (1), Grasshopper Warbler 1, Willow Warbler 3, Chiffchaff 2 + (1), Sedge Warbler 35 and Reed Warbler 10 + (1). The Cettis was growing its inner secondaries (though not symmetrically), and was presumed to be an adult in moult, but it had been recently ringed, and recaptured as a juvenile bird. Demongin indicates that young birds "sometimes moult S5 and S6 (or even all?)", so a case of an unusual post juvenile moult - shame a picture wasn't taken.

Still pretty dark when the Grasshopper Warbler was processed and ready for release!

Jeremy has caught 28 of the groups 51 Grasshopper warblers. This may in part be a reflection of his effort (number of visits), or his preference for ringing at the jetty (which is closer to Grasshopper Warbler habitat), but is probably more to do with the early hour that he sets up. With 27 of Jeremy's birds being caught between 0510 and 0620, from a total of 38 caught by the Group before 0620.

A retrospective totting up of the birds ringed this year, revealed that our 1000th was ringed at the evening roost on 14th August, a bit later than usual (17th July in 2019, 4th August in 2018).