September week 1

On Wednesday 2nd September, Carlton was at the jetty, and Jerry was in the garden. A full moon was showing at 05.30, but the tapes failed to attract the target species - Sedge Warbler and Blackcap respectively. The jetty total was just 8 + (1), and the garden was better (but slow catching), with 19 + (3). The mix for the day comprised Wren (1), Robin 2, Dunnock (1), Song Thrush 1, Blackcap 2, Reed Warbler 6 + (1), Sedge Warbler 2, Chiffchaff 3 + (1), Willow Warbler 1, Goldcrest 5, Treecreeper 1 and Siskin 4.

After a breezy Thursday, Friday was calm so Andy was in rb2, where he had a catch of 29 + (4) - with about 50% Phyll, 9 Sedge Warbler and 2 Cettis Warbler. Jerry was at the jetty, for a catch of 25 + (3), with Grasshopper Warbler his first bird at 06.10, and a Stonechat later in the session. This is only our 10th ever, following two last year. The day's mix comprised Wren 1, Stonechat 1, Cettis Warbler 1 + (2), Chiffchaff 15 + (1), Willow Warbler 4, Grasshopper Warbler 1, Sedge Warbler 14, Reed Warbler 11 + (3), Blue Tit 2 and Reed Bunting 4 + (1).

On Saturday, Peter had a decent session in the garden, with 23 + (11), though there was a shortage of the target species (Blackcap). The moon was so bright at 05.30 that it was casting a strong shadow! The Siskin flock were in the area and responded well to the tapes. Although catching quickly died off when the wind picked up. On Sunday, George was in rb2 for a very quiet 6 + (3), made up of Cettis Warbler (3), Reed Warbler 4, Sedge Warbler 1 and Chiffchaff 1. The three Cettis were caught over the course of an hour, in the same order that they were ringed, also in the course of an hour, at the end of July. Only one of them having been caught in the intervening period. He decided to pack up at 09.30, and try the garden, but that was equally quiet, with just 6 + (2)

The species mix for the two garden sessions was - Wren 1, Robin 2 + (2), Dunnock (1), Blackbird (1), Sedge Warbler 1, Blackcap 3 + (2), Chiffchaff 8, Goldcrest 3, Blue Tit 1 + (1), Great Tit 1, Treecreeper 1, Bullfinch (6) and Siskin 8.