October - 2nd half, Blue Tit control and Long-tailed Tit recovery

The forecast for the 3rd week of October was "changeable" with low pressure, but Jerry managed to squeeze a couple of mid afternoon/roost sessions in while high pressure still dominated. On Saturday 17th his catch was 13 + (6), half of which was at the roost. Highlights were another late Blackcap, 5 Redwing and a Siskin. On Sunday a late afternoon start produced a disappointing 5 + (4) birds, including single Siskin and Redwing.

Between these two sessions, Andy had a couple of hours (on Sunday morning) at the Pennorth feeders. His catch of 22 + (2) comprised Robin 1, Coal Tit 2, Blue Tit 5 + (1), Great Tit 2 + (1), Long-tailed Tit 8, House Sparrow 1, Chaffinch 1, Goldfinch 1 and Greenfinch 1.

Thursday 22nd was forecast to be another suitable day, so Jerry managed to fit in a final roost attempt before a new Covid "stay at home" period started. This would mean an end to any more roost attempts before November. Catching remained quiet, with just 8 + (3), but they did include a Redwing, 3 Blackcap (maybe overwintering birds, rather than late leaving migrants), and a Lesser Redpoll.

The species mix for the three garden/roost sessions was Wren (1), Dunnock (1), Robin 3 + (5), Song Thrush 2, Redwing 7, Blackbird 1 + (2), Blackcap 4, Blue Tit 5 + (1), Long-tailed Tit (2), Lesser Redpoll 1, Siskin 2 and Bullfinch 1 + (1).

The weather conditions for the rest of the month were mainly wet and windy, with not too many opportunities to ring. but Andy managed two short spells at the Pennorth feeders when the wind eased. On the afternoon of 27th, he had a small catch of 7 + (2), and on 29th he had a very similar 8 + (1). Both catches were quite varied and the combined numbers were Great-spotted Woodpecker (1), Dunnock 1, Blue Tit 3, Coal Tit 1 + (1), Nuthatch 1, House Sparrow (1), Chaffinch 5, Goldfinch 2 and Greenfinch 1.

Our October total ringed was 150 (although this is our 11th highest October total, 8 have been since 2010, so poor by recent efforts), and our YTD becomes 1978.

Blue Tit ANH2646 was ringed as a juvenile (by Jeremy, during a very quiet session), on 10 September, and was caught at Glasbury, by the Mid-Wales R Gp just 5 days later - 16 kms, 18 degrees. We have only had one other Blue Tit go further, also a juvenile to Cwmbran in 1988 - 17 kms, but are aware of another juvenile (ringed at the Lake just before the Group was formed), that went to Llandovery - 57 kms. We have also controlled two at the Lake from further afield at 53 and 42 kms.

On 26th October, Hugh Martineau & family found a dead Long-tailed Tit at Treberfford, with ring number LPB582. One of three ringed by Jerry on 15 October. It becomes our first ever recovery for this species, at just 11 days.