mid November, with first visit to the Pennorth bird-crop

Thursday 19th was forecast to be dry and breezy, so Andy and Jerry decided to spend the afternoon clearing the fence-lines of bramble. The breeze was however, much less than predicted, so they put up a net at the feeders for an hour mid afternoon. The catch was just 11 retraps - Dunnock (1), Coal Tit (1), Blue Tit (3) and Great Tit (6). All of the birds were adult (none of the current year's youngsters), indicating what a poor breeding season it has been for "tits", especially Blue Tits. Later in the afternoon, two of the scrub nets were put up for a roost, the catch was a very tangled Wren (1), and Redwing 1. As they were leaving, a Barn Owl screeched from the churchyard.

On Sunday, a team of Andy, Alan J, Peter (& Ted) and Jerry were all set to try the Llangorse bird-crop again, but a horse riding event was already arranged on the farm. Fortunately the breeze was forecast to ease, so it was decided to try the Pennorth crop instead. This year the crop is in a very exposed field, and any wind would likely prohibit a successful catch. The long walk was rewarded with a catch of 47 + (2), and in contrast to other fields (that we have tried), most birds were "self caught", rather than having to be coaxed towards the nets. The main flock comprised c140 Linnet, (but they fed in the middle of the crop, and flew high to the only two large oaks bordering the field. Other finch/bunting species present were c100 Reed Bunting, c20/30 Chaffinch and c10/15 Yellowhammer. After3.5 hours, in sunshine, the catch was made up of Wren 1, Blue Tit 2, Linnet 5, Chaffinch 3, Yellowhammer 3, and Reed Bunting 33 + (2). The retraps had been ringed in the two Lake reed-beds 4 days apart in July 2019. The Reed Bunting catch is a new day max for the Group, previously it was 31, caught at the Llangorse crop on 5th March 2015. Peter sprinting to the net when the record setting Reed Bunting was seen hitting and pocketing was a sight that will live long in the memory of those present! He later commented it was a good job it wasn't a retrap!