Cwm Sorgwm boxes and CES 5

Jerry checked the boxes on Wednesday 9th June, when several broods were ready for ringing - 3 broods of Pied Flycatcher, and singles of Blue Tit & Great Tit. He also managed to catch the adult Pied Flycatchers from 4 of the boxes (7 caught incl one already ringed elsewhere, with Andy having caught the other bird at an earlier visit). Three broods of Pied Flycatcher were just too small to ring, so a follow up visit will be needed, and a brood of Blue Tit was too big to disturb. The total was Pied Flycatcher 19 pulli & 5 + (2) adults, Blue Tit 6 pulli, Great Tit 3 pulli. When back at the Lake another brood of Great Tit (6 pulli) was ringed, a brood of Redstart was too small, and a Pied Flycatcher nest had failed during hatching.

On Sunday 13th Peter did the CES, with help from Alan J & Jerry. It was hot and sunny which (again) reduced the catch due to net visibility and led to a high pollen count which caused Peter no end of trouble! The catch was an average 10 + (9), made up of Blackbird 2, Wren (2), Chiffchaff 5 + (2) - looked like some of two family groups, Blackcap 1 + (3), Reed Warbler (2), Blue Tit 1 and Bullfinch 1. A quick check of rb2, revealed the water level had dropped by 3-4" so only about a half of the boardwalk still under water, with weather forecast not likely to change much, next week should be time to start our Reed Warbler RAS.

The sun and heat didn't help the catch (or Pete's hayfever) but the butterflies loved it. This Speckled Wood was seen defending the GN3 net lane from as early as 6am.

On 15th June, the last remaining summer migrant broods were ringed by Andy at Cathedine (5/5 Redstart) and Cwm Sorgwm (three broods of 6/6 Piefl). 23 pulli in total. All in all, the season has been a bit disappointing but this is probably to be expected with such a cold, dry April, and a very wet May when some of the tit species struggled in boxes. Although our migrant birds, who start a bit later, seem to have fared a bit better - possibly benefiting from the improved weather in early June.