August week 4, and more daily coverage

On Sunday 22nd, Peter, Alan J and Ruth were doing the final CES of the year, catching was steady to become our second highest catch for CES 12 since 1999. Most of the CES catches this year have been only modest, and their catch of 33 + (12) was also the highest of 2021. After the CES period ended, some nets were kept open for an hour or so with Chiffchaff song playing, and a further 5 + (2) birds were added to the day total. The mix (for the day) was Dunnock 1, Robin 2, Redstart 1, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 1, Chiffchaff 15 + (12), Willow Warbler 3, Blackcap 4 + (1), Garden Warbler 2, Reed Warbler 1 + (1), Goldcrest 1, Long-tailed Tit 1, Treecreeper 2, and Bullfinch 2. Jerry arrived about mid session to do some trimming along the lanes (during net rounds), and also some work along the boardwalk. In the evening, Andy had a short session at his garden feeders for Blue Tit 7 and Great Tit 4. The very low numbers of any "tits" being ringed at our other sites just going to emphasize how poor their breeding season was.

On Monday 23rd, George was in rb2, but it was a misty morning and the reeds were quite wet, consequently the catching was slow. Under the circumstances he ended on a respectable 23 + (2), incl another recently fledged juvenile Cettis Warbler. In the evening he was joined by Peter and Alan J for another roost. Swallow numbers had built up well (over 150), and seemed to be very interested in the tapes from quite early on. There was also a similar number of Sand Martin, and although less visible were also interested in the tapes. Two Hobby continued to harass them and it was interesting to see the slightly different evasive behaviour of the two species. The pre-roost catch comprised 6 + (1) warblers, and the roost just 10 birds. The species mix for the day was Sand Martin 3, Swallow 7, Chiffchaff 8 + (1), Willow Warbler 1, Cettis Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 10 + (2), Sedge Warbler 8, and Reed Bunting 1. A couple of groups of visitors (total 16 people) arrived at the hide and were treated to an unexpected, but very welcome, ringing demo.

On Tuesday 24th, Jerry was at the jetty, for a catch of 16 + (1), while George was back in rb2 for 25 + (5). The reeds were wet from a heavy dew, and it was quite a chilly start, accounting for the slow catching at both sites. The mix for the day was Wren 2, Chiffchaff 8 + (2), Willow Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 18 + (2), Sedge Warbler 10 + (2), and Reed Bunting 2. At the jetty, a Water Rail ran into, and then out of, the net, a Stoat ran across the track (as it has on most recent sessions), and a Grey Squirrel jumped off the jetty into the Lake. It swam into the reeds but 10 mins later ran back along the track towards the wood. Two Red Kite were over the recently cut rb2 fields looking for an easy meal.

The overnight breeze ensured the reeds were reasonably dry for Wednesday 25th, so Andy (jetty) and Jerry (rb2) were hoping for improved catches, but they were similar to Tuesday's. With less shelter at the jetty, the top panels were billowing early on (and Andy considered packing up), but it then calmed a bit and the catching improved. The two sites had almost identical catches of 21 + (4) at the jetty, and 21 + (3) in rb2. The species day totals were Robin 1, Cettis Warbler 1 (another recent fledgling, this time at the jetty), Chiffchaff 11, Willow Warbler 4, Blackcap 1, Reed Warbler 21 + (7), and Sedge Warbler 3.

Jerry noticed a 30/40 strong Goldfinch flock looking like they were drinking in the vegetable garden (some rain puddles on the black plastic), so on Thursday 26th, he tried for a few hours (with a low net), while doing some vegetation clearance along the audio cable. He only had a modest catch (before the sun came out) of 6 + (1), with only two of the "target" species. In the evening Peter, Alan J and Ruth were "roosting" again, but their delayed arrival probably reduced the "pre-roost" catch. There were good numbers of Sand Martin about, plus a Hobby, early on and the birds seemed "panicked" all evening. The evening ended on 5 + (1), and the day's catch comprised Sand Martin 2, Wren (1), Dunnock 1, Willow Warbler 4, Chiffchaff 2 + (1), and Goldfinch 2.

Friday 27th and Jeremy was making his weekly visit to the jetty, and Jerry was back in rb2. Mist was starting to form at 05.30 and didn't really clear until 09.00, so it was cold and wet, with the trees dripping onto the rb2 ringing table - not enough to need the umbrella, but enough to make it a miserable few hours. Despite the conditions, the effort was well worth it, with a Grasshopper Warbler (an early bird at the jetty at 05.45), equalling our best day catch of Cettis Warbler (all recent fledglings - 1 at the jetty & 2 at rb2), and a control Reed Warbler (at rb2). The totals were 19 + (1) at the jetty, and 22 + (8) at rb2, made up of Great-spotted Woodpecker 1, Robin 1, Cettis Warbler 3, Chiffchaff 8, Willow Warbler 3 + (1), Blackcap 1, Grasshopper Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 13 + (4), Sedge Warbler 7 + (2), Blue Tit 2 + (1), Treecreeper (1), and Reed Bunting 1.

One of three Cettis Warblers for the day

Grasshopper Warbler are very much a Jeremy speciality at Llangorse with his numbers (29 of 55 now caught at the lake) reflecting his "earlier than most" starts.