Early September, and already a record year catch of Chiffchaff

On Thursday 2nd Jerry was in rb2 for a final Acro taping session before he closed down the site. Conditions were good (though a bit breezy at times) but the catching was a bit slow, and the total was 20 + (3). During a bit of a quiet spell, he heard a commotion coming from the nearest net, and turned just in time to see a Buzzard flying away, leaving just a pile of debris in the net. A few years ago this same net safely retained a Buzzard. In the evening Peter and Alan J returned to the jetty for a roost, but the Hobby disruption continued as in their recent attempts, and no hirundines were caught. The "pre-roost" warbler catch was a reasonable 13, and the species mix for the day was made up of Chiffchaff 9 + (1), Willow Warbler 2, Blackcap 1, Reed Warbler 15 + (2), Sedge Warbler 5, and Bullfinch. Our 2000th bird of the year was ringed today. This is much earlier than the last two years - 6th November 2020 (an atypical year because of Covid restrictions), and 17th October 2019.

On Friday 3rd Andy was at the jetty for a good catch of "Acros" - considering the lateness of the reed bed season. His total in just over 4 hrs (in a slightly gusty east wind which the top panels of the nets are exposed to) was 31 + (2) made up of Cettis Warbler 1 + (1) (both moulting juveniles), Willow Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 5, Whitethroat 1, Reed Warbler 13, Sedge Warbler 9, and Blue Tit 1 + (1). The Whitethroat presumably benefiting from BBNP management of the nearby Caeau Ty Mawr Meadows. Disappointingly, a black Mink was seen to visit the jetty, after many years of the species being controlled following the successful re- introduction of Water Vole.

Whitethroat seemed to like Andy this year, with him catching a handful at the Jetty

Saturday 4th had excellent netting conditions and Rachael/Jerry had a decent session in the garden - catching best described as steady, and not too busy. The total of 26 + (10) was made up of Dunnock 1, Robin 4 + (2), Redstart 1, Blackbird 1, Chiffchaff 8 + (5), Blackcap 6 + (1), Garden Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 1, Blue Tit 1, Goldfinch 1, and Bullfinch 1 + (2). Star birds were a fine young male Redstart, and a retrap adult female Bullinch showing extensive leucistic plumage. 

Another Handsome Common Redstart

Leucistic birds are often pretty striking. 

This female was ringed in August 2020 and has been re-caught three times before the current capture. This is the first time than there has been any hint of leucistic plumage, which has developed during its current moult.

A particularly smart looking Robin!

Sunday 5th was a different story for Carlton's garden session, and despite good conditions he had a very poor catch (for this stage of the Blackcap/Chiffchaff migration period) of just 6 + (2), made up of Chiffchaff 4 + (1), Blackcap 1, Goldcrest 1 and Bullfinch (1). There appeared to be very few birds in the scrub area, with just one Chiffchaff heard singing, so not too surprising that the catch was small.

Another roost on the evening of Monday 6th by Peter and Ruth. Although they had "low expectations" with most Sand Martin having departed, there were still decent numbers of Swallow around - lots of parties of 5-20 and max number together built to 50. But with the Hobby playing havoc again (giving spectacular views for over 20 minutes as it performed above the nets just before dusk), only one Sand Martin was caught during the pre-roost, along with Chiffchaff 7, and Reed Warbler 1 + (2).

On Tuesday 7th, Andy was joined by Rachel at the jetty for a decent catch despite early fog (which quickly cleared) and bright sun from 09.00. Their four hour session total was 34 + (3), made up of Cettis Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 8, Garden Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 12, Sedge Warbler 6 + (1), and Blue Tit 6 + (2). Their session saw a new year record for Chiffchaff ringed (see below).

On Wednesday 8th, Jerry had excellent weather for another garden session - no mist, calm and at worst hazy sun. The catching was steady for the whole morning (in contrast to Carlton's visit), ending on 35 + (10) made up of Wren 1, Robin (1), Dunnock (1), Blackbird 1, Chiffchaff 16 + (3), Wood Warbler 1, Blackcap 12 + (1), Garden Warbler 1, Goldcrest 1 + (1), Blue Tit 2, and Bullfinch (3). Star bird was the Wood Warbler, not ringed at the Lake since 2011.

LRG's 28th Wood Warbler.

Chiffchaff have had a really good year, and so far we have ringed 329, with much of the September passage period still to come. Our previous highest year catch was 308 in 2010, when our only previous 100+ month records were set (106 in August, and 112 in September). To illustrate how exceptional this year has already been, and how good a breeding season Chiffchaff must have had, we ringed 210 in August. There are only three complete year totals in our history where we have caught more Chiffchaff than in the month of August this year.

Reed Warbler have also been ringed in good numbers, and we are currently on 583 ringed, our second highest year catch after 604 in 1994 (when Anna/Rob were monitoring for Anna's PhD research). Although we may still catch a few more, it will be touch and go whether we exceed the 1994 total. Although on a different scale, we have ringed 11 Cettis Warbler so far this year, with good numbers of late (2nd brood) juveniles. This is only one less than our record catch of 12 in 2010, and equal to our next highest total in 2019.