Late May - CES 3 & 4 plus nest box checks.

CES 3 was completed by Andy/Ron on Sunday 22nd, and the weather conditions were good. The catch of 14 + (15) included the first few juvenile Robin and Long-tailed Tit which boosted the catch. The total was comparable to recent years for this session (the highest catch since 2000 has been 31). One Chaffinch (excluded from the total) was released un-ringed as she has badly scaled tarsi. Jerry arrived later to help with nest-boxes checks (at Cathedine, the shelterbelt and rb2), and an additional 36 pulli/chicks plus 1 + (1) adults (caught at the nest), were added for the day total of 67. The species mix was Woodpigeon 1, Wren (1), Dunnock 1 + (3), Robin 4, Blackbird 2 + (1), Redstart 11p (only just short of our previous day maximum which also comprised broods), Pied Flycatcher 1, Cettis Warbler (1), Blackcap (2), Chiffchaff 2 + (5), Blue Tit 1 + (2) + 7p, Great Tit 13p, Long-tailed Tit 4, and Nuthatch 5p. During the afternoon, Alan L did his usual cut of the paths/net lanes so everything is prepared for CES 4.

On 23rd, Andy's proposed visit to the Cwm Sorgwm boxes had to be postponed, as the CES efforts had exacerbated his recent fall injuries, and the doctor advised some rest. He did however manage short visits to both Cathedine and Cwm Sorgwm (where chicks were ready for ringing) on 24th/25th. On 27th, Jerry tried again to catch the adult Pied Flycatcher at Cathedine and was even less successful than last time, with the females "slipping off" as he approached the boxes. He did ring a brood of Blue Tit in rb2, and the numbers ringed over the three visits comprised Pied Flycatcher 1, Blue Tit 9p, and Great Tit 35p.

CES 4 was undertaken by George/Ron on 29th. Catching conditions were good, and no doubt helped with their catch of 26 + (18). This is our third highest catch for CES 4, and included a Spotted Flycatcher, and a Jay, previously ringed in 2012 - which is a good age, the third oldest recorded in Wales. The species mix was Jay (1), Blackcap 2 + (2), Robin 7 + (3), Dunnock 2 + (2), Blackbird 2, Bullfinch 3 + (1), Wren 3 + (2), Willow Warbler 1 + (2), Chiffchaff 1 + (2), Spotted Flycatcher 1, Treecreeper 1, Reed Bunting 1, Cettis Warbler 1 + (1), Song Thrush 1, Nuthatch (1), Blue Tit (1).  An additional brood of 4 Blue Tit (in the boxes) was also ringed.

Good to see Spotted Flycatchers back again this year.

The Retrap Jay was the 3rd oldest ever recorded in Wales

Nuthatch