Early August - Reed bed tape sessions start, CES 10, and more roosts

With the end of our Reed Warbler RAS sessions, it was time to start monitoring the Acro passage (using tapes) so on Monday 1st, Andy was at the jetty for 41 + (1), and Jerry was in rb2 for 31 + (2). On the same morning, Alan L and Ron completed CES 10 for a poor catch (the 3rd joint lowest for CES 10 of the last 20 years), of just 14 + (3) - the best of which was a Marsh Tit, and ended their session with a brood of Spotted Flycatcher (non CES). The day total ended on 88 + (6) - made up of Wren 5, Blackbird 1, Robin (1), Willow Warbler 2 + (2), Chiffchaff 5, Blackcap 6, Garden Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 46 + (3), Sedge Warbler 14, Goldcrest 1, Spotted Flycatcher 2 (pulli), Blue Tit 1, Marsh Tit 1, Treecreeper 1, and Reed Bunting 2.

On Thursday 4th, Jerry was back in rb2, but the low catch reflected the sunny & breezy conditions. The total of 27 + (5) was made up of Robin 1, Song Thrush 2, Chiffchaff 5, Willow Warbler 1, Blackcap 2, Reed Warbler 11 + (4), Sedge Warbler 3, Treecreeper 1, and Reed Bunting 1 + (1).

Saturday the 6th saw Peter and Alan J return from their family break in Pembrokeshire and went straight to the Jetty for another roost, with a break of over a week in attempts they were concerned the flock may have diminished and although it had they needn't have worried about the catch The pre roost catch was underwhelming and as they were debating why a Sparrowhawk hit and pocketed over the jetty. Peter's second sprint of the year the full length of the net lanes led to the adult female Sparrowhawk being successfully ringed.

The Sand Martin appeared later than usual and although the flock built quickly it only reached c800 birds. From 21:00 at least one Hobby appeared and harassed the flock almost continuously until darkness fell, the only break the Sand Martin got was when the Hobby was doing low passes over the net lane, almost certainly due to the tapes. After about 15 minutes of this Alan and Peter heard a loud whoosh as the Sand Martins came down to reed level at speed and within seconds a large number were caught in the net. The Hobby subsequently hit the net and bounced out multiple times in a handful of seconds as the net was simply to taught with the number of birds that it held. Andy quickly joined Alan and Peter at the Jetty and was treated to 100s of Sand Martin visibly roosting immediately around the jetty and coming out of the reeds to attempt to move closer to the birds in the net. Once the catch was all processed and the totals were Treecreeper 1, Robin 1, Chaffinch 1, Reed Warbler 3, Sand Martin 97, Swallow 2 and Sparrowhawk 1. For a total of 106

With another heat wave forecast, Jerry took the opportunity to visit rb2 before it. On Sunday 7th, he had an early start in rb2 - it was cold (about 5C) with the light mist leaving droplets on the nets. Although the sun was on the nets from 7am it helped to dry out the reeds, and the catching was steady (picking up from 10am when it had really warmed up. The session ended with 38 + (7), with a mix of Wren 2, Blackbird (1), Robin (1), Redstart 1, Chiffchaff 3, Willow Warbler 4, Blackcap 1, Reed Warbler 13 + (3), Sedge Warbler 14, Blue Tit (1), and Reed Bunting (1).

A roost by Peter/Alan J of the evening of 8th saw reduced numbers of (c200) hirundines (still harassed by Sparrowhawk and Hobby), and a catch of just 16 + (1), made up of Swallow 4, Sand Martin 6, Robin (1), Blackbird 1, Chiffchaff 2, Reed Warbler 2, and Sedge Warbler 1.

During the hot weather, early start/early finish visits to the jetty were more conducive than "trudging" down to rb2, with the birds also benefiting from being quickly removed from the nets (which are close to, and in view of, the ringing base). So on Tuesday 9th, Jeremy was there for a decent catch of 22 + (2), with the first birds being "quality" - a Grasshopper Warbler and control Sedge Warbler. On Thursday 11th, Andy was back for a similar catch of 26 + (1), while on Friday 12th, Jerry and Madeleine had a more productive 36 + (2). Like Jeremy's visit, their first bird (at 05.30) was a Grasshopper Warbler. However the reeds soon became covered in dew, and at 11C it was much cooler than recent mornings, so the catching was slow. By 7am the reeds had dried/warmed up, and the catching picked up until it got hot at about 10am. The three jetty sessions (combined) produced Kingfisher 2, Wren 1, Robin 1 + (1), Chiffchaff 14 + (1), Willow Warbler 5, Cettis Warbler 1 + (1), Grasshopper Warbler 2, Reed Warbler 26 + (1), Sedge Warbler 30 + (1), Great Tit 1, and Reed Bunting 1.

The control Sedge Warbler. Details to follow when recieved of it's origin. 

Our Reed bed staple bird. A Reed Warbler

Our first Grasshopper Warbler of the year. 

On Saturday 13th Peter and Alan J were back at the roost, but hirundine numbers were still low (c300) and only a handful were caught. The "pre-roost" catch was better, and included another Sparrowhawk making a session total of 27 + (2). The following morning Jerry continued ringing at the jetty, and also had a catch of 27 + (2). The "overnight" details were Sparrowhawk 1, Sand Martin 1, Swallow 5, Wren 1, Chiffchaff 9, Willow Warbler 5, Blackcap 1, Reed Warbler 18 + (3), Sedge Warbler 12, Blue Tit 1, and Reed Bunting (1). 

With the news of a decent number of Aquatic Warblers being caught in the south of the British Isles over the last few days, including one by our friends at Goldcliff, motivation couldn't be higher!