March/April ringing

Although the Winter CES period had ended, Andy decided to fit in one more ringing session at his feeders before another spell of cold weather arrived. On Monday 2nd, he had a modest catch of 18 + (9), made up of Blue Tit 10 + (7), Great Tit 3 + (2), Goldfinch 1, Siskin 1, and Greenfinch 3. March has generally been a problematic month with limited (weather related) ringing opportunities, and as this was the only session for the month, our total is well below our recent March totals.

Saturday 8th April and a calm spring morning, so Andy tried just two of the scrub nets for early migrants. As expected, It wasn't a busy session and he had plenty of time to tidy up the other net lanes ready for our CES season. He finished on 5 + (7) after 4 hrs and the catch included some useful returnee warblers. Details were Wren (3), Cettis Warbler (1) probably the territorial male from the "back ditch, Willow Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 3 + (2), Blackcap (1), and Lesser Redpoll 1. There were no more scrub ringing attempts during the month, so that the first CES catch wouldn't be impacted by the disturbance. During the last 20 years, no ringing took place in April seven times, and in two years total has been lower that this catch.

Probably the last bit of ringing for the month (on 23rd) before CES starts, was a brood of four Blackbird nesting at the ringing hut, unfortunately a Song Thrush nest nearby (but not as well hidden) had its eggs taken.