Early nest box ringing visits, and CES 3

On Tuesday 16th May, Jerry made a check of the boxes at Cathedine, rb2 and the shelterbelt. All species are a bit behind the "usual dates" and migrant nests at the three sites were seven Pied Flycatcher and two Redstart. Only one of which had hatched (1/2 day old Redstart chicks). The oldest broods that will be ready to ring (within about a week) will be a Nuthatch and a Great Tit. Just a few adults were caught in the boxes - a Pied Flycatcher and 2 + (2) Blue Tit. Most of the Pied Flycatcher are still early in their incubation, with the females slipping off when the male warned of Jerry's approach.

Andy and Jerry completed CES 3 on Monday 22nd May, at the start of a spell of fine weather. After a cold start (4 C at 06.00) it quickly warmed up in the sunshine, and catching was slow, with a CES total of just 6 + (16). This session is traditionally one of our quietest visits - adults are on their breeding territory and have likely been caught on the two previous visits (so are net aware), and bird numbers have not yet been boosted by this year's youngsters. The catch total is marginally below the long term average for visit 3, with only one juvenile bird caught (a Blackbird). The mix was made up of Wren 1 + (2), Robin (1), Dunnock (4), Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 1 + (1), Cettis Warbler (1), Reed Warbler 1, Blackcap (1), Chiffchaff 1 + (1), Blue Tit (2), Great Tit (2), Nuthatch (1), and Bullfinch 1. The session ended with some early broods ringed in the shelterbelt and rb2 nestboxes - Redstart 5p, Blue Tit 12p (2 broods), and Nuthatch 2p (only 2 of the brood surviving).

On Thursday 25th, Andy and Peter checked the Cwm Sorgwm boxes, where two broods of Great Tit were ringed, and some Blue Tit & Pied Flycatcher adults were caught. In total 11p Great Tit, (1) Blue Tit and 3 + (2) Pied Flycatcher (incl a control - details to follow in due course). In the afternoon, a brood of 4p Redstart, and 2p Great Tit were ringed in rb2, making the day total of 17p, and 3 + (3) adult.

On Friday 26th, Jerry ringed some Great Tit broods in our boxes at Cathedine, rb1 and the shelterbelt - 4 broods totaling 14p. Unfortunately the Pied Flycatcher were still flighty (not yet hatched), and only 1 female was caught. Overall the boxes are doing well, with 13 Pied Flycatcher nests across our sites, though most "tit" broods having reduced numbers. Blue Tits are about a week later than the Great Tits this year, so on Wednesday 31st Jerry was back to ring them. Two broods were ringed at Cathedine (with two others still a bit small), plus a late brood of Great Tit at the shelterbelt. Pied Flycatchers have started to hatch in the last few days, and one more female was caught. Total for the day - 9p Blue Tit, 7p Great Tit, and (1) Pied Flycatcher.

118 birds ringed in May (about average for this month), with YTD 227.