Reed Warbler RAS starts in RB2 and at the jetty.

The 11th year of our re-trapping adults for survival project has started (though we have provided data going back to 2006). On Tuesday 18th, Jerry was ringing in rb2. Although the water level was still high, the recent spell of dry weather had caused it to fall so that the boards were now exposed (and no longer slippery). The wetter spring had limited the vegetation growth and the reeds were lower than usual. Catching was steady, with a session total of 27 + (6), including 4 + (5) Reed Warblers - 4 of the recaptures contributing to the RAS. On Thursday 20th, he was joined by Jeremy and Robin, and they had a catch of 15 + (6) (probably limited by sun on the nets). Most of the recaptures were local breeders that had also been caught on 18th (there are about 5 - 10 pairs of Reed Warbler breeding in close proximity to the net lane). Only one recapture was "new" for the RAS, but the first youngster of the year was also ringed. Over the two sessions the mix of species comprised Blackbird (1), Wren 1 + (1), Chiffchaff 21, Reed Warbler 6 + (9), Great Tit 1, Long-tailed Tit 10, and Treecreeper 3 + (1).

Peter and Alan J set up the jetty on Friday 21st ready for the RAS to start. Following the poor weather forecast the intention wasn't to catch but once the nets were up the weather improved enough to leave the nets up for a roost attempt. The Reeds are still quite low and the top panels were moving quite a bit in the breeze. Their catch was just 5 + (2), but did include (2) Reed Warbler for the RAS and the first Hirundines of the year. On Sunday 23rd, Andy did the first "morning" RAS visit there, and totalled 12 + (4), including another (2) Reed Warbler for the RAS. A bit of a novelty at this site was a juvenile House Sparrow - the dullest within a flock of 10 that appeared to fly across from Lakeside to feed on insects on floating lily pads. The species mix for the two sessions was Swallow 1, Sand Martin 2, Reed Warbler 6 + (4), Willow Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 1, Blue Tit 2 + (1), Treecreeper 1, House Sparrow 1, and Reed Bunting 2 + (1).