August CES - visits 10, 11 and 12

The final group of CES visits started on Thurs 1st, with Alan L and Ron having a relatively "slow" morning with a catch of just 16 + (4). A bit disappointing after the higher numbers caught in the previous couple of visits, with some resident birds (Blue Tit) having a poor breeding season, and maybe a sign that migrants have started their journeys south. The mix was made up of Blackbird 2, Robin 1 + (3), Sedge Warbler 1, Garden Warbler 2, Chiffchaff 4 + (1), Willow Warbler 3, Long-tailed Tit 1, and Bullfinch 2. Thunderstorms were forecast for late morning, but they were late arriving, and although thunder could be heard over the Beacons, the rain didn't arrive at the Lake until the session had ended and all the equipment had been put away. The heavy rain arrived right in the middle of when some boardwalk repairs were being done by Ron and Jerry about an hour later.

Jerry and Andy completed CES 11 on Monday 12th August, for another "below average" total. The first couple of hours were breezy (following the very strong overnight wind), but it soon became calm and the sun broke through. At about 7.00 and 8.00, there were two very brief showers, but they did not last long enough to disrupt the session. A total of 18 + (6) were caught, made up of Wren 1, Robin 1, Song Thrush 1 + (1), Blackbird 1 + (1), Dunnock (1), Chiffchaff 6, Garden Warbler 1, Blackcap 2, Blue Tit (2), Treecreeper 2, Goldfinch 1, and Bullfinch 2 + (1).

The final session (visit 12) was run by Peter and Alan J on Monday 26th. Most of the session was relatively quiet, but picked up at the times when some cloud cover developed. The catch of 32 + (6) was at the low end of CES 12 totals for the last 10 years. The species mix was made up of Robin 2 + (1), Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 1 + (1), Reed Warbler 1 + (1), Garden Warbler 1, Blackcap 3, Chiffchaff 14 + (1), Goldcrest 3, Blue Tit (1), Nuthatch 1, and Bullfinch 4 + (1). The nets were left up for a short time after the CES had ended, and three further birds were ringed - Robin, Blackbird and Blue Tit. During the 12 sessions this year, a total of 395 captures were made.

The BTO have recently sent us an analysis of our 2023 captures, where our "catching efficiency" for each species is shown against the other 120 or so other sites. The garden/scrub area at the Lake does better than the average for juvenile - Robin, Blackbird, Blackcap and Chiffchaff, and better than average for adult - Wren, Cettis Warbler, Dunnock, Blackbird, Blackcap, Bullfinch and Willow Warbler.