October at the Lake

The changeable weather continued from last month, which limited the amount of ringing that could be undertaken, with only small catches. On Tuesday 1st Jerry delayed his start to allow the early rain to pass through. His mid morning - mid afternoon session in the scrub produced just 9 + (3) birds - Wren 1, Blackbird (1), Blackcap 2, Chiffchaff 3, Goldcrest 1 + (1), Nuthatch 1, and Bullfinch 1 + (1).

Jeremy had an early start in the garden on Thursday 3rd, but in the cold misty conditions he caught very little until the sun broke through, and it warmed up about mid morning. Jerry took over late morning and the session ended (06.00 - 15.00) with 16 + (4), so not too bad after a disappointing start. The species mix was made up of Wren (3), Dunnock 1, Chiffchaff 6, Blackcap 1, Goldcreast 6 + (1), Blue Tit 1, and Great Tit 1.

On Sunday 13th Andy had a morning scrub session and had a catch of 7 + (3), while Peter and Alan tried a scrub roost for just 2 + (3). The species mix for the day was Robin (5), Song Thrush 2, Goldcrest 2, Blue Tit 1, Siskin 3, and Bullfinch 1 + (1) - the retrap had its ring removed because of scaling of its tarsus. Unfortunately a Redwing (which would have been the first of the year) escaped from the net as it was approached.

Thursday 17th saw Jerry started a morning scrub session, before Jeremy and Robin took over for the afternoon/roost. Most of the 13 + (5) catch was in the afternoon, with details for the day - Robin 1, Dunnock (1), Blackbird 1 + (1), Song Thrush 7, Goldcrest (1), Blue Tit 2, Great Tit 1, Long-tailed Tit (1), Siskin 1, and Bullfinch (1).

Saturday 19th and Jerry started an afternoon session in the scrub but only caught (2) birds before Peter and Alan J arrived later in the afternoon. They also only caught (2) birds, with nothing at the Redwing roost. An evening attempt for Snipe was also unsuccessful, despite some 150+ birds flying into the point field. The day produced just Robin (3) and Great Tit (1).

The end of the month saw high pressure with better conditions for mist netting, but recent low catches had likely reduced enthusiasm so visits were more infrequent. On Monday 21st Carlton started in the scrub late morning and caught 7 + (1), of which a Lesser Redpoll was the best. Jerry arrived early afternoon and put up a short net for a couple of hours at a feeder for 4 + (11), most of the birds were recaptures of Blue Tits that had been ringed in the scrub during the late summer/early autumn. The day's mix was Dunnock 1 + (2), Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest (1), Coal Tit 1, Blue Tit 2 + (7), Great Tit 4 + (2), Nuthatch (1), Treecreeper 1, and Lesser Redpoll 1.

Andy had a mid afternoon start on Tuesday 22nd, but the catching was slow, until the roost approached when it picked up - accounting for over half of the day's total. Details of the 15 + (4) were Wren 1 + (1), Song Thrush 4, Redwing 3 - our first of the winter, Blackbird 1, Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest (1), Blue Tit 3, Great Tit (1), Long-tailed Tit (1), and Bullfinch 2.

On Thursday 24th, it was a bit breezy (with leaves getting blown off the trees), so Jerry opted for a more sheltered hut feeder net. But after 3.5 hours he hadn't caught a single bird (just a few leaves), suggesting it might be squirrels, rather than birds are visiting the feeders.

On Saturday 26th, Jerry started a late morning scrub session in the fog. The sun soon broke through when the catching became hampered by full sun on most of the nets. Peter took over from late afternoon to finish with a roost. Catching was quiet throughout, to end the day with 8 + (3), made up of Wren 1, Robin (1), Song Thrush 1, Redwing 1, Blackbird 1, Cettis Warbler (1), Blue Tit 2, Great Tit 1, Long-tailed Tit (1), and Lesser Redpoll 1.

Andy had a 3 hour session at his garden feeders on Sunday 27th, before the Winter Ringing Project started in November. His 26 + (2) is a big improvement on recent scrub catches. Details of the day were Great Spotted Woodpecker 2, Robin 1, Blue Tit 9 + (2), Great Tit 2, Coal Tit 1, Nuthatch 1, House Sparrow 2, Goldfinch 4, and Greenfinch 4.

Perfect ringing conditions on Tuesday 29th encouraged Jerry to try again at the hut feeders. In 2.5 hours he caught just 4 birds (an improvement on the last visit !!) - Blue Tit (1), Great Tit 2, and Chaffinch 1.

The last session of the month on Friday 31st saw Jerry in the scrub for a late morning start, before Andy took over for a roost. The catch was 7 + (8) (incl a poor roost catch), made up of Robin (2), Blackbird (2), Goldcrest (2), Coal Tit 1, Blue Tit 2, Great Tit (1), Nuthatch (1), Bullfinch 2, Lesser Redpoll 1, and Reed Bunting 1.

During the month we ringed 141 birds (a poor number with around 200 in most recent Octobers), making the YTD 1552.