April ringing

Andy kicked off our April ringing on Sunday 6th (on a day when the wind had eased, though it was still sunny). He only put up two of the scrub nets (hoping for Siskin and Lesser Redpoll), while he repaired one of the garden nets. His catch of 7 + (1) was made up of Cettis Warbler (1), Blackcap 1, Willow Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 2, Goldfinch 1, and Reed Bunting 2. A useful start for our CES project which begins at the end of the month.

The recent dry spell was forecast to end on Tuesday 15th, with light overnight rain extending through to mid day before heavier rain arrived. Weather forecasts are getting more problematic if one relies on them for ringing guidance. There was no rain at Llngynidr (nor Abergavenny) by 09.00 so Jerry opted for a couple of hours at Martin's feeders. In the event he managed three hours (10.00 til 13.00) before a light shower arrived. The catch of 23 + (2) was well worth the effort, with species mix of Dunnock 1, Great Tit 1, Goldfinch 6, and Siskin 15 + (2). Only 4 of the Siskin were females (all with early stage brood patches), and the recaptures were ringed a month or so ag0.

On Thursday 17th Peter and Alan J tried a roost with large numbers of Sand Martin now at the Lake. Despite some 500 responding to the tape none were caught, though they did get Reed Warbler (1) and Reed Bunting 1 + (1). They were back on Thursday 24th to try again and this time the catch was even smaller - Chiffchaff 1 and Reed Warbler (1), with the large Sand Martin flock roosting just west of the jetty, just meters from the nets. The Reed Warbler recaptures on these visits were very interesting, both birds ringed at the lake in 2021 and not caught since, despite the more intensive ringing in the reed beds from mid June for our Reed Warbler RAS. Food for thought for future years.

The new CES season started on Sunday 27th. It was suitable ringing weather (before the next period of high pressure was forecast to arrive), so Gareth did the first visit. He had a very good catch of 21 + (25), in fact the second highest CES 1 catch we have ever had (only just short of the 2024 CES 1). A good mix of species - Wren (1), Dunnock 4 + (4), Robin (2), Song Thrush 3, Blackbird 1 + (4), Cettis Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 2 + (6), Willow Warbler 1, Blackcap 2 + (3), Garden Warbler 3 + (1), Goldcrest 1, Blue Tit (1), Great Tit (2), Treecreeper (1), Chaffinch 1, and Goldfinch 2.

Treecreeper

Our total for April was 53 ringed + (31) recaptured. The early quarter of the year is not our busy period, and 53 ringed is our equal second highest total for this month.