Early July - Reed Warbler RAS, roosts and Osprey ringing

Tuesday 1st July was a busy day with Jeremy doing a morning visit to the jetty (catch of 9 + (3) incl 3 RAS birds), George doing a morning visit to rb2 (catch of 36 + (9) incl 1 RAS bird), and Peter/Andy doing a roost (catch of 13 + (1) incl 1 RAS bird). The day's mix was Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Sand Martin 5, Wren 1, Dunnock 1, Robin 1 + (1), Redstart 2, Blackbird 1, Cettis Warbler (1), Chiffchaff 7, Sedge Warbler 4, Reed Warbler 26 + (11), Blackcap 1, Blue Tit 2, Treecreeper 2, and Starling 4 (Peter had to use his own rings on an additional 3 birds).

Jerry and Jake did another rb2 RAS visit on Thursday 3rd, for another decent catch of 27 + (1), while Peter/Alan J had another evening roost at the jetty with an improved catch of 18 + (1). Both visits adding an extra Reed Warbler to the RAS totals (including the year's oldest, having been ringed in 2021). The day's mix was Swallow 1, Sand Martin 15, Blackbird 1, Wren 1, Cettis Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 5, Willow Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 17 + (2), Blue Tit 2, and Chaffinch 1.

A change from reed-bed ringing on Saturday 5th with a team - Andy, Peter and Jerry meeting up with tree climbers Peter Leek/Oliver Field, to ring the Osprey at Talybont. The first time that the pair has bred successfully at the site, not laying eggs in 2024. Two of the three eggs failed to hatch, which is not unusual for first time breeders. The colour ring will help track the bird's movements if it returns to breed in UK in future years. The return of Osprey to breed in the Usk Valley was anticipated some 20/25 years ago when an artificial platform was erected by LRGp in the very same tree. All that remained when these birds chose this tree to breed in was a single strut! However we are proud of our ability (or luck) to select a tree that Ospreys might like to breed in!

9K5 - Will hopefully return and be discovered breeding due to the colour ring

This nest has been protected since its establishment by a newly formed charity. https://www.uskvalleyospreys.org/

The rings used

On Tuesday 8th, Jeremy was in rb2 before Jerry took over late in the morning, and in spite of the sunny/breezy conditions, it was the highest rb2 catch of this year at 42 + (7). The mix comprised Wren 1, Robin (1), Redstart 1, Song Thrush 1, Cettis Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 6, Sedge Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 18 + (6) - unfortunately no adults for the RAS, Blue Tit 6, Long-tailed Tit 1, and Treecreeper 6 (equalling our current day record for the species). Peter/Alan J were back for a roost in the evening and an improved catch of Swallow 3, Sand Martin 30 + (1), incl a French bird. The nets were put up at dusk so there was no "pre catch" of other species. The day total was 75 + (8).

On Wednesday 9th, Andy was doing a RAS visit at the jetty, with reasonable cloud cover and calm conditions his catch was 18 + (3), made up of Reed Warbler 10 + (2) - one for the RAS, Chiffchaff 4 + (1), Blackcap 1, Blue Tit 2, and Reed Bunting 1.

On Thursday 10th, Ron and Jerry were in rb2 for another RAS visit, but sunny/getting hot and a disappointing catch of just 15 + (1), which was made up almost exclusively of juvenile Reed Warbler. The mix was Robin 1, Cettis Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 12 + (1) - another adult for the RAS, and Chiffchaff 1. In the evening Peter and Alan J were back for a roost, but there was a lot of Hobby disturbance and their catch was just 10 birds, again also impacted by a late erection of the nets - Swallow 2, Sand Martin 4, Dunnock 1, Chiffchaff 1, and Reed Warbler 2. The day total was 25 + (1).