Late June ringing - more RAS visits, CES 6 & 7, and jetty roosts

On Wednesday 18th, Jerry, George and Jake were in rb2, and despite the sunshine on the nets had a reasonably catch of 12 + (10), including 5 Reed Warbler for the RAS, ringed in 2022 and 2023. The mix was Wren 1, Robin (1), Redstart 1, Blackbird (2), Chiffchaff 2, Reed Warbler 4 + (6), Blackcap 4, and Reed Bunting (1).

On Thursday 19th Andy had an earlier start in rb2, but the reeds were still wet from the morning dew, so birds were slow to start moving. His catch of 15 + (2) was made up of Wren 1, Chiffchaff 7, Blackcap 2, Reed Warbler 2 + (2), Blue Tit 2, and Reed Bunting 1. In the evening Peter, Alan J and Andy were at the jetty to set the site up for the season ahead, they also stayed for a Sand Martin roost. Although some 400 birds were present a roost was not successful, but early evening catches can contribute additional data for our Reed Warbler RAS. Total catch for the evening session was 9 + (4) - all useful reed bed species comprising Cettis Warbler 1 + (1), Reed Warbler 5 + (3), Sedge Warbler 1, and Reed Bunting 2. The total day catch was 24 + (6).

On Saturday 21st, Jeremy and Robin were doing CES 6 (Jerry helping from about mid session) for another excellent catch of 49 + (11), our third highest ever total for this CES visit. In contrast to the recent weather, conditions were mainly overcast, so better for ringing. They had a varied mix comprising Dunnock 2, Robin 6, Redstart 1, Blackbird 10 + (1), Cettis Warbler 3 (incl 2 juveniles), Willow Warbler (1), Chiffchaff 10 + (2),Garden Warbler 1 + (2), Blackcap 4, Goldcrest (1), Blue Tit 3, Great Tit 3 + (1), Long-tailed Tit 1 + (1), Treecreeper 1 + (1), Bullfinch 1 + (1), Greenfinch 2, and Reed Bunting 1. In the evening, Peter and Alan J were back at the jetty for another roost attempt - the "pre-roost" catch was Song Thrush (1) and Reed Warbler 1. Unfortunately, despite large numbers of Sand Martin dropped into the nearby reeds, the wind had picked up so they could see the nets moving and no catch. Total for the day was 50 + (12).

The wind had eased on Wednesday 25th and Jerry resumed RAS monitoring in rb2. The conditions couldn't have been better - overcast and calm, and he had a useful catch of 25 + (5). The mix was Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Wren 1 + (1), Robin 5p (nest close to the ringing base), Redstart 1, Chiffchaff 2, Reed Warbler 10 + (4) - one more for the RAS, Blackcap 3, Blue Tit 2, and Marsh Tit 1 (our first of the year).

Jerry was back there on Friday 27th, but he delayed the start because of the overnight rain. The cloud cover was an improvement over sun on the nets, though it was a tad breezy. Catching was slow to start, but then a party of "tits/Chiff" passed through giving a busy couple of hours. The catch of 46 + (10) was made up of Blackbird 1 + (2), Robin (1), Chiffchaff 18, Reed Warbler 2 + (4) - 2 more for the RAS, Goldcrest 1, Blue Tit 14 + (1), Great Tit 4, Long-tailed Tit 4 + (2), Treecreeper 1, and Chaffinch 1.

On Sunday 29th, Andy was back for a RAS session at the jetty, and had a quiet morning with just 8 + (5) made up of Robin 1, Cettis Warbler 1, Chiffchaff (1), Reed Warbler 5 + (3) - all 3 were RAS birds, Blackcap 1 and Reed Bunting (1).

The next day saw Carlton doing CES 7 with the early mist being quickly burnt off for a morning of "wall to wall" sunshine. Given the weather his catch of 23 + (5) was reasonable, but was the second lowest for this session of the last decade. The mix was Wren 2, Robin 1, Blackbird 3 + (1), Dunnock 2, Cettis Warbler (1), Reed Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 2, Blackcap 5, Garden Warbler (1), Blue Tit 1, Chaffinch 2, Goldfinch 1, Greenfinch 1 + (1), Bullfinch (1), and Reed Bunting 2.

Our total ringed in June was 315 and the YTD becomes 671.