mid August ringing

In the middle of another "heat wave" Thursday 14th was forecast to be cloudy, so George and Jerry were taping in rb2. It started out like that but soon became sunny and breezy, and after some light drizzle the Chiffchaff started moving with the session ending on 51 + (9). In the evening Peter and Alan had only 10 birds in a breezy roost session, despite decent hirundine numbers that went off to the north shore. The day total of 61 + (9) was made up of sand Martin 1, Swallow 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 2, Reed Warbler 17 + (3), Sedge Warbler 3, Whitethroat 1 (our first of the year), Chiffchaff 24 + (3), Willow Warbler 8, Goldcrest 1, Long-tailed Tit (1), Blue Tit 2 + (1), and Treecreeper (1).

On Friday 15th Andy was at the jetty for a reasonable catch of 33 + (1) - Wren 1, Cettis Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 10 + (1), Sedge Warbler 11, Willow Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 6, Blackcap 1, and Blue Tit 2.

On Saturday 16th Jerry was in rb2, for an improved catch of 41 + (3) but with reduced variety - Wren (1), Reed Warbler 19 + (1), Sedge Warbler 14, and Chiffchaff 8 + (1).

On Sunday 17th Peter was at the jetty for an increased catch of 54 + (5). Highlights were an adult Grasshopper Warbler in heavy body moult (only two adults previously caught by us), and a juvenile Spotted Flycatcher (few of these caught at the jetty), one of Peter's favourite species and a species which thankfully seems to have been having a bit of a revival around the lake over the last couple of years, even if we aren't catching more of them than of late, we are seeing more pairs breeding in the woods around the lake on top of the "traditional" garden pair or two. The remainder of the catch comprised Wren 1, Blackbird 1, Cettis Warbler (1), Reed Warbler 18 + (4), Sedge Warbler 7, Blackcap 4, Chiffchaff 17, Willow Warbler 3, and Reed Bunting 1.

Peter was as pleased with this Spotted Flycatcher as he was with the Grasshopper Warbler

Only our third Adult Grasshopper Warbler, a Female (like the previous two)

You can see the tail wear on this shot of the Grasshopper Warbler if you zoom in.

On Monday 18th Peter and Alan J tried another roost. Although there were again decent numbers of hirundines present, the catch was just Sand Martin 5 and Swallow 3. The altered net position, due to damage to the Jetty, again looking like it is effecting the catching of Hirundines there this year. The "pre roost" catch of 33 + (2) was better with Reed Warbler 4, Sedge Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 22 + (1), and Willow Warbler 6 + (1). A large (c200) group of Long-tailed Tit/Phyllosc were moving through the wood and and although most followed the wood edge some of the Phyllosc diverted to the willows bordering the net lane (attracted to the Chiffchaff "tape" lure). Due to this, Alan had to do an additional trip back to base to ensure there were enough rings at the Jetty for Jeremy and Robin the following morning!

The next day saw Jeremy/Robin taping at the jetty, and Jerry taping in rb2 with catches of 29 + (2) - including 3 Grasshopper Warblers together, and 50 + (14) respectively. The day total was 79 + (16) - made up of Wren 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 2, Grasshopper Warblers 3, Cettis Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 29 + (10), Sedge Warbler 21 + (2), Chiffchaff 19 + (2), Blackcap 1, and Blue Tit 1 + (2).

Robin and Jeremy's 3 Groppers!