more mid August ringing

The high pressure (settled weather) continued into the "second half of mid" August allowing more frequent ringing visits than usual. On Wednesday 20th Peter and Alan J tried another roost for 31 birds - Sand Martin 14, Swallow 2, Pied Wagtail 1, Reed Warbler 3, Sedge Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 8, and Willow Warbler 2. Once again the large Hirundine flocks roosted around the nets but as documented in previous blogs, the set up isn't ideal this year and 10s of birds just missed the nets.

The Second Pied Wagtail of the year

The next morning, Andy was at the jetty, and George was in rb2 (with some help from Jerry). Their catches were similar at 43 + (2) and 40 + (7) respectively. During the first hour of so our 2,000th bird of the year was ringed. The combined species totals were Wren 1, Robin 1, Cettis Warbler 2, Grasshopper Warbler 2, Reed Warbler 18 + (5), Sedge Warbler 18 + (2), Chiffchaff 32 + (1) - just a few short of our maximum day catch, Willow Warbler 3 + (1), Blackcap 4. Blue Tit 1. and Reed Bunting 1.

On Friday 22nd, Peter and Alan J were completing our CES monitoring season with visit 12. Their catch of 38 + (10) was our second highest (in the last decade) for this visit, despite a very cold start before full sun on the nets. The total number of captures for all of CES 12 visits was 505 - our highest since 2011 and a reflection of the good breeding season and catching conditions (weather) during the year. After the CES session had finished they played some tape lures (not allowed during CES) for an additional catch of 13 + (3), mainly in a brief spell when some clouds developed. The varied species mix (for the day) was made up of Wren (1), Dunnock 2, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 3 + (1), Robin 4, Redstart 1, Reed Warbler 1 + (1), Garden Warbler 1, Blackcap 10 + (1), Chiffchaff 17 + (3), Willow Warbler 2, Goldcrest 1, Blue Tit 2 + (1), Long-tailed Tit (1), Nuthatch 1, Bullfinch 3 + (4), and Siskin 2.

Redstart at the CES

On Saturday 23rd, it was a chilly start (with a light dew on the reeds) but overcast and calm, and Jerry in back in rb2 for a rather disappointing catch of 21 + (2). It looked to Jerry like most of the "Acro" Warblers had now moved on. The mix was Dunnock 1 + (1), Robin 1, Reed Warbler 7 + (1), Sedge Warbler 7, Chiffchaff 4, and Blue Tit 1.

The next morning, Andy was at the jetty in calm but sunny conditions, for an improved catch of 40 + (5). Although fewer nets are set at the jetty (than in rb2) it has a much larger reed bed catchment area to attract birds. The mix was Cettis Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 13 + (5), Sedge Warbler 6, Blackcap 2, Chiffchaff 14, Willow Warbler 2, and Reed Bunting 2. Plenty of Acro's still around it seems.

On Monday 25th, the local church had an open day with Carlton/Dawn/Jerry running the scrub nets to catch some birds for visitors to get close up views. Conditions started well with some high cloud/a light breeze, and a promising number of birds. But everything changed just before the event was due to start, when the sun came out, the breeze picked up, and the birds "disappeared" - with only one subsequent capture. The total catch was 11 + (2) made up of Blackcap 5 + (2), Garden Warbler 1, and Chiffchaff 5. At least the guide of the church tower, interest in Andy's display of the local Ospreys and the tea/cakes were successful.