Early July - Jetty ringing starts, and recovery from 2025, CES 7, RAS visits to rb2 continue

On Monday June 29, Peter, Alan J and Jerry prepared the jetty site for ringing, a bit more difficult than usual because of the ongoing works with the bird hide re-thatching and the repairs to the jetty. Peter and Alan stayed on for a roost and a catch of 14 + (3) and spectacular views of the Hobby hunting the Sand Martins. On Friday July 3, Andy completed the first RAS session there for a decent catch of 25 + (4). Peter and Alan J tried another roost on Monday July 6, with the catch of 16 + (4). Andy was back for a morning session on Friday July 10, sun was on the nets and his limited catch was 6 + (3). Finally Peter and Alan J did another evening visit (although it was a bit breezy) on Monday 13th with 8 new birds. The accumulated details for the three roosts/evening sessions was Sparrowhawk 2, Sand Martin 11, Swallow 1, Blackbird 2, Dunnock (2), Cettis Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 12 + (4) - all 4 for the RAS, Sedge Warbler 1, Blackcap 2, Chiffchaff 2, Reed Bunting 4 + (1). Details for the two morning sessions was Song Thrush 1, Dunnock 2, Cettis Warbler (1), Reed Warbler 21 + (5) - 3 for the RAS, Sedge Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 1, Spotted Flycatcher 1, Blue Tit 1, Treecreeper 1, and Reed Bunting 2 + (1).

A recovery from a previous jetty roost session has just been received - Sand Martin 9117470 (FRP) was ringed on 21 August 2023 at Saint-Vigor-D'Ymonville, Saint-Maritime, France, and was caught on 8 July 2025 - 687 days, 372 km, 318 degrees. A region of France were several Llangose ringed birds have been caught.

Also on 10th, Carlton started his CES visit, before being joined by Andy (when he had finished at the jetty). In the hot and sunny conditions the catch was 24 + (2), very similar to the totals for this session in 2025 & 2024, which are all lower than the totals for the previous decade. The main species was Blackbird (mainly recently fledged juveniles), which is having a very good breeding season, despite the dry/hard ground conditions. The species mix was Wren (1), Dunnock 2, Robin 1, Blackbird 11 + (1), Song Thrush 1, Reed Warbler 1, Blackcap 5, Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 1, and Blue Tit 1.

On Friday July 3 Jeremy and Robin returned to rb2. It was very quiet (likely due to sun on the nets and the recent cow damage to the reeds) with a catch of just 7 + (7). Jeremy had an early start on Tuesday July 14, but had to abandon the visit with cows preventing his access to the site. The next day, after avoiding the cows by walking through the alder wood, Jerry had an improved catch of 15 + (2). The species mix for the two visits was Wren (1), Dunnock 1, Robin 1, Blackbird (3), Reed Warbler 10 + (3) - just 1 for the RAS, Sedge Warbler 2, Blackcap 2, Garden Warbler 2, Chiffchaff 1, Blue Tit 1 + (1), and Treecreeper 2 + (1).