It had been over a month since we ringed at Stanwell, so when the weather forecast indicated no rain and little wind, there could be no other choice. We decided to try for Pipits and knowing that they are never much in evidence, at Stanwell, until later in the morning, we agreed on a late start. We put up two boxes for Pipits, one on the wet grassy area near the pool and another on the soil area that had become extremely claggy following a lot of rain on the previous day. There was also a double by the pool and a single net by the track.
On finishing setting up the nets we returned to the car to find the rear nearside tyre flat. Despite the setback, we decided to go on the first full round of the day. It semed pretty unpromising as there was still no sign of any Snipe and only one or two Meadow Pipits about. As we approached the box combination on the grassy area, two Water Pipits were walking about between the nets. As we approached one flew above the net but the other went into the second panel. This was our star bird and the second to be captured at Stanwell. The first was in 2010.
Water Pipit age 3
It was a day that was definitely quality over quantity with only nine
other birds caught. Six were Meadow Pipit, one being a retrap from March
18th.
Totals: 9 (1)
Meadow Pipit - 5 (1)
Water Pipit - 1
Wren - 1
Robin - 2