There was virtually no wind this morning, but it was misty and cold. We set up in the reedbed, by the river and on the mound in hope of getting some Meadow Pipits.
We decided to switch from 18m to 12m nets to form the open ended box, thinking that with less space, they may not fly over the nets so easily. Once it was complete, with two 18m nets behind to try for the birds that inevitably wander around outside the box, we went off to check other nets.
There were very few birds in evidence and none of the nets caught particularly well. We did, however, do okay for Chiffchaff, a species that overwinters at this site, and catch four of the few Meadow Pipits that were seen, so perhaps the reduced size mipit box will work well - when there are more Meadow Pipits around to catch.
Meadow Pipit - 4
Robin - 1
Cetti's Warbler - 1
Chiffchaff - 9 (2)
Goldcrest - 5
We decided to switch from 18m to 12m nets to form the open ended box, thinking that with less space, they may not fly over the nets so easily. Once it was complete, with two 18m nets behind to try for the birds that inevitably wander around outside the box, we went off to check other nets.
Chiffchaff
Meadow Pipit nets
Meadow Pipit aged 3
Total: 20 (2)Meadow Pipit - 4
Robin - 1
Cetti's Warbler - 1
Chiffchaff - 9 (2)
Goldcrest - 5