We took the chance before the wind got up over the wekend and visited with EP and ABB. Things didn't look too promising to begin with, with few Hirundines around and little luck with the Starlings on the last few tries.
Once the four nets were up CL and EP went to look over the flash, mainly to see if there were any fledged young about. There were some parent Lapwings whose chicks were not seen and a juvenile Little Ringed Plover that took flight as they approached with a second, fairly large chick that hunkered down as they drew closer. The LRP chick was picked up and ringed, but amazingly flew off on being placed back on the ground.
Back at the nets, things were progressing quietly with just a retrapped Wren and a new Reed Warbler.
But by now the Starlings were dropping in and some were approaching low across the lake, giving the added chance of birds catching in the reedbed net. At 9pm we got the first Swallow, L851630, ringed as a 3J in August 2011. We had a few Starlings from the expected catching point with Lottis and a Robin. On going back into the reedbed net we had some more Starlings and a few Swallows too.
Totals: 19 (3)
Little Ringed Plover - 1
Swallow - 3 (1)
Wren - 0 (1)
Robin - 1
Reed Warbler - 1
Long-tailed Tit - 4 (1)
Starling - 9
Once the four nets were up CL and EP went to look over the flash, mainly to see if there were any fledged young about. There were some parent Lapwings whose chicks were not seen and a juvenile Little Ringed Plover that took flight as they approached with a second, fairly large chick that hunkered down as they drew closer. The LRP chick was picked up and ringed, but amazingly flew off on being placed back on the ground.
Back at the nets, things were progressing quietly with just a retrapped Wren and a new Reed Warbler.
But by now the Starlings were dropping in and some were approaching low across the lake, giving the added chance of birds catching in the reedbed net. At 9pm we got the first Swallow, L851630, ringed as a 3J in August 2011. We had a few Starlings from the expected catching point with Lottis and a Robin. On going back into the reedbed net we had some more Starlings and a few Swallows too.
Totals: 19 (3)
Little Ringed Plover - 1
Swallow - 3 (1)
Wren - 0 (1)
Robin - 1
Reed Warbler - 1
Long-tailed Tit - 4 (1)
Starling - 9