We arrived for a 5.30am start with MRB, ESA, RMA and Margaret. The sky was overcast at first with cooler temperatures than we have been experiencing of late. We put up a triple, a double and four singles then waited to see what turned up. We were aware that we were not seeing many birds flitting between the buddleias but recent reports point to birds already on the move so who knows what might be about.
The first round only yielded seven birds, but catching picked up between 7am and 10am with reasonable numbers of Chiffchaff (including control HCV896) and Blackcap. Two Reed Warblers were rather less expected as was the first Grey Wagtail for the site.
The first Willow Warbler of the year was one of the 10am birds.
The first round only yielded seven birds, but catching picked up between 7am and 10am with reasonable numbers of Chiffchaff (including control HCV896) and Blackcap. Two Reed Warblers were rather less expected as was the first Grey Wagtail for the site.
3J Grey Wagtail
The first Willow Warbler of the year was one of the 10am birds.
Willow Warbler Age 3
Bird activity quietened down as the temperature rose and so we began to take down at 11am.
Other observations included nesting Little Egret, and Clouded Yellow and Painted Lady butterflies.
Other observations included nesting Little Egret, and Clouded Yellow and Painted Lady butterflies.
Total: 48 (8)
Grey Wagtail - 1
Wren -3
Robin -2
Dunnock -1
Blackbird - 0 (2)
Reed Warbler - 2
Blackcap -11 (1)
Garden Warbler - 1
Chiffchaff - 10 (1)
Willow Warbler - 1
Chaffinch -3
Blue Tit - 8 (2)
Great Tit - 3 (1)
Long-tailed Tit - 1 (1)
Treecreeper -1