With neither of the regular trainers available for Wraysbury this weekend, we agreed to do a supplementary session on C6 (since we have insufficient kit to put nets up in all the usual places on C4, the usual CES site). Happily it was not a CES Saturday as there were only two takers, ESA & RMA (who were up for a second early start in a row). The site had recovered considerably since the ponies were confined behind a new fence and in addition to lots of brambles for warblers, there are also a lot of teasels and weedy plants that look good for finches later in the year.
A total of nine nets were erected, four doubles and a single, and we began to catch immediately. The birds kept us very busy up until 9am, then the catching rate reduced to a more sedate pace. Leading species was Whitethroat, 30 new and one retrapped bird with Blackcap a close second with 29 new and one retrap. Of particular interest were three Sedge Warblers, all adult birds. The low number of Chiffchaff was purely down to the chosen location of nets.
A Mink was seen on two separate ocassions by two different members of the team but posed no problems today. In excess of 100 birds were processed by 11am before we packed up, in advance of the hottest part of the day, and were off site by 11.40am.
Total: 104 (4)
A total of nine nets were erected, four doubles and a single, and we began to catch immediately. The birds kept us very busy up until 9am, then the catching rate reduced to a more sedate pace. Leading species was Whitethroat, 30 new and one retrapped bird with Blackcap a close second with 29 new and one retrap. Of particular interest were three Sedge Warblers, all adult birds. The low number of Chiffchaff was purely down to the chosen location of nets.
Adult Whitethroat in main moult.
5(to 2) 4(to 1) 3(to1) 1 (to1) 0 (to 5)
Total: 104 (4)
Robin -6 (1)
Dunnock -3
Blackbird - 3 (1)
Sedge Warbler - (3)
Whitethroat - 30 (1)
Blackcap -29 (1)
Garden Warbler - 11
Chiffchaff - 5
Willow Warbler - 2
Blue Tit - 8
Great Tit - 1