23rd September
Today we expected more wind than we've had over the last few days and showers to disturb operations from about ten 'o' clock. The wind wasn't too bad in the morning, although it strengthened in the afternoon - and the forecast of showers came to nothing.
There was a surprise in the bushes nets on the first round as we had thought it too late for the species to be around still, but there he was, a young male Nightjar.
We completed our usual morning session, leaving the Meadow Pipit nets open a little longer while they continued to catch, but there was no possibility of trying for a Starling roost in the evening as the gusts were too strong.
24th September
At setting up time the wind was blowing at 13 metres per second from the NWN, but due to reduce. We dropped all the usual station nets but our Meadow Pipit nets were too exposed so remained furled.
We got a some birds from the nets that were least exposed, with a few recaptures and mainly Blackcaps and Robins. We tried a variety of calls to encourage birds into nets, including Twite, Redpoll, Hawfinch, Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting, but Chiffchaff seemed to be the only one that worked on a net positioned in a sheltered spot.
The wind was still quite strong as the morning progressed so we closed early at 10am. The Barnacle Geese were mostly in the most sheltered area of the lagoon, closest to the observatory.
Meadow Pipit - 0 (1)
Wren - 2 (1)
Robin - 9 (5)
Redstart - 1
Songthrush - 1
Reed Warbler - 3
Blackcap - 10 (2)
Chiffchaff - 10
Goldcrest - 1
Blue Tit - 3 (3)
Bearded Tit - 0 (1)
Reed Bunting - 1 (1)
In the afternoon we headed inland, back to the beech forest where we'd tried for Pygmy Owl. On the way we noticed a collection of raptors near the road. The attraction wasn't clear but there were five Red Kite and nine Buzzard.
At the woods we had hoped to see Black Woodpecker, but had to be content with Nuthatch, Marsh Tit and some other birds of the forest. There were also some interesting fungi.
Today we expected more wind than we've had over the last few days and showers to disturb operations from about ten 'o' clock. The wind wasn't too bad in the morning, although it strengthened in the afternoon - and the forecast of showers came to nothing.
There was a surprise in the bushes nets on the first round as we had thought it too late for the species to be around still, but there he was, a young male Nightjar.
Nightjar, juvenile male
It was a real treat to process the bird in full light for a change!
We completed our usual morning session, leaving the Meadow Pipit nets open a little longer while they continued to catch, but there was no possibility of trying for a Starling roost in the evening as the gusts were too strong.
Total 91 (21)
Nightjar - 1
Meadow Pipit - 24 (3)
Wren - 2 (1)
Dunnock - 4 (2)
Robin - 1 (6)
Redstart - 0 (1)
Sedge Warbler - 1
Reed Warbler - 4
Lesser Whitethroat -1
Garden Warbler - 0 (1)
Blackcap - 21 (1)
Chiffchaff - 12 (2)
Blue Tit - 3 (3)
Bearded Tit - 0 (1)
Reed Bunting - 17
Nightjar - 1
Meadow Pipit - 24 (3)
Wren - 2 (1)
Dunnock - 4 (2)
Robin - 1 (6)
Redstart - 0 (1)
Sedge Warbler - 1
Reed Warbler - 4
Lesser Whitethroat -1
Garden Warbler - 0 (1)
Blackcap - 21 (1)
Chiffchaff - 12 (2)
Blue Tit - 3 (3)
Bearded Tit - 0 (1)
Reed Bunting - 17
24th September
At setting up time the wind was blowing at 13 metres per second from the NWN, but due to reduce. We dropped all the usual station nets but our Meadow Pipit nets were too exposed so remained furled.
We got a some birds from the nets that were least exposed, with a few recaptures and mainly Blackcaps and Robins. We tried a variety of calls to encourage birds into nets, including Twite, Redpoll, Hawfinch, Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting, but Chiffchaff seemed to be the only one that worked on a net positioned in a sheltered spot.
Goldcrest, juvenile male
Barnacle Geese
Total: 41 (14)Meadow Pipit - 0 (1)
Wren - 2 (1)
Robin - 9 (5)
Redstart - 1
Songthrush - 1
Reed Warbler - 3
Blackcap - 10 (2)
Chiffchaff - 10
Goldcrest - 1
Blue Tit - 3 (3)
Bearded Tit - 0 (1)
Reed Bunting - 1 (1)
In the afternoon we headed inland, back to the beech forest where we'd tried for Pygmy Owl. On the way we noticed a collection of raptors near the road. The attraction wasn't clear but there were five Red Kite and nine Buzzard.
Red Kite
Common Buzzard
At the woods we had hoped to see Black Woodpecker, but had to be content with Nuthatch, Marsh Tit and some other birds of the forest. There were also some interesting fungi.
