It was less windy early on this morning so we had a better chance of birds staying in nets than yesterday! We opened all the nets, and after a rather quiet start things started to improve. Chiffchaffs continue to make up a decent amount of the catch, Reed Buntings have reduced at present and Meadow Pipits are down with the windier conditions.
Totals: 87 (8)
Meadow Pipit - 8 (1)
Wren - 1
Dunnock - 2 (1)
Robin - 8 (3)
Redstart - 0 (1)
Reed Warbler - 2
Blackcap - 17
Chiffchaff - 24 (1)
Blue Tit - 1
Great Tit - 1 (1)
Greenfinch - 2
Lesser Redpoll - 1
Yellowhammer - 1
Reed Bunting - 19
26th September
A light, moderate SSE wind to start, increasing by 11am and cloud. We expected similar to yesterday, opened and waited to see what happened. The Chiffchaff calls worked quite well, but our attempts to attract finches did not work although we could see several small groups passing overhead. Nets were closed for 11am.
In the afternoon we went walking at Sumpafallen. It was a beautiful place, but like all woodlands at this time of year there were only a few birds to be seen.
Our target species were Dipper and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and we saw neither. On returning the Getterons via Varberg we drove in to town just as the Cranes were returning from the fields. Some were at the lagoon edge close to the observatory.
Chris had another try for some Starlings. The flock has swelled considerably and they positively drown out the tape lure when they're all roosting for the night. Current estimate is a minimum of 2000 birds. Chris was disappointed to find birds roosting either side of the net run this morning when we hadn't tried last night. Of course they all left almost vertically and none were captured.
Our last attempt was for owls. We tried Pygmy and Hawk owls as they are now passing through but were unsuccessful again.
Total: 95 (12)
Meadow Pipit - 14 (1)
Wren - 0 (1)
Dunnock - 2 (2)
Robin - 6 (4)
Redstart - 1 (1)
Sedge Warbler - 1
Reed Warbler - 9
Garden Warbler - 1
Blackcap - 19 (1)
Chiffchaff - 22
Willow Warbler - 1
Bearded Tit - 0 (1)
Blue Tit - 0 (1)
Reed Bunting - 19
Juvenile male Yellowhammer
Great Tit, adult male
Greenfinch
Totals: 87 (8)
Meadow Pipit - 8 (1)
Wren - 1
Dunnock - 2 (1)
Robin - 8 (3)
Redstart - 0 (1)
Reed Warbler - 2
Blackcap - 17
Chiffchaff - 24 (1)
Blue Tit - 1
Great Tit - 1 (1)
Greenfinch - 2
Lesser Redpoll - 1
Yellowhammer - 1
Reed Bunting - 19
26th September
A light, moderate SSE wind to start, increasing by 11am and cloud. We expected similar to yesterday, opened and waited to see what happened. The Chiffchaff calls worked quite well, but our attempts to attract finches did not work although we could see several small groups passing overhead. Nets were closed for 11am.
Garden Warbler
Dawn departure of geese.
In the afternoon we went walking at Sumpafallen. It was a beautiful place, but like all woodlands at this time of year there were only a few birds to be seen.
Our target species were Dipper and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and we saw neither. On returning the Getterons via Varberg we drove in to town just as the Cranes were returning from the fields. Some were at the lagoon edge close to the observatory.
Pre-roost activity of Cranes
Chris had another try for some Starlings. The flock has swelled considerably and they positively drown out the tape lure when they're all roosting for the night. Current estimate is a minimum of 2000 birds. Chris was disappointed to find birds roosting either side of the net run this morning when we hadn't tried last night. Of course they all left almost vertically and none were captured.
Our last attempt was for owls. We tried Pygmy and Hawk owls as they are now passing through but were unsuccessful again.
Total: 95 (12)
Meadow Pipit - 14 (1)
Wren - 0 (1)
Dunnock - 2 (2)
Robin - 6 (4)
Redstart - 1 (1)
Sedge Warbler - 1
Reed Warbler - 9
Garden Warbler - 1
Blackcap - 19 (1)
Chiffchaff - 22
Willow Warbler - 1
Bearded Tit - 0 (1)
Blue Tit - 0 (1)
Reed Bunting - 19