6th September
A bit of a change today with very little coming from the reed bed. There were no Reed Warblers, but we did catch our first Marsh Warbler. The bird had a 69mm wing with a notch of 9mm. Some other identification criteria are shown below. The new Meadow Pipit nets in the observatory garden worked well, and Blue Tits could be heard from all areas of the site.
It was another beautiful day, warm and bright with a strengthening wind that started mid-morning and just kept blowing. We set for a roost just after 7pm and captured another 28 Yellow Wagtails.
Totals: 108 (6)
Meadow Pipit - 15
Blue-headed Wagtail - 31
White Wagtail - 1
Dunnock - 2
Robin - 9 (1)
Redstart - 5
Sedge Warbler - 1 (1)
Marsh Warbler - 1
Lesser Whitethroat - 2
Whitethroat - 1
Garden Warbler - 5
Blackcap - 24 (2)
Willow Warbler - 1
Chiffchaff - 4
Blue Tit - 2 (2)
Great Tit - 1
Treecreeper - 1
Tree Sparrow - 2
7th September
The forecast for rain overnight didn't happen. There was a thick blanket of cloud covering the sky for as far as the eye can see, with strong winds from the southwest - and another warning for rain at 11am. All the nets were dropped. It was clear after the first couple of rounds that there had not been an influx of birds.
Each round produced no more than a handful of birds and we noted that there was no sign of any Common Redstarts whatsoever. With the catch rate so poor, strong wind and the threat of rain, some nets were closed by 9am. There were a few light spots of rain at about 10am but it never amounted to much and certainly didn't improve the number of birds in the nets.
With a little time on our hands, we spent some time watching the waterfowl and noticed how the bay has more water than the last couple of days. There are no tides here but wind direction influences the amount of sea water driven into the bay.
Many thanks to the two birders who visited and gave us the name of someone at Naturum who has a great deal of local information about birds. He was really helpful. We are also impressed that the centre feeds eagles during the winter, and can get up to 20 birds. It's disappointing that this does not start until half way through October when we will no longer be here.
In the afternoon a large congregation of Swallows were seen on the wires by the access road. We later went down to the reedbed with the intent of setting for a Swallow roost, but no birds were present or came to the audio-lure and we decided they had probably gone to roost very early due to the misty conditions or roosted away from the reserve.
Totals: 36 (5)
Meadow Pipit - 1
White Wagtail - 1
Dunnock - 4
Robin - 2 (1)
Sedge Warbler - 1
Reed Warbler - 1
Marsh Warbler - 1
Lesser Whitethroat - 2
Whitethroat - 3
Garden Warbler - 6 (1)
Blackcap - 10 (1)
Chiffchaff - 2
Blue Tit - 0 (2)
Tree Sparrow - 1
Reed Bunting - 1
A bit of a change today with very little coming from the reed bed. There were no Reed Warblers, but we did catch our first Marsh Warbler. The bird had a 69mm wing with a notch of 9mm. Some other identification criteria are shown below. The new Meadow Pipit nets in the observatory garden worked well, and Blue Tits could be heard from all areas of the site.
Juvenile Marsh Warbler
Different toe/claw ratio to Reed Warbler. Underside of claws white
(just visible above on hind claw). Broader base of bill.
Emargination on P3 comes to P7/8. On Reed Warblers
emargination is usually close to equal with secondaries.
Treecreeper
Totals: 108 (6)
Meadow Pipit - 15
Blue-headed Wagtail - 31
White Wagtail - 1
Dunnock - 2
Robin - 9 (1)
Redstart - 5
Sedge Warbler - 1 (1)
Marsh Warbler - 1
Lesser Whitethroat - 2
Whitethroat - 1
Garden Warbler - 5
Blackcap - 24 (2)
Willow Warbler - 1
Chiffchaff - 4
Blue Tit - 2 (2)
Great Tit - 1
Treecreeper - 1
Tree Sparrow - 2
7th September
The forecast for rain overnight didn't happen. There was a thick blanket of cloud covering the sky for as far as the eye can see, with strong winds from the southwest - and another warning for rain at 11am. All the nets were dropped. It was clear after the first couple of rounds that there had not been an influx of birds.
Each round produced no more than a handful of birds and we noted that there was no sign of any Common Redstarts whatsoever. With the catch rate so poor, strong wind and the threat of rain, some nets were closed by 9am. There were a few light spots of rain at about 10am but it never amounted to much and certainly didn't improve the number of birds in the nets.
With a little time on our hands, we spent some time watching the waterfowl and noticed how the bay has more water than the last couple of days. There are no tides here but wind direction influences the amount of sea water driven into the bay.
Many thanks to the two birders who visited and gave us the name of someone at Naturum who has a great deal of local information about birds. He was really helpful. We are also impressed that the centre feeds eagles during the winter, and can get up to 20 birds. It's disappointing that this does not start until half way through October when we will no longer be here.
In the afternoon a large congregation of Swallows were seen on the wires by the access road. We later went down to the reedbed with the intent of setting for a Swallow roost, but no birds were present or came to the audio-lure and we decided they had probably gone to roost very early due to the misty conditions or roosted away from the reserve.
Totals: 36 (5)
Meadow Pipit - 1
White Wagtail - 1
Dunnock - 4
Robin - 2 (1)
Sedge Warbler - 1
Reed Warbler - 1
Marsh Warbler - 1
Lesser Whitethroat - 2
Whitethroat - 3
Garden Warbler - 6 (1)
Blackcap - 10 (1)
Chiffchaff - 2
Blue Tit - 0 (2)
Tree Sparrow - 1
Reed Bunting - 1
Chiffchaff
One of the few wallpapered ringing huts I've been in. But when you're busy and just glance up, it can make you think there's been an escape..