It was rather windier today than forecast, but not a problem due to the sheltered nature of this site. We just put five nets up, not wanting to finish too late when Chris needed to work in the afternoon. One of the nets was the first of a new shipment and we were really quite pleased with the final product. It was worth working with the supplier to raise the standard, although we still have a couple of improvements that could be made, but at £35.00 for an 18 metre net you couldn't ask for much more.
Chris also did yet more maintenance as, again, some fixed ties had been removed during our recent absence.
It was quiet early on, but we did get a second Cetti's Warbler for the year, then Redwings were drawn to the tape lure (Latvian recording) later in the morning. There were rather a lot of small birds, Long-tailed Tit being most numerous, and about a quarter came out of the new net!
Amongst the Chiffchaffs were birds carrying fat scores of three or four, presumably still moving south for the winter, but two had no fat at all. Chiffchaffs have regularly overwintered at this site for a few years now and the birds can usually be see along the banks of the river at the opposite end of the lake.
Total: 28 (4)
Dunnock - 1
Redwing - 2
Cetti's Warbler - 1
Chiffchaff - 7
Goldcrest - 6 (1)
Long-tailed Tit - 11 (3)
Chris also did yet more maintenance as, again, some fixed ties had been removed during our recent absence.
3F Cetti's Warbler
Redwing, aged 3
Amongst the Chiffchaffs were birds carrying fat scores of three or four, presumably still moving south for the winter, but two had no fat at all. Chiffchaffs have regularly overwintered at this site for a few years now and the birds can usually be see along the banks of the river at the opposite end of the lake.
Total: 28 (4)
Dunnock - 1
Redwing - 2
Cetti's Warbler - 1
Chiffchaff - 7
Goldcrest - 6 (1)
Long-tailed Tit - 11 (3)