Back in the UK now and arranged to get out, with WA & OCM, in the hope of connecting with one of the many Yellow-browed Warblers currently saturating the country.
Of course, things didn't go to plan as the wind forecast steadily increased from the date that we'd emailed out about the session and that meant no chance of trying for Meadow Pipits on the grassy mound between the lake and the M25. Added to that, it was light quite a bit earlier than expected. We didn't think Van Lennep, Holland is that much further North than Stanwell, but it had certainly been much darker at 6.45am. So, not an ideal start. We had to trim the reeds back as expected and birds were already active before the first four nets were set.
We took a decent first round (in Stanwell reedbed at this time of year terms at any rate), with some Chiffchaffs and a retrapped Cetti's Warbler. After that it got rather slow with 17 birds processed. A couple of rather late Acros were of interest with the Sedge Warbler carrying the most fat ever seen, on this species, at this inland site. We have only seen birds with scores this high at Marazion - birds preparing to make a long hop - so, what was it up to?
Of course, things didn't go to plan as the wind forecast steadily increased from the date that we'd emailed out about the session and that meant no chance of trying for Meadow Pipits on the grassy mound between the lake and the M25. Added to that, it was light quite a bit earlier than expected. We didn't think Van Lennep, Holland is that much further North than Stanwell, but it had certainly been much darker at 6.45am. So, not an ideal start. We had to trim the reeds back as expected and birds were already active before the first four nets were set.
We took a decent first round (in Stanwell reedbed at this time of year terms at any rate), with some Chiffchaffs and a retrapped Cetti's Warbler. After that it got rather slow with 17 birds processed. A couple of rather late Acros were of interest with the Sedge Warbler carrying the most fat ever seen, on this species, at this inland site. We have only seen birds with scores this high at Marazion - birds preparing to make a long hop - so, what was it up to?
Sedge Warbler, aged 3, fat of 7 weighing 14.5g
Reed Warbler, aged 3, fat 3 weighing 11.9g
There were also a couple of Goldcrests, but no YBWs.
3M Goldcrest
Total: 14 (3)
Wren - 1
Dunnock - 1
Robin - 0 (1)
Cetti's Warbler - 0 (1)
Sedge Warbler - 1
Reed Warbler - 1
Blackcap - 1
Chiffchaff - 8
Goldcrest - 1 (1)