Another outing working towards getting enough adult Whitethroats for the RAS. The wind was forecast to drop after a blowy start so we took the unusual decision to start a little later than normal. We put up seven nets and continued until 2pm. We caught a few Whitethroats but only one adult, and a new one at that. With any luck some of the youngsters will be recaptured in the next few years.
The catch included a recaptured Blackbird, ringed in 2011 and also a Jay. There seem to be fewer large birds in the catches nowadays, something we've been especially aware of since having trainees this past year. In spite of being out with us on more than twenty sessions we've not caught any Sparrowhawk, both having done plenty of Thrushes but only one Jay each and a couple of Nightjar each too. They've joined others for larger specialist species - but it's a shame neither was there to do the Jay.
We also discovered that the material put down on the track is very attractive to butterflies, drawing several Holly Blues out of the vegetation.
Totals: 32 (7)
Jay - 1
Blackbird - 0 (1)
Robin - 1
Whitethroat - 12 (5)
Garden Warbler - 8 (1)
Blackcap - 6
Chiffchaff - 1
Blue Tit - 1
Goldfinch - 1
Linnet - 1
Adult Jay in main moult
The catch included a recaptured Blackbird, ringed in 2011 and also a Jay. There seem to be fewer large birds in the catches nowadays, something we've been especially aware of since having trainees this past year. In spite of being out with us on more than twenty sessions we've not caught any Sparrowhawk, both having done plenty of Thrushes but only one Jay each and a couple of Nightjar each too. They've joined others for larger specialist species - but it's a shame neither was there to do the Jay.
We also discovered that the material put down on the track is very attractive to butterflies, drawing several Holly Blues out of the vegetation.
Holly Blue
We finished the session off with attempting to herd a yearling colt back to the correct side of the fence, but it had only just managed to get out and resisted all efforts to guide it back through the gate - so it remains on the wrong side of the fence.
Totals: 32 (7)
Jay - 1
Blackbird - 0 (1)
Robin - 1
Whitethroat - 12 (5)
Garden Warbler - 8 (1)
Blackcap - 6
Chiffchaff - 1
Blue Tit - 1
Goldfinch - 1
Linnet - 1