Saturday, 5 January 2019

Staines Moor - 31st December 2018

On the last day of the year we decided to give the Water Pipits on Staines Moor another try. The weather was good, but we were amazed just how much the flooded pools had shrunk over so few days. Added to that the large flocks of Redwing noticed on the 26th were nowhere to be seen.

We set a full height double by some brambles and two two panel doubles along what remained of the pool that the Water Pipits had favoured when we last visited. There were certainly fewer Water Pipits about, perhaps five in total and most of these were only flying over. We had one decent chance, but once that bird had walked under the net and away from the pool, we knew we weren't likely to catch it.

A flock of 20 or so Redwings came in but all managed to evade the nets. We had to be thankful for the two resident Song Thrushes that were caught and a surprise bonus bird in the form of a Dartford Warbler. The bird was caught in the bottom panel of the nets set for, and with the audio-lure playing Redwing and becomes the first Dartford Warbler captured by the Colne Valley Ringing Group.

3M Dartford Warbler


Totals: 3

Song Thrush - 2
Dartford Warbler - 1