Wraysbury GP - 15th July 2020

The second day in a row with company on a ringing session, this time a young lady with her mum who, due to social distancing measures was only able to observe. We reduced from eight to six nets and still processed over 100 birds. Both mum and daughter enjoyed the morning, but have concerns about the commitment needed to train to ring during 'A' levels, having a horse to care for and exercise, with the prospect of an up and coming gap year potentially followed by university. Whatever the decision, it will be made in full understanding of how much time is required in order to meet the necessary standard to achieve a 'C' permit.

There was nothing too out of the ordinary, a single Reed Warbler was nice, Garden Warblers put in a decent showing with 22 and we expect their numbers to peak soon then begin to drop as they are the first of the Sylvia warblers to be on their way. Blackcap was the leading species with 39 new birds and six retrapped, showing that some are spending a while on site, as the blackberries are now coming into season. Whitethroats were less apparent and only 13 new and 9 recaptured birds were processed. Chiffchaff numbers remain low and there were no Willow Warblers either captured, seen or heard.

Juvenile Whitethroat (stock image)

Total: 92 (20)

Dunnock - 2 (2)

Robin - 2 (2)

Blackbird - 2

Song Thrush - 5

Reed Warbler - 1

Whitethroat - 13 (9)

Garden Warbler - 22

Blackcap - 39 (6) 

Chiffchaff - 2

Blue Tit - 2

Chaffinch - 2

Bullfinch - 0 (1)