Wild Ken Hill - 14th April 2022

 The recent fair weather with winds from the south east has brought a flurry of migrant activity as birds make the crossing from mainland Europe to the south and east coast. We worked an area around the old railway line where there are differing habitats, holding species that will reflect the current movements of migrants. Many will be fresh in and most will not have completed their journey to the summer breeding grounds.

One of four Sedge warblers captured. All will need to feed up before moving on. 

Three had completely exhausted their fat reserves and need to feed up before 

travelling any further.

The air was filled with Willow warbler song, but it was only the rather similar Chiffchaff that managed to find our nets. All of these birds showed no preparedness for breeding yet as they have only just arrived.

Chiffchaff

Blackcaps are also starting to filter into the country. At present the majority of arrivals are male. They fly in advance of most females in order to set up and hold territories ready for the arrival of females.

One of 5 male Blackcaps captured.

The resident birds are a little more advanced with their breeding season. Some females have well developed brood patches (feathers drop from the bird's belly that engorges with blood in order to transfer heat from the body of the sitting adult to the eggs). Breeding males have cloacal protuberances or CPs for breeding.

Male Cetti's warbler (with CP). 

Male Reed Bunting (with CP).

This female bird has remained on site all year, although some Marsh harriers leave for the winter and return by April more are remaining now (probably a direct result of global warming). She came and looked at us but accepted our presence away from where they have chosen to nest and continued with the business of hunting and getting on with their breeding season.

 
One of two pairs of Marsh harriers.

We put 5 nets up, using hedgerows and reedbed margins where birds travel through cover and access water.

It's amazing that birds are recaptured on the exact spot year on year. The catch included 4 birds ringed by LP in previous years.

Total: 37 (4)

Wren - 5
Robin - 3
Dunnock - 2
Blackbird - 1
Song Thrush - 1
Cetti's Warbler - 1
Sedge Warbler - 4
Blackcap - 5 (1)
Chiffchaff - 6 (2)
Long-tailed Tit - 1
Blue Tit - 5 (1)
Chaffinch - 2
Reed Bunting - 1