Migrants continue to drift into the country prompting another session at Wild Ken Hill. The first observation made was the total lack of Willow Warbler song in stark comparison to the 14th. The birds, in full song, heard on that morning clearly have moved on.
We erected the same nets as on the 14th with the addition of an extra 18m close next to the junction of two hedgerows with reedbed and running water within a couple of metres of the end. This proved a good move with three Cetti's Warbler captured on the first round, one of which appears not be from the site, and may possibly be from Holme NOA, but until the data is in from the BTO we cannot be sure.
The Marsh Harrier's were noticeably spending less time perched up in trees and the male was seen to bring in three food items. The catching appeared to be going well for them.
Our catching efforts of the morning were accompanied by the virtually constant calls of a male Cuckoo that showed much interest in the reedbed. He seemed to be currently single and despite seeing him fly over a couple of nets, he was not captured.
The Blackcaps continue to arrive. Today the ratio was 5 males to 8 females with an increased number of females arriving now, after the initial rush of males heading to the breeding areas to set up and hold territories ahead of the hens.
We also heard several Lesser Whitethroat.
With birds sitting now, there are fewer resident birds flying about so 29 new and 9 retrapped wasn't a bad result.
Totals: 29 (9)
Wren - 1 (1)
Dunnock - 1
Song Thrush - 1
Cetti's Warbler - 1 (2)
Sedge Warbler - 2 (1)
Blackcap - 13
Chiffchaff - 1 (2)
Long-tailed Tit - 3 (1)
Blue Tit - 1 (2)
Great Tit - 3
Bullfinch - 1