Ringing continued during early July, avoiding the heat of the day via short sessions usually in the morning. With areas of shingle close to the two nets, by the time temperatures dropped off in the early evening most birds had already deserted the feeding station.
We ran the water pump to provide running water on the hottest days, a great favorite particularly with tits, finches, Robins and Dunnocks. The resident Blackbird male took to whole scale bathing, defending the water dish and surrounding area during ablutions.
We then had a week away from the 17th when the heatwave was at its worse and left the birds to themselves. By the end of the month despite filled feeders and available water the only birds about were the Blackbirds, Woodpigeon and the odd Robin. We'll have to see what happens next month.
The greatest achievement was probably the number of flat flies collected for Denise Wawman's study. This month I've managed 3 of 3 on a GSW and 5 of 5 on a Song Thrush. It's so much easier in a small glass conservatory than in the open air!
Total: 34 (14)
Great Spotted Woodpecker - 3 (1)
Robin -2
Dunnock - 4 (7)
Blackbird - 2
Song Thrush - 1
Blackcap - 1
Blue Tit - 13
Great Tit - 3 (3)
Chaffinch - 0 (1)
Greenfinch - 4
House Sparrow - 2 (2)