Wednesday, 23 August 2023

Aquatic Warbler project, Frossay, Loire valley, Massereau site - 21st & 22nd August 2023

 A busy day on the 21st with 264 captures, four of which were Aquatic Warbler.

Juvenile (1a) Aquatic Warbler

There were some firsts for the station this season, Common Sandpiper and Pied Flycatcher.

Common Sandpiper (handled within regulations of the French ringing 
scheme, advice within the UK is not to hold by the legs)

Male and female Pied Flycatcher. (There was some concern, on viewing 
photos after release, that the female bird may not actually be Pied and 
enquiries are underway to see if a species change is in order.)

One of the few Redstarts passing through the station.

Fewer birds on the 22nd with 194. Only one Aquatic Warbler, but there were a few Savi's and Grasshopper Warbler, also Great Reed Warbler and some Whinchat and four Wryneck. 

Great Reed Warbler juvenile

Grasshopper Warbler 1st year

Bluethroat, juvenile female

1a/age 3 Kingfisher male

Bird of the day had to be a Wryneck control carrying a ring from the Czech scheme that was red adonised aluminium. This bird has traveled quite a way west from the point where ringed.


Adult Wryneck ringed in Czech Republic. 

At this station data is entered straight onto access sheets. Totals appear on 
 of completing the session and full details for each day is available there.

In the evening a small Swallow roost was undertaken with only around 50 birds being processed.