Saturday, 12 August 2023

Norfolk Rivers Trust, Baconsthorpe - 12th August 2023

 It's been a month since we last monitored the beaver enclosure at Baconsthorpe and today when we visited, with EGB, we found that the natural rhythms are quickly progressing as most adults are no longer showing signs of breeding condition and are well into the process of renewing plumage. The summer migrants are now drifting off with only 2 Blackcaps and 5 Chiffchaff captured. There was no sight or sound of Willow Warbler, Whitethroat or Lesser Whitethroat either within the enclosure or in the surrounding area.

The tits have now formed into mixed feeding flocks and most youngsters appear to be increasingly independent. The only obvious captures of adult and young together was a small party of Wrens including an adult. Most young are undertaking some degree of post juvenile moult.

Captures of note were a pair of Marsh Tit with, bar for one feather, identical moult codes showing that their moults commenced very close together and a juvenile Kingfisher.

3F Kingfisher

Marsh Tit, moult code  5555555431

Adult Marsh Tit

Total: 34 (1)

Kingfisher - 1
Blackbird - 2
Wren - 6
Dunnock - 1
Blackcap - 2
Chiffchaff - 5
Blue Tit - 9 (1)
Great Tit - 5
Marsh Tit - 2
Treecreeper - 1