Deepdale Farm - 22nd April 2024

 Managed to squeeze 5 hours in before the rain set in. On arrival there was sunshine and birdsong to greet us, but bird activity dropped right down when the clouds came over and the wind freshened.

Captured 17 birds of a good spread of species, just under half were retraps including a Whitethroat ringed as an adult in 2022 and a Chiffchaff from the same year ringed as a 3J. There were some other Chiffs hatched and ringed in 2023, plus our first new Blackcap, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat for this site in 2024.

5M Whitethroat

Lesser Whitethroat, age 4

Total: 9 (8) 

Blackcap - 2
Chiffchaff - 3 (3)
Dunnock - 0 (1)
Lesser Whitethroat - 1
Long-tailed Tit - 0 (2)
Robin - 1 (1)
Whitethroat - 1 (1)
Wren - 1

A farm in North Norfolk - 18th April 2024

 This morning we took advantage of a brief window of opportunity, between the showers and wind gusts, to monitor migrants and resident species, using a small copse at the farm as the breeding season commences.

Despite the chilly temperatures, and this date being within  the second  half of April when the weather might be expected to settle a little, we captured 28 birds with half of these being migrant warblers. Some of the 7 Chiffs and 6 Blackcaps were already showing signs of preparation for breeding. We were particularly pleased with a Lesser Whitethroat. The absence of Whitethroat, either seen or heard, was notable.

Lesser Whitethroat

Female Blackcap with feeding residue on upper mandible 

Among the residents there were plenty of individuals with CP or brood patches coding 2 or 3 so the young will be around in a few short weeks. 

6M Bullfinch

5F Bullfinch

6M Yellowhammer

Total: 26 (2)

Blackbird - 0 (1)
Blackcap - 6
Blue Tit - 2
Bullfinch - 2
Chiffchaff - 7
Dunnock - 2
Goldcrest - 2
Great Tit - 1
Lesser Whitethroat - 1
Robin - 1 (1)
Yellowhammer - 2

Baconsthorpe, Castle Wild Camp - 13th April 2024

 A first session at this site produced a total of 19 birds, including 6 retraps of which two were Chiffchaffs returning for a second year.

Leading species was Chiffchaff with 6 new and the two recaptures, followed by 4 Blackcaps.

Chiffchaff

Total: 13 (6)

Blackbird - 1
Blackcap - 4
Chiffchaff - 6 (2)
Dunnock - 1
Long-tailed Tit - 0 (2)
Wren - 1 (2)