Wild Ken Hill - 19th April 2022

 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.

Female Blackcap

We also heard several Lesser Whitethroat.

Lesser Whitethroat, aged 5

With birds sitting now, there are fewer resident birds flying about so 29 new and 9 retrapped wasn't a bad result.

5F Bullfinch, BP1

Other birds seen included Cuckoo, 4 Marsh Harrier, Jack Snipe, Green Woodpecker, Ring Ouzel and Whitethroat. 

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

Wild Ken Hill - 14th April 2022

 The recent fair weather with winds from the south east has brought a flurry of migrant activity as birds make the crossing from mainland Europe to the south and east coast. We worked an area around the old railway line where there are differing habitats, holding species that will reflect the current movements of migrants. Many will be fresh in and most will not have completed their journey to the summer breeding grounds.

One of four Sedge warblers captured. All will need to feed up before moving on. 

Three had completely exhausted their fat reserves and need to feed up before 

travelling any further.

The air was filled with Willow warbler song, but it was only the rather similar Chiffchaff that managed to find our nets. All of these birds showed no preparedness for breeding yet as they have only just arrived.

Chiffchaff

Blackcaps are also starting to filter into the country. At present the majority of arrivals are male. They fly in advance of most females in order to set up and hold territories ready for the arrival of females.

One of 5 male Blackcaps captured.

The resident birds are a little more advanced with their breeding season. Some females have well developed brood patches (feathers drop from the bird's belly that engorges with blood in order to transfer heat from the body of the sitting adult to the eggs). Breeding males have cloacal protuberances or CPs for breeding.

Male Cetti's warbler (with CP). 

Male Reed Bunting (with CP).

This female bird has remained on site all year, although some Marsh harriers leave for the winter and return by April more are remaining now (probably a direct result of global warming). She came and looked at us but accepted our presence away from where they have chosen to nest and continued with the business of hunting and getting on with their breeding season.

 
One of two pairs of Marsh harriers.

We put 5 nets up, using hedgerows and reedbed margins where birds travel through cover and access water.

It's amazing that birds are recaptured on the exact spot year on year. The catch included 4 birds ringed by LP in previous years.

Total: 37 (4)

Wren - 5
Robin - 3
Dunnock - 2
Blackbird - 1
Song Thrush - 1
Cetti's Warbler - 1
Sedge Warbler - 4
Blackcap - 5 (1)
Chiffchaff - 6 (2)
Long-tailed Tit - 1
Blue Tit - 5 (1)
Chaffinch - 2
Reed Bunting - 1