A morning joined by LC to monitor our prime summer site. There were still some summer migrants here, Chiffchaff and Blackcap into double figures and a small numbers of juvenile Whitethroat, Reed and Sedge Warbler still about.
Totals: 45 (8)
Blackcap - 14
Blue Tit - 5 (1)
Chiffchaff - 12
Dunnock - 1 (2)
Reed Warbler - 2 (3)
Reed Bunting - 3
Robin - 2 (1)
Sedge Warbler - 3
Whitethroat - 2 (1)
Wren - 2
It was too windy for the ringing demo on Wednesday, so CL and myself went along to complete the usual monitoring today. We only got 33 birds as the summer migrant species all seem to be well on their way to departing for warmer climes, only 3 Chiffs, 2 Blacas and a Reed Warbler captured.
We got another Marsh Tit for the darvic marked sample and the most interesting aspect of the day was a further 4 Kingfisher captures, two new and two re-trapped, one that had been ringed at Pensthorpe on 26th July. All were juveniles. This takes our Kingfisher total to 10 for the year, 8 of them from Sculthorpe.
Totals: 27 (6)
Blackcap - 2
Blue Tit - 6 (2)
Bullfinch - 3
Cetti's Warbler - 1
Chiffchaff - 3
Kingfisher - 2 (2)
Reed Warbler - 1
Robin - 2 (1)
Marsh Tit - 1 (1)
Wren - 6
Rather blowy and very, very quiet today. Only 10 birds processed.
Total: 9 (1)
Blackcap - 1
Blue Tit - 1
Coal Tit - 2
Dunnock - 1
Great Tit - 0 (1)
Robin - 2
Whitethroat - 2
It wasn't a particularly high tide today, but sufficient to get some of the terns and gulls close enough for colour rings to be read. The Black-tailed Godwits were also on the pits so, although there were plenty that we couldn't get the codes or full combinations for we also recorded quite a few birds from other projects, and also found YN(2144) one of our own Med Gull juveniles from Scolt Head just along the coast.
A total of 52 birds processed at the lagoons today. Adult migrant species are very thin on the ground now. Only one adult Reed Warbler with any other adults being resident birds.
Some notable singles today, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher and Wood Pigeon in addition to a Robin. Leading species of the day, Blackcap. Team of CL & DKL.
An evening spent in pursuit of Stonechats. We did quite well, marking 5 with darvics and even captured a juvenile Nightjar.
The first Stonechat was very interesting with dark feathers in the axillary pit.
A juvenile female Nightjar rounded the evening off nicely.
Discovery day at Sculthorpe Moor, the second of four being held every Wednesday throughout August.
We were concerned about the heat and began taking nets in very open areas down from 10:30am to avoid birds being in nets for too long as the heat intensity increased.
That didn't stop us catching plenty of birds to show the children, and their fascinated adults. Three Kingfishers on the day was most definitely an unexpected bonus.
Total:51 (5)
Blackcap - 4 (1)
Blue Tit - 3
Chiffchaff - 8 (1)
Great Tit - 4
Kingfisher - 3
Marsh Tit - 1 (1)
Reed Warbler - 19 (2)
Sedge Warbler - 4
Whitethroat - 1
Wren - 4
