Rain stops play!

Today was one of the Group's public demonstration sessions, but despite an early start the rain spoilt the session and prematurely brought it to an end. Nevertheless, 34 birds of 12 species were caught, including a young Whitethroat, nine Sedge Warblers, ten Reed Warblers, one Willow Warbler, two Blackcaps and two Swallows to complete the migrants. Unusually for the Group a juvenile Linnet was caught. Other species were Wrens, Robins, Dunnock, Greenfinch and a Goldfinch.

Warbler numbers still high

Yesterday the Group set nets to monitor the movement of birds over a section of reed and scrub and caught during the morning 124 birds of which 64 were warblers. These included 19 Sedge Warblers, 29 Reed Warblers, eight Blackcaps, four Willow Warblers, three Chiffchaff and one Cetti's Warbler. The latter an adult female was the first Cetti's caught this year when in most years several would have been heard. Unfortunately there was no evidence of breeding this year. Finches also featured in the catch with four Chaffinches, seven Greenfinches, ten Goldfinches and one Bullfinch. Despite few trees adjoining the area a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Treecreeper were included in the total tally. Two juvenile Kingfishers were reluctant to escape before having a photo shoot!

Willow Warbler 

Photogenic juvenile Kingfishers

Juvenile Treecreeper

Juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker
(All photos copyright  Mike Tyler)