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)

Good juvenile warbler movement

The Group this morning were fortunate to catch 128 birds of which the majority were juveniles. Of the total included 26 Reed Warblers, nine Sedge Warblers and a Stonechat. Others of interest included 30 Blue Tits, 13 Great Tits, ten Goldfinches, three Reed Buntings, 11 Blackcaps, two Treecreepers and one Kingfisher.

The Group's ten year report incorporating the report for 2017 is now available.

Juv Stonechat

Juv Reed Warbler

Adult Reed Warbler

Juv Sedge Warbler

Female Kingfisher

Photographs Copyright Brendan Sheils  

Good juvenile catch

Today the Group started very early to take advantage before the sun created too hot conditions to mist net birds. Even finishing early 74 birds were caught of which 56 were juveniles. Blackcaps, Reed Warblers, Blue Tits and Great Tits were high on that list.

Session cancelled

Please note the ringing session for Saturday 16th June is cancelled due to rain and wind forecast in the morning.

Signs of a good Reed Warbler breeding season

This morning a small team from the Group took advantage of the tides of the River Axe  to set a few nets in the reeds close to the Seaton Tramway. Expecting a low number of birds the team were surprised to catch 23 of which 20 were Reed Warblers with one each of a Reed Bunting, Blackbird and Blue Tit.

Many juveniles now to be found

Breeding is well underway with the majority of the 57 birds caught today being juveniles. Four were Kestrel pulli which was a nice surprise and good experience for the trainee ringer present. This brood was one of two on the Wetlands and so far not subject to predation. The other birds comprised of 14 species including Reed Warblers, and a female Whitethroat with a brood patch. The area worked was not in the busy public area.

Miriam with one of the Kestrel chicks

Photograph by Lesley Clarke