And even more birds!

Another splendid catch today with 83 birds. These were:

Great Tit 11(2); Reed Bunting 2; Blackbird 1; Goldfinch 12; Blue Tit 14(5); Reed Warbler 11(2); Chaffinch 6; Kingfisher 2(1); Meadow Pipit 1; Chiffchaff 7; Blackcap 2; Cetti's Warbler 1; Greenfinch 7; Dunnock 1; Great Spotted Woodpecker 1; Sedge Warbler 1; Treecreeper 1; Robin (1); Coal Tit 1.

An excellent achievement for all those present.

Another record!

The last session was very fruitful with over 90 birds caught and processed, but yet today proved even better. The Group have exceeded the 100 total mark with 107 birds of 17 species.  Only 21 were retraps from previous sessions; species trapped included:

Kingfisher 1; Blackbird 7; Blue Tit 15; Great Tit 17; Sedge Warbler 8; Reed Warbler 5; Greenfinch 20; Cetti's warbler 3; Long-tailed Tit 1; Chiffchaff 7; Robin 8; Wren 1; Blackcap 2; Goldfinch 6; Chaffinch 4; Treecreeper 1 Wood Pigeon 1.

The three Cetti's Warblers were juveniles, which is assumed bred on the Wetlands. Certainly a female with a brood patch had been caught earlier. This is good news as there have been no reports of breeding for a few years.

Hopefully the rest of the summer and autumn will continue with good and varied catches.

Yet another bumper catch!

The previous mist netting session was considered to be a very good catch and to exceed 86 birds in a morning session was not in anyone's thoughts, but and breaking this year's record was achieved yesterday with 92 birds caught and processed.  Many young Goldfinches and Greenfinches as well as Blackcaps. Chiffchaffs and Reed Warblers were in reasonable numbers and the old favourite Kingfisher was also in the totals. Always a good crowd puller!

The total of 16 species comprised as follows:

Reed Warbler 8; Robin 5; Wren 2; Greenfinch 8; Blue Tit 11; Blackcap 6; Great Tit 9; Chiffchaff 10; Blackbird 7; Dunnock 3; Kingfisher 1; Goldfinch 13; Long-tailed Tit 2; Chaffinch 5; Bullfinch 1; and Coal Tit 1.

Juvenile Blackcap (Photo Mike Tyler)

The crowd puller juvenile Kingfisher (Photo Mike Tyler)

Summer bumper catch

Yesterday the Group held one of its regular mist netting sessions hoping catch any juvenile birds making their way over the marshes. The morning started very well with many birds in the nets, but this trend went on until after midday to the surprise and enjoyment of ringers present. The tally was a surprising 86 birds of 16 species, with only nine retraps, one of those a Reed Warbler from several years ago.

The species caught were: Robin 4; Dunnock 7; Goldfinch 6; Blue Tit 9; Great Tit 9; Kingfisher 3; Chaffinch 8; Chiffchaff 11; Cetti's Warbler 2; Blackbird 9; Reed Warbler 3; Blackcap 6; Wren 1; Goldcrest 1; Long-tailed Tit 6 and a surprise Treecreeper.

Recent catch and pulli update

The latest Group session took place yesterday and 35 birds were caught. It was decided to try a site at Colyford Common, not regularly used. This proved ideal and the following were caught:

Reed Warbler 8; Dunnock 2; Wren 3; House Sparrow 11; Whitethroat 1; Blue Tit 3; Robin 2; Long-tailed Tit 2; Blackbird 1; Greenfinch 1; and Blackcap 1, a nice selection.

So far this year 18 Great Tit pulli have been ringed, and 32 Blue Tits. Five Kestrel pulli also ringed.

Hopefully our next session on 8th June will be equally as good.

A busy weekend

Last Saturday and Sunday mornings the Group carried out ringing in the area of Colyford Common and caught 52 birds of various species. On the Saturday a faithful Reed Warbler returned to its breeding area, not an uncommon event for migrants ringed on the site.

The catch included: Robin 8; Long-tailed Tit 4; Song Thrush 1; Blue Tit 6; Reed Warbler 9; Wren 2; Chiffchaff 1; Greenfinch 7; Bullfinch 1; Blackcap 1; Dunnock 1; Great Tit 2; Goldfinch 4; Chaffinch 1; and Blackbird 4.

A few juveniles were caught, including Greenfinches and Robins.

Hooray ringing will be taking place!

Please note that the ringing session programmed for Sunday 17th May will take place as a team will now be available.