A period of settled weather allowed the completion of two short visits to the marsh this week. During the first the wind speed picked up quickly, making the single net billow, while during the second session the conditions were ideal, with overcast skies and an almost windless morning.
The combined catch was as follows:
Species
|
New
|
Retrapped
|
Total
|
Jack Snipe
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
Snipe
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
Dunnock
|
0
|
3
|
3
|
Long-tailed Tit
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
Blue Tit
|
1
|
4
|
5
|
Great Tit
|
0
|
3
|
3
|
Treecreeper
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
Chaffinch
|
6
|
3
|
9
|
Greenfinch
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
Goldfinch
|
5
|
2
|
7
|
Siskin
|
2
|
14
|
16
|
Reed Bunting
|
4
|
1
|
5
|
Total:
|
22
|
32
|
54
|
Treecreeper |
The second of the sessions saw us pass 8,000 new birds ringed at the site since we began ringing at Oxwich in February 2013. The most frequently ringed species has been goldfinch (915 to date), but 818 greenfinch, 318 reed bunting, 539 blackcap, 803 barn swallow, 317 sedge warbler and 408 reed warbler are all notable, and we have started building a good picture of timing of breeding and patterns of seasonal use of the site by many species through both initial ringing and recapture data.
Thanks to those who have attended one or both sessions this week: Keith Vaughton, Paul Aubrey, Emma Cole, Wayne Morris and Val Wilson. Particular thanks to Keith for organising the Thursday session in my absence and for photos.
Owain Gabb
12/03/2016
Jack snipe (lower) and common snipe |
Val processing her first jack snipe |