A light northerly wind, which gradually strengthened over the session and little cloud cover probably contributed to the catch in the Oxwich reedbed dropping off rapidly. Despite 16 birds in the first net round, only 18 were caught in total, and we packed up just after 10am.
The 18 birds were made up of 3 wrens, 1 sedge warbler, a robin, a reed bunting, 3 reed warblers, 2 bullfinches, a Cetti’s warbler, 2 blackcaps, a long-tailed tit, a blackbird, a blue tit and a kingfisher.
The highlight of the catch was the kingfisher. Photos are below.
The photo above shows the blue back and rump, the colouration of the head (blue-green), and the condition of the wing feathers (fresh). In the photo below the brown colouration of the feet and grey fringes to the breast feathers can be seen. This combination of features indicates a juvenile male.
Other wildlife noted around or over the marsh included a fly over little egret, two sparrowhawks circling and chasing above the Penrice Estate, and the micro moth Acleris emargana (below).
Many thanks to Keith Vaughton for assistance and company.
Owain Gabb, 25/08/2013
