It has been a frustrating first half of the month. Forecasts have proven inaccurate, resulting in several last minute call-offs, and wind and rain has hampered opportunities at other times.

It was therefore good to be able to get a session in this Saturday. The weather was almost perfect. A very light north to north-westerly wind, overcast skies and no rain.

Even so the catch was modest, as it appears that there are few birds in the marsh at present. The total of 30 birds broke down as follows:

The highlights were:

• Three first winter snipe. There are over 60 in the marsh at present, but few were in the trapping area this morning. All showed two generations of feathers in the wing coverts, allowing them to be aged.
• A kingfisher. This bird was ringed in September, so has been present on the marsh for at least three months (assuming that it has remained local during this time).
• Two great spotted woodpeckers. As in 2015 we have seen captured great spotted woodpeckers at the feeders late in the year, suggesting these individuals may be ranging around looking for food / have dispersed into the area. Prior to this we captured our last new birds in July (birds after this are typically recaptures). This takes the annual total of great spotted woodpeckers captured on the marsh to 20.
• What is probably the final Cetti’s warbler of the year. A fat score of 3 might suggest a bit of mid-winter dispersal? We have captured 26 different individuals in the marsh in 2016.
• A good December haul of four chiffchaffs. These were all typical collybitas, and are assumedly wintering locally.

18/12/2016

Kingfisher

Great spotted woodpeckers. Male left (with red hind crown) and female right

Cetti’s warbler

Chiffchaff