An almost imperceptible easterly breeze that gradually increased over the morning, open skies and a light frost at the marsh.
We set nets across the bund through the marsh, and a second net line in nearby scrub.
The catch was as follows:
Species
|
Ringed
|
Recaptured
|
Total
|
Wren
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
Dunnock
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
Robin
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
Blackbird
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
Song Thrush
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
Redwing
|
12
|
0
|
12
|
Cetti’s Warbler
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
Reed Warbler
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
Blackcap
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
Chiffchaff
|
3
|
0
|
3
|
Goldcrest
|
13
|
0
|
13
|
Long-tailed Tit
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
Blue Tit
|
3
|
1
|
4
|
Reed Bunting
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
Total:
|
41
|
8
|
49
|
![]() |
Redwing (we have captured 29 to date this autumn) |
We caught a few redwing leaving overnight roosts in and around the marsh in the first half an hour of light, a song thrush (first captured in 2014) in the scrub and a couple of Cetti’s warblers.
Our focus then changed to goldcrests and chiffchaffs, which were vocal in willows around the edge of the marsh. However captures were modest, and it was a return to usual late autumn service following the capture of a little bunting during the previous ringing session.
![]() |
A nice first winter male blackbird with a dark bill |
![]() |
Blackbird (first winter male) |
Thanks to Heather Coats, Darren Hicks and Val Wilson for company and assistance this morning.
Owain Gabb
22/10/2016