On the way to Oxwich this morning there was a lot of fog about which made the journey slow. On arrival it had cleared. Most of the morning was overcast with a little sunshine for half an hour or so and little wind.
Today’s visit was an extra one for the week, unfortunately Owain could not make it
We hoped for a larger catch than that of last weekend. We caught 76 birds which was nice but it looks like the big catches are reducing now a lot of migrants have gone.
|
Species
|
New
|
Re-trapped
|
Total
|
|
Robin
|
5
|
|
5
|
|
Blackcap
|
7
|
1
|
8
|
|
Reed Bunting
|
9
|
3
|
12
|
|
Goldfinch
|
10
|
1
|
11
|
|
Goldcrest
|
3
|
|
3
|
|
Bullfinch
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
|
Wren
|
|
1
|
1
|
|
Reed Warbler
|
2
|
|
2
|
|
Chiffchaff
|
14
|
|
14
|
|
Cetti’s Warbler
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
Greenfinch
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
Blue Tit
|
2
|
2
|
4
|
|
Long Tailed Tit
|
2
|
4
|
6
|
|
Great Tit
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
Meadow Pipit
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
Chaffinch
|
4
|
|
4
|
|
Total
|
63
|
13
|
76
|
The interesting part of today’s session was the number of migrants we caught. Just as you think it all over, we unexpectedly had some good numbers. Chiffchaff at 14 new birds was the best catch all season. We expected to catch a few, likewise with the Blackcaps as well at 8 birds. Generally the Blackcaps were putting fat on but the Chiffchaffs were nearly all 0 fat.
Reed Warbler was the biggest surprise, but a concern as well. One was aged 3 with a moult code of P and fat of 0 and the other was aged 3 with a moult code of O and fat of 2. These birds could have been a late brood dropping into the marsh to replenish fat already used or they are Oxwich birds still yet to put on fat before starting their long distant migration. In either case it’s getting very late in the season and one wonders what the outcome may be for these late birds.
Other birds worthy of note were the catches of 12 Reed Bunting, Cetti’s Warbler, 3 Goldcrest and a Long Tailed Tit flock of 6 birds.
