Working solo at weekends seems to be becoming a thing! Midweek I have Miranda and Rosie to help but it just seems that nobody is available at weekends. What is happening to work patterns these days? It is hard work for an old man, having to start at least 30 minutes earlier than if there was someone else to help, to get the nets open at a reasonable time, not to mention having to carry all of the equipment, make the holes and rig the guys ready for action. This morning I was up at 4:00, out of the door and on site by 4:30. Nets open by 5:30, first bird at 6:00. As mentioned in the last post about this site, I tried some different net positions to try and take advantage of the work carried out by the Trust over winter:
I was joined later in the morning by Laura and Mark with their children, Adam and Daniel. As usual, they stayed and helped me pack away at the end of the session: Adam and Daniel got to ring a few birds. Adam also got to fly his drone over the meadows: a long way away from the ringing site.
The weather was a disappointment. I had decided upon the pond area because the forecast was for sunshine, warmth and very low wind. The site is very open, not as much as Blakehill Farm, but also susceptible to the wind. Whilst setting the nets it was very cold compared to recent temperatures, but the breeze was very low. Unfortunately, almost as soon as I got the nets open, it remained cold but the breeze began to pick up. It remained like that until the sun finally broke through at just after 9:00, whereupon the breeze dropped somewhat and the whole experience became much more pleasant.
It started with a reasonable first round, as seems to be the way recently, and then died off, as is also the way recently! The final catch total was typical of recent sessions: just 17 birds caught from 9 species. First bird out this morning was a Whitethroat ringed at the last session. I was prepared: I had brought the book I am currently reading (“The Long Call” by Ann Cleeves (author of the Vera and Shetland crime novels)) but I was never reduced to reading, particularly not after Laura & Co. arrived!
The initial catch comprised one each of Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler and Great Tit plus two Chiffchaff. Nice variety and a reasonable number. Unfortunately, thereafter it was just one or two birds until the sun came out and we had four birds at 9:30, before it died off again.
The list for the day was: Blue Tit 3; Great Tit 1; Long-tailed Tit 1; Dunnock 1(2); Blackbird 1; Garden Warbler (2); Whitethroat 1(1); Chiffchaff 1(1); Willow Warbler 2. Totals: 11 birds ringed from 8 species and 6 birds retrapped from 4 species, making 17 birds processed from 9 species.
There was one interesting bird in the catch: Garden Warbler, S859426, ringed as an adult in June 2017. As such, it must have made the journey to and from the Congo at least once before, so at least 7 years at 8,200 miles per annum: at least 57,400 miles in its lifetime: so far for a bird with a 76mm wing length and a weight of less than 20g! This was only the second time that the bird has been caught after ringing: the first retrap was just last May.
In between net rounds we had some excellent views of other wildlife. For a good 20 minutes there was a group of four Red Kites and a single Buzzard taking advantage of the thermals (when the place finally warmed up) over Ravensroost Wood. We also had a male Kestrel hunting over the meadow giving extremely good views of its hovering and swooping technique.
There were clouds of Common blue damselflies in the Ravens Retreat area and, around the pond, a goodly selection of both damselflies but, especially, dragonflies, including: Emperor, Broad Bodied Chaser and Black-tailed Skimmer. There were a few beetles about: particularly Whirligigs on the pond and a male Swollen-thighed Beetle, a beautiful metallic green and with well-swollen thighs, living up to its name. Quite common on the site are the Black & Red Froghopper: lots of those around. My favourite of the morning was this:
I have no idea what it is, have ploughed through several field guides without success, but will endeavour to find out. If anyone knows, please let me know!
At 11:00 we decided to shut the nets and clear away. With the help from family Childs, it was all done and cleared away quite quickly, and we were off site by midday.
Ringing In The Braydon Forest & Beyond 