An excellent month as usual in August. Despite the heatwave causing disruption: I went 10 days with no sessions, the team managed to get some excellent catches and good numbers.
So fewer birds processed, but in three fewer sessions, two of which were down to me, but the average numbers ringed were higher.
Added to the list from last year were: Hobby, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting and Stock Dove. Missing this year were: Barn Owl (not surprising as we did no box checking this month – I am rather dreading what we might find), Firecrest, Jay, Magpie, Swift, Tree Pipit and Yellow Wagtail.
Jonny has had a particularly productive month: apart from his youth and enthusiasm, a lot of that is down to ringing sites with plenty of water, like Langford Lakes. He also had the brainwave of carrying out an evening roost session, hence the House Martins and the fledged / adult Swallows. He was also blessed with this:
This is only the third caught by anyone in the group past or present. The first was by what is now the North Wilts Group at Swindon Sewage Works. Second was at Langford Lakes on the 11th August two years ago, and this one on the 14th August this year, also at Langford Lakes.
This is the second year running that Ian and Andy have caught six Nightjars on their Salisbury Plain sites. Each time, they have been caught in August, presumably on migration. In fact, only 20 have been caught by the group. All since 2020 and all in August, except a single on the Imber Ranges in early September 2023.
All Tit numbers were well down on August of last year: I doubt our fingers are complaining. Anyway, another excellent month, with good numbers and good variety in the catching. Looking forward to September!