Once again all the nets were erected before it got light. Catching was steady all day with the main species trapped being blackbirds and various tits. Clear skies and a brisk wind meant that many birds probably avoided the nets. Two yellow browed warblers were observed near to one of the nets however one bounced out and the other flew over the net, very frustrating!
Ringing totals included 13 blackbirds, 12 long tailed tits, 10 blue tits, 7 great tits, 5 chaffinch, 3 lesser redpolls, 2 siskins and blackcaps, plus singles of goldcrest, coal tit, redwing and dunnock. Retrap totals included 5 blackbirds and singles of chiffchaff, goldcrest, great tit and wren.
Given that there was no sign of the red-flanked bluetail or any other scarcities by mid-afternoon, I decided to leave the site early. This turned out to be the worst decision I could have made. I got a call from Steve Howard telling me that there was an un-ringed red-flanked bluetail in the big mound!!! Im not sure how I will sleep tonight as I have got everything crossed in the hope it stays and is trapped early tomorrow morning.
hi Adrian, if you drop me an email I will sent the pics I have of the Woodcock and YBWarbler if you want them; andrew.kinghorn@hotmail.co.uk
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