Notes: It was a non-Constant Effort Site weekend so the three of us
each put a 12M net up in the scrub east of the track to the angling pits and the
main reed bed. We had to clear two of the rides, one was an old ride not used
for some years, the others were along the west side perimeter of the lake; one we often erect when doing the CES visits. Our expectations were fairly low and so it proved –
just eight birds in 3 hours; three from one net on the first round. two from
the same net on the second round, further rounds produced no bird until nets
down when two were in the net that produced the five earlier birds and one from
another net. It was even quieter than we expected as very few birds were moving
in and around the scrub or coming off the reed bed etc.
Sightings: More than usual few large gulls seen occasionally over, including a 8+ flock
of mostly Lesser black-backed Gulls high up probably feed on insects. Several gull sighting were of high up of apparent feeding birds. More than the odd swift
was present with up to six seen occasionally through the session. The male Kestrel
spent much of the morning hovering over the old rubbish tip hill to the north. We think it has
a nest somewhere to the south as it flew in that direction once or twice
including carrying prey on at least one occasion. The only members of the finch
family detected being Goldfinch; the single local Chaffinch usually heard has gone quiet!
