09/10 Thatcham Marsh LNR

Location: Thatcham Marsh LNR

Session: 09_Oct-2016 07:30 to 11:00hrs

Headlines: A pleasant autumnal day. We struggled a little at the start with 21 captures on the first round not helped by a couple of spiralling Wrens. No acrocephalus warblers, I think for the first time this season. Still a few Chiffchaffs about to capture. The total today  was exceeded for the first time this autumn by Goldcrests. Just a lonely Blue Tit and a Great Tit captured. It might be a bit quiet at the Feeders this coming winter. Dunnock captures increased this session, like Wrens they move into and around the reed bed this time of year. Still hoping for a Yellow-browed Warbler and a Firecrest; so far not as lucky as an ex NRG member, now ringing on the Gower whose group ringed nine and two Firecrests yesterday morning, even a new trainee got to ring one! There is always next time.

Weather: Clear, sunny, breeze building towards the end, early it felt cold but warmed up a little during the session.

Present: JL, JHW, IW, RGS, RDW

Nets: 234metres in three rides of 108M+90M, 18M, 18M up from 08:00 to 10:30hrs

Lure (audio): Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Firecrest, Goldcrest, Yellow-browed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Redwing intermittently.

Capture (New/Recapture) 41(36/5): Blackcap 4/0, Blue Tit 1/0, Cetti’s Warbler 3/2, Chiffchaff 8/0, Dunnock 2/1, Goldcrest 9/0, Great Tit 1/0, Reed Bunting 2/0, Robin 1/1, Wren 5/1

Recaptures: (5) Cetti’s Warbler 2y 32d, 28d Dunnock 2y 145d Robin 1y 146d Wren 85d

Age Range: all 1st CY except adults Chiffchaff 2, Dunnock 1, Goldcrest 1, Robin 1, Wren 1

Sightings 37 Species: Probably missed a few, two Pheasant flew close over the nets fortunately and an over flying Snipe the best bird of the day. Still no winter finches and Fieldfare must be due any day; an average list for the time of year.

Blackbird 1 Blackcap 6+ Black-headed Gull 20+ Blue Tit 3 Buzzard 1 Canada Goose 19 Carrion Crow 3 Cetti's Warbler 8+ Chaffinch 1 Chiffchaff 12+ Cormorant 10+ Dunnock 3+ Goldcrest 10+ Goldfinch 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Great Tit 2 Green Woodpecker 1 Grey Wagtail 2 Jackdaw 5+

Jay 1 Kingfisher 1 Long-tailed Tit 5+ Magpie 2 Mallard 2 Moorhen 5 Pheasant 2 Red Kite 1 Redwing 20+ Reed Bunting 4+ Robin 5+ Snipe 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Starling 3 Treecreeper 1 Water Rail 1 Woodpigeon 10+ Wren 10+