03/06 Thatcham Marsh LNR CES 2018.04

Location: Thatcham Marsh LNR CES visit 2018.04
Session: 03-Jun-2018 05:30 to 10:45hrs

Headlines: an enjoyable session this morning with an obvious new arrival of Reed Warblers and a six+ year old Blue Tit is not a regular occurrence. Sedge Warbler numbers are down to a probably just a couple of pairs on the reed bed near of nets. A comparison of the juveniles captured in the equivalent 2017 visit again indicates a late breeding season for 2018. We are still not capturing species such as Chiffchaff and the like or many thrushes this year.  34 in the standard nets is below the average of 37 for visit 04, range 2005-21 1993-59. It looks like our very old mower may have finally given up as a good half hour was spent trying to get it to more than fire before we gave up; consequently the vegetation along the ride is going to be quite long for future visit unless it can be persuaded function.

Weather: bright, sunny, warm, calm
Present: JL, IW, JHW, DL, VG
Nets: 252metres, one standard (reed bed) net ride and two additional scrub nets rides of 36 and 18metres up from 06:00 to 10:00hrs
Lure (none): 
Capture (New/Recapture)

38 (15/23) CES 2018.04	33(18/15) CES 2017.04 (03-Jun-2017)
Species New Rtp Juv FG BLUTI 2 1 1 2 BULLF 1 1 CETWA 2 2 DUNNO 1 1 REEWA 10 14 24 ROBIN 1 1 SEDWA 4 4 WREN 1 1 2	Species New Rtp Juv FG BLABI 1 1 BLUTI 7 6 1 BULLF 1 1 CHIFF 2 2 DUNNO 1 1 2 JAY 1 1 REEWA 5 9 14 ROBIN 2 2 SEDWA 3 3

Recaptures: (23) recent except: 

BLUTI ringed 2012-1 

CETWA ringed 2017-1
REEWA ringed 2013-1, 2016-2, 2017-5

Sightings 48 Species: Ian’s list, probably the best bird a Peregrine that I missed. A few Sand Martins, Swallows and House Martin about today and a relatively good number of Swifts. The Water Rail have not been detected for the last two visits, hopefully they are on eggs and have not moved on. The total of 48 is one more than Ian's list as I forgot to mention a Green Woodpecker calling when I was taking my nets down.