14/08 Greenham Common

Location: Greenham Common Western Enclosure
Session: 14-Aug-2018 06:50 to 10:20hrs

Headlines: Conditions looked ideal early; overcast and calm. I spent yesterday afternoon sorting out some new play lists only to leave half the audio equipment at home. I had to use the older (standby) equipment. Fortunately, Ian arrived just after nets up, so I was able to walk home through the trees to get the said equipment. Apart for my forgetfulness I also learned that I can’t run anymore without having massive fits of coughing. Apart from the Willow Warblers today’s capture was disappointing due to the lack of Sylvia warblers, particularly Blackcap. Last year’s matching visit had three Blackcaps and 10 Chiffchaffs. A look at 2016 and 2015 near matching visits showed Blackcap numbers building up from the beginning of Aug. Both Blackcap and Chiffchaff are still a bit scarce to date this year.

Weather: Overcast calm early, some sunny periods, cloudy breezy later, warm
Present: JL. IW
Nets: 48metres in three rides of 18m, 18m 12m up from 07:15 to 10:00hrs
Lure (audio): Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Redstart, Swallow, Wood Warbler, intermittently

Capture (New/Recapture) 14(14/00)	Matching Visit: 15-Aug-2017 17(17/00) (Tuesday)
Species New Rtp Juv Adult CHIFF 1 1 GARWA 2 2 GOLDC 1 1 ROBIN 1 1 WHITE 2 2 WILWA 7 7	Species New Rtp Juv Adult BLACA 3 3 BLUTI 1 1 CHIFF 10 10 ROBIN 1 1 WILWA 1 1 WOODL 1 1

Recaptures: None

Sightings 32 Species: Ian’s list, a very scarce species seen in the Western Enclosure today, only the second time for some while that I am aware of that they have been seen on the heath; two House Sparrows dropped down into the tree by the style, took us a bit of time to realise what they were against the light and part hidden by the foliage. Plenty of Swallow activity today mainly along the tree line but occasionally low over the heath; no reaction to the audio though, otherwise quiet as usual; species count ok though.