11/04 Thatcham Marsh LNR

 Location: Thatcham Marsh LNR
Session: 11/04/2021, 07:30 to 11:00hrs

Notes: We have not ringed the LNR since 20th October 2019. 2020 was a write off. Due to Covid-19 restrictions we could not visit until June by which time the main ride was completely overgrown. As it was still the breeding season, we could not do any clearing work. A visit mid-August found the ride even more overgrown and fallen trees blocking access a few metres in, so we abandoned any thought of ringing activities here for the rest of the year. Some excellent clearing work by BBOWT early March 2021 and we were back in business. Today’s weekend visit was the first time this intolerable spring weather allowed. We erected the nets on the main ride and cleared the undergrowth that had collapsed into the additional net rides. Repairs were made to the bridge as the sleeper on one side had become spongy and unstable. Meanwhile we ringed a few birds including the first Sedge Warbler of the year. The star bird of the day was the female Sparrowhawk, quite a handful. We usually ring the smaller males which have lethal claws, so seeing its even bigger daggers it was processed with a lot of caution.

Present: JL,DL,IW,JHW,RJC

Weather: Sunny, SW Breeze, Cool
Nets: 198metres in 1 ride up from 08:00 to 11:00hrs
Lures :None

Recaptures:(05)    

Cetti’s Warbler     ringed: 05/05/2019

Chiffchaff             ringed: 02/06/019, 18/08/2019

Wren                   ringed: 27/10/2019

Sightings 34 species: Water Rails were squealing noisy as we erected the nets and occasionally for the rest of the session. There was a brief burst of chunter from a Reed Warbler in amongst the chatter of at least three Sedge Warblers. A few Swallows and at least one House Martin drifted over, mostly in ones and twos and one loose flock of six to eight birds.