12/06 Thatcham Marsh LNR CES visit 2021.05

Location: Thatcham Marsh LNR Constant Effort Site 2021.05 of 12
Session: 12/06/2021, 06:00 to 11:00hrs
Notes: An average session, reed bed still relatively quiet. No additional nets as signs of ongoing intruder activity. The first juveniles of the year here today, Blue Tit, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Wren and Cetti’s Warbler. The latter showing none of the disseminated plumage associated with juveniles this time of year, just very fresh and bare breast etc; must have fledged a few weeks ago. Two new Reed Warblers showing no sign of breeding activity so probably late arrivals; we often get late arriving birds well into June. Our perception is that Acrocephalus Warbler numbers are a shadow of what they once were. Below are five-year period totals for an equivalent June visit; we started CES in 1993 so prior to this session times and net ride(s)/length(s) not as fixed.

Decline is not so evident as perceived; charts for every year since 1993 show an overall decline of both species.
Present: JL,IW,DL
Weather: Sunny periods, light breeze, warm
Nets: 198metres in 1 ride of 198M up from 06:30 to 10:30hrs
Lures: None

Sightings 34 species: Cuckoos still active, no hirundine just one or two swifts, quiet for the time of year, should be more juveniles, tits etc.