02/08 Thatcham Marsh LNR

Location: Thatcham Marsh LNR CES Visit 2025.10

Session: 02/08/2025 06:00 to 11:10hrs.

Present: JHW,IW,JL,LC.

Weather: sunny periods early clouding over later, calm-ish, cool.

Nets: one 198M long reed bed ride plus 12m scrub ride additional net up from 06:30 to 10:30hrs.

Lures (): None

Notes: The total for the CES is 18 – the Treecreeper and Grey Wagtail were from a net in the scrub which is additional to the core CES. 18 is half the average total of 36 for visit 10 (range 2016-14 1995-89). We don’t ring many Grey Wagtails now, the last ringed were two in 2020 at Manor Fm Crookham. We ringed several double figure numbers when we operated at Kingsclere STW 2011 to 2017. On the CES we last ringed one 11/09/2005 and we've ringed just 12 between 1972and today. Referring to the 2024 matching visit it seems there are fewer species visiting the reed bed this year so far. No Sedge Warblers seen or heard either. We ringed a quite late Reed Warbler 1J (fledgling) today probably from a replacement brood most having fledged a few weeks ago.

FG =age indeterminate

Recaptures: (07)

Cetti’s Warbler   ringed: 21/06/2025, 12/07/2025.

Reed Warbler     ringed: 14/07/2024, 26/07/2025x2.

Wren                   ringed: 16/04/2023, 26/07/2025.

Sightings: Still the odd Swift also Swallow flying over mostly east. Two squabbling Kingfishers and the  Grey Wagtail  both scarce species here in recent times. A family party of five or so Goldcrest was probably from the pair that have held territory in the mature scrub near the ringing station. Can’t recall any butterflies on the wing and the Bloody-nose Beetle is the first for a while here.