28/07 Greenham Common

 Location: Greenham Common - Western Enclosure wk 2026 wk31-Tue

Session: 248/07/2026 07:40 to 10:50hrs

Present: IW, JL.

Weather: overcast most of session, sunny later, hot, light breeze.

Nets: 48metres 3 Rides, up from 08:00 to 10:10 hrs.

Lures audio: (BC-CC-FC-GC-GW-WH-LW-WO),(W-WC-RT-SF-TP-YW),(GH),(RT), intermittently.

Sedge Warbler: A juvenile we ring one or two here most years.

Notes: We expected that the early overcast weather might have brought a few birds down, but it was mostly as expected for the time of year. We have a matching visit for 2025 it being the first session of the season for that year. We finally ringed one of the Dartford Warblers that regularly frequent the area and the Sedge Warbler, out of its normal habitat ,shows that migrants are on the move. 

Recaptures: (0) 

Sightings: Apart from a flock of 42 Jackdaws out from the Bunkers, it was surprisingly quiet.

25/07 Thatcham Marsh LNR

Location: Thatcham Marsh LNR CES Visit 2026.09

Session: 25/07/2026 06:00 to 11:00hrs

Present: IW, JL, RAD, CMD, IQ.

Weather: sunny clear, calm, hot.

Nets: 192M net along the reed bed ride (net lengths 1A & 2A) + a 12M ride in scrub (site B) up from 06:30 to 10:30hrs.

Lures: (none)

Whitethroat Juvenile, probably on passage - once often encountered, now a bit scarce on and around the reed bed.

Notes: A disappointing capture for the time of year. The primary reed bed species Reed Warbler numbers are down. A check on the Reed Warbler total for CES Visit 09 shows the following (Starting 2005 the easiest years in the data to access back to).

 It shows that over the last 20+ years there is a steady drop in numbers. There are other single figure counts that appear to be one offs – hopefully 2026 is one of these. Also it seems there are fewer birds of any species venturing out on to the reed bed this year. It is noticable that fewer aphids are visable; these previous years encrusted the phagmitres tops; though I can’t remember the last time I saw this. Also I can’t remember the last time I was pestered by midges and the like, no longer is there the need to apply repelants, once an essential this time of year.

FG = age indeterminate

CES visit 2026.09 Recaptures: (05)

Blue Tit ringed: 24/06/2025.

Dunnock ringed: 06/04/2025, 21/06/2026.

Reed Warbler ringed: 18/05/2025

Sedge Warbler ringed: 12/07/2026.

Sightings: A quite large flock of Canada Geese flew west early. Still one or two Swifts about. Water

Rail chicks calling from the reed bed. Little Grebe appear to be nesting again. A Cattle Egret flew over

east and the Kestrel from the south is still visiting the tip mound but less frequently. The only phylos

warbler was a Chiffchaff that called briefly. Fewer Butterflies around this session.

24/07 Greenham Common

Location: Greenham Common - Western Enclosure wk 2026 wk30-Fri

Session: 24/07/2026 07:40 to 10:50hrs

Present: IW, JL.

Weather: overcast early, sunny later, hot, light breeze.

Nets: 48metres 3 Rides, up from 08:00 to 10:10 hrs.

Lures audio: (BC-CC-FC-GC-GW-WH-LW-WO),(W-WC-RT-SF-TP-YW),(GH),(RT), intermittently. 

Willow Warbler: Today’s  juvenile only the second of this species ringed so far this season.

Notes: 17 birds on the first round after nets up. Lots of juvenile Blue Tits again today, otherwise much as expected.

Recaptures: (0)

Sightings: The Hobby flew west when we were putting the nets up. The female Sparrowhawk was soaring over the tree line to the west. Just one Dartford around for a while. Fewer Jackdaws flying out from the bunkers and the Mallards flew along the tree margins probably heading to Lower Farm GP. The Grey Wagtail over SW and is the first here for a while. Little insect activity as it was overcast for much of the session.

 

21/07 Greenham Common

 Location: Greenham Common - Western Enclosure wk 2026 wk30-Tue

Session: 21/07/2026 07:40 to 10:50hrs

Present: IW, JL, KMB.

Weather: clear sunny, hot light breeze.

Nets: 48metres 3 Rides, up from 08:00 to 10:10 hrs

Lures audio: (BC-CC-FC-GC-GW-WH-LW-WO),(W-WC-RT-SF-TP-YW),(GH),(RT), intermittently.

Silver-washed Fritillary: we saw two of these here a couple of weeks ago.

This image taken at Boxford Common on the 16/07/2026.

Notes: an enjoyable morning that went very quickly, 35 birds is the best session total here so far this year, and included what probably constitutes a post breeding flock of Blue Tit these days. No Willow Warblers again, the average capture per session for week 30 is 6, so far this year we have ringed just 1; no Chiffchaff either, only one calling from the edge of the woodland to the north. The Dunnock was the only adult encountered and was in full wing moult. 5 of the 12 primary wing feathers were old the rest were in various stages of growing from pin to 75% long.

Recaptures: (01)

Dunnock ringed: 17/11/2023

Sightings: Not many species recorded, we were busy ringing sometimes so probably missed a species or two not that there was much activity around us. Mistle Thrush are scare this summer, this individual is the first I’ve seen since late May. Usually there are family parties over and around at this time. Also unusual at this end of the common is Chaffinch. My perception is that they have not bred here for the last two or three years.

17/07 Greenham common

Location: Greenham Common - Western Enclosure wk 2026 wk29-Fri

Session: 17/07/2026 07:40 to 10:30hrs

Present: IW, JL.

Weather: clear sunny, hot, calm, light breeze later.

Nets: 48metres 3 Rides, up from 08:00 to 10:10 hrs.

Lures audio: (BC-CC-FC-GC-GW-WH-LW-WO),(W-WC-RT-SF-TP-YW),(GH),(RT), intermittently.

Firecrest: a juvenile – eye strip just becoming visible.

Notes: Another session that included a good variety of species. Reed Warblers are unusual here but not unknown and a definite sign that migration is underway.

Recaptures: (0)

Sightings: Some of the Swallows were buzzing the female Sparrowhawk quite high up. Dartford Warbler quite active singing and calling for a while. Apart from Gatekeepers not much butterfly activity. The only dragonfly species seen was to fast through to ID, except that it was a medium size individual.