09/04 Thatcham Marsh LNR

Location: Thatcham Marsh LNR
Session: 09/04/2023 07:00 to 11:20hrs
Notes: A couple of interesting captures: a Cetti’s Warbler ringed elsewhere, location details to follow and an early Whitethroat unusually before any acrocephalus warblers. Since 1972 the earliest Whitethroat ringed is 24/04/1987 followed by one on the 26/04/1987, there earliest this century is 29/04/2007; all ringed at this site. A Willow Warbler was unexpected as we ring very few of these in recent years here. Some more Chiffchaffs today including two ringed around the same time in 2022; not captured here subsequently until today so probably passage birds.
Present: IW,JHW,JL,NC
Weather: Foggy overcast early sunny later, light breeze, cold early warm later.
Nets: 298Metres, 1 reed bed ride up from 07:30 to 11:00hrs
Lures: None.

Adult male Whitethroat a couple of weeks earlier than usual

Recaptures:(11)
Blue Tit               ringed: 11/09/2022
Cetti’s Warbler   ringed: 11/04/2021, 15/08/2022 (re-trap from elsewhere location awaited),
Chiffchaff             ringed:  03/04/2022x2, 08/05/2022, 02/04/2023
Dunnock             ringed: 18/09/2022
Greti Tit              ringed: 23/07/2022, 25/09/2022

Sighting: The Oystercatcher was calling unseen in the fog. Quite a few Blackcaps in the scrub singing, surprising that we didn’t capture one. Disappointingly no acrocephalus on the reed bed yet; any time now though.