10/05 Thatcham Marsh LNR CES 2026.02

Location: Thatcham Marsh LNR CES Visit 2026.02

Session:   10/05/2026 06:00 to 11:00hrs

Present:   JHW, IW, JL, CMD, IQ.

Weather: mostly cloudy, some sunny periods, windy, cool.

Nets: one 198M long line of reed bed nets plus a 12m scrub net up from 06:30 to 10:30hrs.

Lures (none):

Today’s adult Jay that was not in breeding condition – probably a non-breeding wanderer. 

The local Jays that have been quite active during the last two sessions here were notably absent today.

Notes: Not an ideal day to ring due to the very strong easterly wind. About half the Reed Bed nets had some shelter, but all were significantly affected by the wind particularly during the gusting periods. The reed bed still seems quieter bird-wise than memory says it should be. The Greenham Common 2024 Chiffchaff is a good re-encounter.

Recaptures: (14)
Cetti’s Warbler ringed: 26/04/2024.
Chiffchaff ringed: 19/07/2024 ringed at the Western Enclosure, Greenham & Crookham Common.
Great Tit ringed: 29/06/2025.
Reed Warbler ringed: 03/05/2025, 02/08/2025, 26/04/2026x2, 02/05/2026x2.
Sedge Warbler ringed: 18/05/2025, 26/04/2026x2, 02/05/2026.

Sightings: Quite a few birds about given the weather, a few Swifts and hirundines occasionally drifted over  northeast-ish during the session – possibly missed a few. The Cuckoo arrived mid-session calling but did not stay long. Water Rail young called a few times and still at least two Reed Bunting about.

Birds: 47 Species