June 2014

Robin (D Harris)

June totals often vary widely dependant on the number of pulli available but this month’s total of 1019 (449 Runnymede RG; 570 Maple Cross RG) has the largest number of full-grown birds (986) since 2006.

46 species were ringed (38 Runnymede; 33 Maple Cross) with 2 House Martins at Windsor, a Mistle Thrush at Wraysbury and a Grey Wagtail at Hilfield being the highlights.

House Martin (C Hunter Roach)

It is only a couple of years since we tried for 10 Cetti’s Warblers in a year; here we have 8 in a month! There was our first Nightjar of the year, 3 Kingfisher, 19 House Sparrow, 9 Tree Sparrow and a Linnet for good measure.

Blue Tit was top species at 135 followed by Blackcap at 107 but it was the number of Robins that caused comment – 78 compared to a 5-year June mean of 39.

Pulli numbers were low this month due to the ‘late running’ of the Bedfont gulls and terns and predation of Swallow nests at Tythebarns.

A female Reed Warbler caught at Windsor was ringed last August just north of Lisbon, Portugual - 1,400km away.