September 2016 - warbler migration across Berkshire and Surrey

946 birds of 32 species were ringed with migration monitoring at Wraysbury and Tythebarns contributing the most and slightly higher than the last monitoring in 2014 of 924.

Chiffchaff (307) and Blackcap (291) dominated ringing totals; Blackcap early in the month and Chiffchaff later. Reed Warbler switched from reeds (1) to scrub (14) habitat and was last caught at Bedfont on 24th; the last Sedge Warbler was on 7th and Lesser Whitethroat on 15th.

Whitethroat, Garden Warbler and Willow Warbler were still present at the last monitoring session on 21st. Surprise catches were Kestrel at Tythebarns and Wraysbury, two Tree Pipits at Wraysbury and a total of 44 Dunnocks and 34 Robins.

August 2016 - the CES season comes to an end

764 new birds were ringed in August which is some way below the last three years when over 1,000 were done.

The CES programmes were completed at Bedfont and Wraysbury and several sessions were held at C6 at Wraysbury.  Good species were Nightjar and Dartford Warbler at Chobham, Sand Martin at Stanwellmoor, Swallow and Pied Wagtail at Wraysbury.

Every main site ringed at least one Willow Warbler giving a total of 56; the last time this total was reached was in 2010. Top species were Whitethroat 135; Blackcap 120 and Chiffchaff 110 although Blackcap seemed scarce everywhere except Wraysbury.

Half of the 74 Reed Warblers came from Bedfont where there was also a good showing of Sedge Warblers.