Fair weather for bird ringing - September 2018

Grey Wagtail

Good weather conditions had ringing take place on most weekends and some mid-week
sessions too.

The result was the highest September total, 1206, since 2013 (1397). Blackcap comprised nearly 40%
of the catch at 473, followed by Chiffchaff, nearly 18%, at 216.

Highlights were a Grey Wagtail at Surrey (rarely caught at our sites), 50 House Martins at Wraysbury and 27 Willow Warblers. Other warblers tailed away with few after mid-month, but small numbers of finches spoke of things to come.

CES birds on the up - August 2018

Despite early season worries about low catches on CES, both Bedfont and Wraysbury
improved later and are heading for reasonable totals.

Overall, August saw 982 new birds ringed, rather more than 2017 (945) and well up on 2016 (764). The 34 species included: pulli of Barn Owl and Swallow and there were captures of Sparrowhawk, Jay, Magpie and three Jackdaw among larger species.

Five House Martin and 13 Meadow Pipit came from Stanwellmoor and Willow Warbler were up to 56 after only 24 last year. Blackcap was top species at 299 followed by Whitethroat at 153 and Garden Warbler at 84. Reed Warbler had good numbers through Stanwellmoor raising them to 4th place at 71.