May kicks off the breeding season for many of our warblers

Ringing took place at three group sites in May, recording the breeding season in full swing.

5M Kestrel

Wraysbury ran two CES sessions this month recording Blackcap, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler and Whitethroat from the warbler family. A couple of Reed Bunting stand out as this species has become less common at the site and a Kestrel and Green Woodpecker provided new training experiences for our trainees to learn ageing, sexing and handling.

The month's oldest ring was on a Wraysbury Whitethroat from July 2018 and it was good to see Lesser Whitethroat  and Song Thrush from 2019 again.

The Kestrel was aged 5 and a single replaced blue/grey tail feather enabled sexing as a male. Note that bluish head feathers would have been a strong criterion on their own.

Away from the CES we tried a 3D-printed Cuckoo decoy but no birds were yet present.

Towards the end of May, Minet recorded Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat along with regular residents. 

Bedfont also added a session on 29th catching returning Reed Warblers (2021 being the oldest ring).

The Blue and Great Tits had a good start at Woolley Firs and clutch size was typical for the site. For nest-recording, four visits took place giving a good picture of breeding at the site.