22th April 2010 - Reedbed First and Neighbour Ringing 3

Today, Jake and I did a first trial session in the reedbed at Warnham LNR, which is only accessible in the summer months, although an increase of vegetation growth is still needed to optimise the habitat after the management work done this winter. It was fairly successful though for just two hours with 12 birds caught including seven new. Although ringing three new Blackcaps was good the highlight was a retrap Long-tailed Tit ringed on 23rd Sep 2006 as an unaged bird caught and paired up with an autumn 2009 ringed bird - a bit of a Sugar-daddy!

Other birds seen on site today included a Garden Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Nightingale and completely unexpectedly an overflying Whimbrel (a new species for this site).

I also checked the second Robin nest in my neighbours garden when I got home and four more chicks were ringed.

Below are a couple of pictures of the first Harvest Mice that were released today as part of the reintroduction breeding program at Chesworth Farm - they are wicked! Thanks to Paul Marten for the photos and the opportunity to take part in this very rewarding project.
Birds ringed:
Blackcap - 3
Robin - 4 nestlings
Wren - 2
Blackbird - 2
Great Tit - (1)
Blue Tit - (1)
Long-tailed Tit - (2)
Dunnock - (1)