I carried out a ringing session in Webb’s Wood this morning. It wasn’t a busy session, only 16 birds processed, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. The list for the session was: Blue Tit 1(2); Long-tailed Tit 1(1); Robin (1); Blackbird 1; Blackcap 3; Chiffchaff 2; Willow Warbler 4. Totals: 12 ringed from 6 species and 3 retraps from 3 species. All bar one of the male Blackcaps was in breeding condition.
There were a lot of other birds around but it seems they were all up in the trees singing and proclaiming their territories. In addition to those caught and processed heard and / or saw Buzzard, Raven, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Song Thrush.
The highlight of the morning was a singing Wood Warbler. I would expect it is passing through, heading to the Forest of Dean or further north, but for it to be showing territorial behaviour in Webb’s Wood is pretty exciting.
One additional footnote: I was chatting with a woman who was walking her dog, and she told me that she had seen a wild boar on Somerford Common last week. Interesting sighting: hopefully I won't be getting pig-sized holes in my nets.