West Wilts Group

Lower Moor Farm: Thursday, 27th July 2017 CES9

I was joined for the session by Ellie and Jonny.  We had to move Wednesday's session to Thursday because of the persistent rain but, fortunately, both were able to reschedule to Thursday. The forecast wasn't much better for today, but it was scheduled for light rain showers between 8:00 and 9:00, with heavy showers moving in from 11:00. In the event, there was a bit of very light drizzle at 8:00, which stopped at 8:30, and then we had a short, sharp shower at about 9:00, which lasted just long enough for Ellie to close half the nets before reopening them.  Fortunately, the rain did not arrive again at 11:00 and we managed a full session.  

Our catch was: Green Woodpecker 1; Blue Tit 1(1); Wren 1(3); Dunnock 1; Robin 2(1); Blackbird 1(2); Reed Warbler 3; Blackcap 15(2); Garden Warbler 5(2); Lesser Whitethroat 3; Chiffchaff 9; Willow Warbler 3; Bullfinch 3(1).  Totals: 48 ringed from 13 species, 12 retrapped from seven species, making 60 birds processed from 13 species.

The catch compared favourably numerically with the equivalent catch last year: 60 birds processed (48 ringed, 50 juveniles) compared to 63 birds processed in 2016 (49 ringed, 49 juveniles).  However, this catch had only two juvenile Blue Tits (6), no juvenile Great Tits (4), Blackbirds (5), Treecreepers (3) or Willow Warblers (6). (2016 values in parentheses.)  Our catch today was much more warbler oriented, with the following juveniles: Blackcap 16; Chiffchaff 9; Garden Warbler 7; Lesser Whitethroat and Reed Warbler 3 each.  

We were joined, briefly, by the Lower Moor Farm Watch Group: about 20 children, who arrived just as I was taking three juvenile Bullfinch from one of the net rides. They were delighted to get close to the birds and interested in the whole ringing process.  We also spent a little time with a couple of photographers from Wootton Bassett, who we managed to help identify a couple of birds they had photographed but were unfamiliar with.

Our highlight was the fourth Green Woodpecker of the year caught at Lower Moor Farm: three ringed and one retrapped from August 2016.  This was a juvenile male: fresh from the nest hole by the looks of its plumage. ST/JC/EJ