After frustrating administrative delays Paul and I have recently gained our C permits. This is a significant step up for us as individuals and for the team. In fact this almost left the team with no trainees at all. This has now been ably remedied with the recent addition of young Alex 'Biff' Mackintosh to the gang. I went for a Pulli endorsement so I could really get stuck into the Reed Warblers this year. They are a staple bird of our reed beds on the works, and for site fidelity and longevity are a good species to monitor. Out of 10 nests in the main reed bed 3 failed at egg stage, 5 broods ringed already with 2 more on eggs. We could reach 28 young ringed there in the first wave of nesting. The Pylon Lagoon has been slow to start with only 1 brood ringed there so far, but with males singing again and buzzing around I expect second wavers to start soon. Cuckoos have been active on site for the last 7 weeks,but as yet I,ve found no surprises in any of the nests. Matt has been ringing as many nests as he can at Moulden Canal and struck lucky(not for the Warblers!) with a Cuckoo egg in one. We are approaching almost 60 Reed Warbler Pulli ringed, and with sometimes 3 nesting attempts per season can we make 100? I ringed my first brood independently last week, and the second on Thursday which is a good confidence boost as an individual. Testimony to the excellent training we've received from Matt in the last 3 years.
