Day 16 - An early finish and a Shrike

A low number early finish morning today. Nets were opened along very quiet rides at 05.30 with a cold  north easterly wind which seemed to put the birds off from moving around. We were two men down (one woman and one man to be precise) following an all night blueberry vodka and 80s music session but it made no difference given the numbers.

We had more Redwing in the nets early on and Willow Warblers were the bulk of the catch with Lapland Bunting coming second.  Very few pipits were present on the marsh this morning and Bluethroats were noticeably absent.

However, the bonus bird to cheer us all up was brought from the long line by George. This was a juvenile Great Grey Shrike and we each took turns in losing bits of skin to it for a quick photo.

With fewer and fewer birds we furled the marsh at around ten and then the remaining nets at around eleven.

Although we still have open day tomorrow we got a start on preparing to pack away by dismantling the walk-in traps on the shore and stowing the equipment.

Today we ringed 47 new birds of 11 species. The most were Willow Warblers (18) with Lapland Bunting second (7). The detailed breakdown is:

    25-Aug
Greenfinch    1
Brambling    2
Common Redpoll    4
Lapland Bunting    7
Bluethroat    6
Meadow Pipit    4
Red-throated pipit    1
Pied Flycatcher    1
Willow Warbler    18
Redwing    2
Great Grey Shrike    1

   
New Birds   
Species Count    11
Total    47
   
Grand Total    55