George ringed today over at the Observatory with better results than of late. He ended the morning on 13 birds processed including 9 New birds and just 4 Retraps.
The catch was made up thus (New/Retrap) - (3/0) Meadow Pipit, (0/1) Wren, (1/0) Dunnock, (2/3) Whitethroat, (1/0) Willow Warbler and (2/0) Reed Bunting.
A pretty good result, indeed the last time we ringed 3 Meadow Pipits in a single day in the Spring was decades ago. They must clearly be breeding in the Saltmarsh area in healthy numbers this years, just occasionally straying into the dunes and then the nets during territory disputes.
The same is basically true of the Reed Buntings, with 12 Ringed this year already, this is certainly the most we have ringed during the Spring of any previous year for the Observatory.
It is starting to look like it could be a record breeding year for many species on the reserve although it it is still early days and predictions can quickly unravel with inclement weather - fingers crossed then for a fine summer breeding season!
Also reported on the reserve on the 7th May 2011 -
x1 Short Eared Owl
x1 Barn Owl
x1 Marsh Harrier
x3 Whimbrel (north)
