October - Firecrests, Cetti's..

A Water Rail...in the Pentood nets on the 31st, our first of the year...

Maybe some effort with potter traps as we hear several around the Marshes...

On the 19th, 3 Firecrests near the River View Point on the Reserve. Three in October, perhaps a sign of breeding sites closer than we are aware...

One was a returning bird - recorded both sides of the new year last winter. Since the 19th two further different individuals too..   

9 Firecrests so far in 2024, 3 are returning birds and our peak recording period - November is yet to start.... !

Cetti's Warblers - with 42 different individuals caught this year - including  12 re-encounters from previous years, a good year. Maybe some immigration in particular of females based on size as we continue to catch new birds.

More analysis of our Cetti's Warbler data to follow in the future.

Likely our final Reed Warbler of the year on the 30th at Mallard, a 15.2g bird with a fat score of 5 - clearly planning to migrate, thus following Diane's sighting on the 29th. 

Not our latest Reed Warbler with one caught on 2nd Nov 2021.

Whilst ringing in Mallard on the 30th, great to catch 10 Reed Buntings, though outside of the RAS study season great to re encounter 6 and colour ring 4 new birds.

Of 68 different Reed Buntings encountered this year - 28 are from previous years including three ringed in 2018

Mid winter can be very good for both catching and for photographers to record colour - ringed birds for us.

Since the middle of October weather has allowed the ringing development of the Rhiwlas site on the Reserve and some increase in effort and training.

A Redwing at Rhiwlas

Redwing are passing through but slow with lack of food this year.  The hillside at the back of Rhiwlas field is holding a roost at the moment.

With the first Woodcock are arriving at the coastal observatories - soon for us to start this seasons upland farmland studies.. Of the 164  Woodcock  we encountered earlier this year - with 17 from previous years (including 2 from 2020 and 2 from 2021) we look forward to assessing the breeding success of these European birds.

In the next blog some words and photos from Jane's new ringing site " Emporium" Off to a flying start with good early success. An update from Wendy's site too. We expect to ring at both these sites through the winter..

Recoveries

Storm Petrel  2787329

Ringed  Strumble Head 30/07/2024

Re-encountered   Copeland Bird Obs, Down, Northern Ireland 03/08/2024 4 days 298km N

So far, 22 Storm Petrels  ringed at Strumble have been re-encountered elsewhere this year, a couple of new movements....

2787310 Strumble 28/07/2024 Bardsey Island, Gwynedd 15/08/2024 18 days 84km NNE

2739418 Strumble 18/07/2024 Bardsey Island, Gwynedd 16/08/2024 395 days 84km NNE

(Rich D and Wendy J)