brewood ringers

We had a great session this morning (29th June). A couple of nets were left unset because we only had 3 folk available--but 54 new birds were ringed in lovely clear weather. Especially as the sun warmed up and insects became active--so did the warblers and we ended up catching 7 Blackcap, 7 Sedge warblers, 6 Garden warblers, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Reed warblers, 5 Chiffchaff (and 5 Bullfinch). We generally assume that at this time of year we are only catching birds from the immediate vicinity. However, Willow warblers did not breed on site this year--we caught 3 this morning and best of all we caught a stunning full adult male Redstart, the nearest breeding of which is on Cannock Chase about 10 miles away. The good catches, plus birds such as the Redstart vindicate the decision to start early this year. The only slight disappointment so far is the smaller than expected numbers of juvenile Chiffchaff around. Lots of adults singing and evidence of early breeding have not (yet?) resulted in big numbers of young birds around. We hope they are all raising second broods at the moment-time will tell.