Sylvias Still Dominate...Just

This morning I met Graham and Ian at 5:30 a.m. for another ringing session at one of the pools at the Obs. We were greeted with 6 oktas cloud cover and a 10 mph southeasterly wind. The cloud cover gave some welcome cool relief to the recent hot weather, but within an hour or so the sun dispersed the cloud and it was a tad warm again!

There were a few more signs of autumn this morning including the first few Pied Wagtails flying over, dispersing from their overnight roost. On the subject of Wagtails a single Grey Wagtail over was another autumnal sign, as was the single Snipe that left the pools to head out towards the river/saltmarsh to feed.

From a birding perspective the pickings were slim and trying to pick out some highlights from my notebook isn't easy. Grasshopper Warblers always delight and a distant 'reeling' bird brought a smile to my face, as did a Great Spotted Woodpecker that dropped in to some Willows. Formerly scarce at the Obs, they still turn my head because of this!

We ringed thirteen birds as follows (recaptures in brackets):

Reed Warbler - 3 (1)
Lesser Whitethroat - 2
Cetti's Warbler - 1 (1)
Blackcap - 3
Whitethroat - 1
Greenfinch - 1
Wren - 1
Song Thrush - 1

 Blackcap

 Cetti's Warbler

Last weekend it was a real Sylvia fest with 57% of the catch being Sylvia warblers. This week the percentage of Sylvia had dropped to 46%, but they still dominated...just!

Work and a beer festival in The Lakes towards weekend will curtail my natural history outings this week, but I do have a bird survey or two to do in north Cumbria so hopefully there will be something to fill my notebook with and ultimately make it on to here!