Nets: 240' Tapes: Goldcrest/Chiffchaff mix, Redwing, Redpoll, Pied Wagtail
Ringers LL, CMS
Slightly breezy
A work party was planned for today starting at 10am so Claire and thought we might get a bit of ringing in first. Given the problem with hornets last Sunday we stayed away from that side of the site and tried the new net under the trees. The tape of male Tawny Owls illicited a response from two males either side of the net line but they didn't come close. We switched to female calls but this did not have the desired effect either and by now it was getting light. We tried Redwing tape and this did have the desired effect with our first Redwing of the autumn - a clear adult with a small amount of fat. We also caught a number of Goldcrests and their weights were much lower than last week, three were less than 5g.
The Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT) warden and volunteers arrived while we were packing up and we were able to show them a few birds before we got on with the hard work of cutting reed as part of HMWT's ongoing conservation work at Marsworth.
Species
|
Row total
|
New Bird
|
Retrap
|
Blackcap
|
1
|
1
|
|
Blue Tit
|
1
|
1
|
|
Goldcrest
|
10
|
9
|
1
|
Great Tit
|
2
|
2
|
|
Redwing
|
1
|
1
|
|
Robin
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
Wren
|
9
|
6
|
3
|
Totals
|
26
|
21
|
5
|
The reed bed at Marsworth is becoming increasingly dry as the fallen reed builds up over the years. To help the reed bed remain vigorous we cut an area of fallen reed with brush-cutters and raked up the cuttings and as much of the dead reed bed as possible. We also cut some channels into the reed from the water's edge which will will become wet as the water level rises over winter. This is to improve the habitat for Bitterns that over-winter at Marsworth and also gives better views for bird-watchers.
 |
| Large area of dry fallen reed cut and cleared |
 |
| Reed cleared to encourage growth next year |
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| Channel cut into the reed bed to improve the habitat for bitterns |
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| HMWT Warden, Josh |
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