Haddiscoe Island with East Norfolk RG

Once again I was able to borrow a brush-cutter to cut the ringing rides in the reed bed ringing site that East Norfolk RG operate on Haddiscoe Island. Dave had also brought a slasher and was already hard at work when I arrived. The brush-cutter made short work of the cutting and with the rides cleared nets were soon erected. A few birds were caught and processed before we furled up and left the growing cloud of mosquitos and midges to find an alternative food source.

We both arrived early on Sunday morning to open up and set tape lures playing. We also knew that we would have a short catching window as gusting winds were forecast for mid-morning. Juvenile Acrocephalus warblers were soon on the move and Bearded Tits responded to our tapes a little later.

Juvenile Reed Warbler

On one net round I came across two juvenile Starlings which must have got trapped when a small flock flew over the top of the reeds. I managed to extract and bag them up before Dave came along ensuring that he had a surprise to look forward to when processing the catch. They were smart birds just starting to gain their characteristic iridescent spotted plumage.

Juvenile Starlings

Totals - 62 New, (1) retrap

Sedge Warbler - 17

Reed Warbler - 26, (1) originally ringed at the site in 2007.

Bearded Tit - 15

Starling - 2

Reed Bunting - 2