Vis mig close-up

Juvenile Garden Warbler

Saturday was yet another early start, this time up at 4am and on site just after 5am to erect the nets before the trainees arrived. A really great day, with 42 birds (36 new ones), glorious sunshine and no wind to speak of. Of the total, 23 birds were warblers; 3 Reed, 1 Lesser, 5 Common, 5 Garden, 8 Blackcap & 1 Chiff. The young Garden Warblers (above) were all "full of fat", i.e. ready for a sizeable journey across the sea towards Africa.

Myvisiting cook, collecting "food for free", e.g. Blackberries
for my tea, beside nets 3 & 4

One of the reasons why we are able to catch good numbers of birds, which are about to migrate, is because of the good number of really 'plumptious' Blackberries here. The western side of the line of nets faces banks of Blackberries or Elders, whereas the other side is mainly Hawthorn and Dog Rose. As the public are excluded from the area, the birds only have to compete with rangers, ringers and ex-wardens - who know not to decimate the berried bushes , but only take enough for a pie or two! [In this case, also 12 lbs of Blackberry & Apple jam]

Note: Decimate in Roman times meant to kill every tenth man.