30th September
Ringing this morning produced 36 new birds and 3 re-traps. I had 10 Blackcaps today, including a re-trap of an adult female first ringed in early May. New totals were Chiffchaff 17, Robin 5 and one each of Blue Tit, Great Tit, Reed Bunting and Goldcrest. The latter is the third this year, they are usually much scarcer. Robins are now way above the previous three years’ totals (36, 35, 36) at 60 – they have obviously had a very good year. Blackcaps similarly (84, 98, 77), now 135. Chiffs have passed both 2011 (116) and 2013 (169) and at 212 need another 34 to beat 2012 (Roger Peart).
26th September
Ringing this morning produced fewer birds than last week and no Blackcaps at all. There were 28 new birds including 23 Chiffchaffs, 2 Robins, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Long-tailed Tit and a Goldcrest (Roger Peart).
22nd September
There were 40 birds in the ringing nets this morning, all new, with 26 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps, a Willow Warbler, 2 Reed Buntings, 2 Great Tits, a Robin and a Wren. I have only caught 13 new Reed Buntings this year compared to 82 in 2011 and 42 in each if the last two years (Roger Peart).
19th September
An evening ringing session produced 38 new birds, with 7 Blackcaps, 26 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blue Tits, 1 Great Tit and 2 Robins. There was also a re-trapped Bullfinch (Roger Peart).
15th September
Serotine, caught in ringing nets at Longham Lakes, Dorset, 15/9/2014 (Roger Peart).
Ringing today was highly unusual for the first capture being a bat! A Serotine, one of the larger British species, it came out of the net fairly easily (sometimes they can be very difficult). Serotine has been recorded at Longham before.
As far as birds were concerned, there were 45 new birds and 1 recent re-trap Robin. Among the usual fare of 21 Chiffchaffs, 16 Blackcaps, 4 Reed Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers and a Robin was – 1 TREE PIPIT. This was a first for Longham! (Roger Peart).
Tree Pipit, Longham Lakes, Dorset, 15/9/14 (Roger Peart).
Meanwhile, the Black-necked Grebe was still on the South Lake. Best of the rest – 16 Shoveler and a single Snipe (George Green).
13th September
Black-necked Grebe showing well and lots of Little Grebes. Lancaster Bomber flew over (Martin Wood).
11th September
Ringing: A good morning, with 60 new birds- 31 Chiffchaffs, 16 Blackcaps, 5 Willow Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, Robin, Great Tit, a Song Thrush and a Goldcrest. The latter is slightly unusual here, I had just one last year and three in 2012 (Roger Peart).
The Black-necked Grebe was present again this evening by island from causeway. Also a Whinchat in scrub on east side. One Common Sandpiper. Still waiting for the big one! (Chris Parnell).
9th September
Ringing today produced a good total of 46 new and 4 recent re-traps. Highlights included 3 Swallows, 22 Blackcaps and 13 Chiffchaffs, plus one Redstart – probably my regular one for the year. The other surprise was two Reed Buntings in a net together, one with so much white on it that I was at a loss for a while as to what it was!
The Black-necked Grebe was still present on South Lake between the Causeway and the Main Island (George Green).
8th September
Ringing today was certainly different! This morning I caught 66 new birds and 7 re-traps!! That is my biggest total in a single session at Longham. New totals included 29 Blackcap, 14 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Robin, 2 each Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit and single Blackbird and Dunnock. One of the re-traps was interesting – a Chiffchaff ringed 13 Aug last year and not seen since. Nice to know it is still around.
There was a (young, I think) Tawny Owl calling just before first light, as on several previous session (Roger Peart).
Meanwhile, there was a Spotted Flycatcher (now a rarity here) along the west perimeter of LR South, together with 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Kingfisher and various waterbirds: 11 Great Crested Grebes, 8 Little Grebes, 10 Cormorants and 3 Gadwall. Butterflies included 1 Red Admiral, 1 Large White and 1 Brimstone (Trevor Wilkinson).
7th September
Wildfowl this afternoon included 13 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Little Grebes, 20+ Tufted Ducks, 3 Grey Herons and 6 Cormorants. Other bits and bobs were 16 Swallows, 1 Lapwings and 8 Goldfinches (Trevor Wilkinson).
6th September
A winter plumage Black-necked Grebe was present on LR South near the Causeway late this afternoon. Possibly last winter’s bird returning! Some evidence of wildfowl migration with 10+ Shoveler and 5 Teal. Nothing else of note (George Green).
5th September
1 Yellow Wagtail (Paul Boult).
3rd September
Ringing produced just 15 new birds and three re-traps, with Blackcaps still in the majority (6), Chiffchaff 4, Willow Warbler 2, Reed Warbler 2 and one Robin. I don’t know where all the birds have gone to from Longham this year (Roger Peart).