Holme Pierrepont, Sunday 23 September

Duncan, Tom and myself met at 06.30 in the car park. As it was getting light we could see the sky was clear but there was strong easterly breeze. We set 8 nets as I thought that would be enough for the 3 of us to handle in case we hit a tit flock (we could hear Long-tailed Tits around).

It proved to be a good decision, as the first net round we has caught 39 birds in the long line of nets. Things slowed up a lot after that as the wind got stonger and a Sparrowhawk got out just as I got my fingers on it.

The first Cetti's Warbler for the site this year was a bonus, and a new species for Tom. A few Swallows and a Common Sandpiper overhead were the only other birds of note.

The catch was (ringed/retrapped): Long-tailed Tit 15/7, Chiffchaff 1/1, Wren 1/0, Blackcap 6/0, Dunnock 1/0, Robin 2/1, Reed Bunting 1/1, Blue Tit 5/1, Sedge Warbler 1/0, Cetti's Warbler 1/0, Reed Warbler 2/0, Great Tit 2/0 and Blackbird 0/1. A total of 50 birds caught, very good for this time of year in windy conditions.

Gary