This was the first visit to Skylarks NR for a few weeks, necessitating some ride clearance before nets could be set. The catch was wind affected at first, with more vegetation than birds finding the nets. A Sedge Warbler was the first bird of note.
Although none were caught, there were Song Thrushes singing and it was interesting to see an egg shell, although it appeared to have been predated.
Having caught approximately 50 birds at this site end of May 2020, and 30 by the beginning of June 2022, numbers were definitely down, as we finished on 21 birds. The species caught included Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Wren, Dunnock, Bullfinch, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Not many juveniles were caught, though we did catch two feisty juvenile Blue Tits.
The bird of the day was a Jay which had been heard and luckily found the net. It is always nice to see the remarkable plumage close up, for such an elusive bird.
Of note, a group of three Reed Warblers were caught, one of which was ringed at the same site, exactly 3 years earlier on 28 May 2020. A second had been caught there twice before, in August 2021 and June 2022.
Sue Lakeman
