CES Day 2 - A Record Breaker!

CES days two and three are usually quieter days because half the population is sitting on nests.  Not yesterday it would seem.  In 20 years the largest total ever recorded on day two is 172 – and that was in 1996!  Yesterday’s total, which is not yet complete, stands at 228 which is quite remarkable, and that is with only the essential CES nets unlike previous years!

Not only was yesterday a record breaker for totals, it was also unique for species and once again controls!  Twenty four species were seen in the ringing room and there were at least three controls of a Sedge Warbler, Siskin and Lesser Redpoll.  The Belgian Lesser Redpoll caught at the first CES session put in another appearance - it seems to have settled nicely at Foxglove!

Even more remarkable was the fact we caught 20 Sedge Warblers which is unheard of!  We have ringed less than 40 at FGC in 20 years!

Three Spotted Flycatchers and another 71 Lesser Redpoll were caught of which 48 were new and one was five years old!  Whitethroat, Garden Warbler and Blackcap were also ringed as well as 24 Willow Warblers.

Surprisingly no Chiffchaff were caught, although they were heard singing throughout the day.  A retrapped Marsh Tit was seven years old - and a new one was ringed.

Yet again a fantastic effort from everyone involved - thank you all for your hard work during the day!