April 2010

A mixed start of year with reasonable catches at the feeding station in Jan. and early Feb. was followed by several weeks of the coldest weather for 30 years. No catches were made during this period to allow birds maximum time to feed.

An exploratory roost catch was made on the evening of 8th. April, following sightings by Tony Crossman that 200+ Pied Wagtails were using the Phragmites Reedbed.
We were all surprised when c.300 Sand Martins dived in at last light. 28 Sand Martins were caught and ringed, plus one retrap which was ringed at an evening roost there in 2008, plus one control (ringing details awaited).
It appears that some migratory birds use the reedbed as a temporary roost as they return from their foreign wintering grounds, before dispersing to their particular breeding site. This catch of Sand Martins should prove interesting, as it is likely the birds will be retrapped at their breeding colonies, giving us information of where the birds caught in the autumn roosts at Chelmarsh actually breed.
2 early Chiffchaff were also caught on 8th.April.

No signs of the Cetti's which presumably succumbed to the extremely cold weather in February.