Recce and ringing demo at Dyfi Osprey Centre

Yesterday I was kindly invited by Emyr Evans at the Dyfi Osprey Centre to undertake a bit of a recce to see if there was anywhere suitable to conduct some general mist-netting on the Cors Dyfi reserve to help assess the number and variety of birds present and with the eventual aim of perhaps training-up a few of the staff to undertake these activities themselves. A quick look confirmed that the site has huge potential and with the help of Alwyn, Janine and Maria six nets were quickly set along the boardwalks adjacent to areas of phragmites reedbed and willow carr. 

First net-round at Cors Dyfi - looks brilliant but 24 Blue Tits and 13 Chaffinches made up nearly half the total catch.

86 birds were caught in a couple of hours and despite the lateness of the season this included a few warblers -  8 Reed, 3 Sedge, 8 Willow,  9 Chiffchaffs and 2 Blackcaps. Most of the rest were Blue Tits, Great Tits or Chaffinches but there was a single Grey Wagtail, a species only recorded on site once or twice previously.

A bit ruffled but the greater coverts clearly show a moult limit identifying this Grey Wagtail as a bird hatched this year

The second half of the catch, those birds caught after the 10 am opening, were processed in front of some of the many visitors to the reserve and judging by the reactions and questions was much appreciated by all.

Demonstrating ringing a bird to the centre visitors and explaining the difference in wing formula between Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff

My apologies to the little boy who asked what bird was in the next bag and was a bit disappointed when it wasn't the Osprey I said it was!