Post date: Aug 10, 2012 4:45:03 PM
Since I started ringing regularly during this migration season, the results have been mixed, with some very poor sessions and others more exciting. Last wednesday, I had the very worst ringing session ever during summer period, with only seven (!!!) birds caught at my line B, three of which were the exotic Yellow-crowned Bishop (Euplectes afer)! This is, of course, the result of last year's big fire, from which the reed bed hasn't recovered yet, and the fact that most reed bed is absolutely dry, and has been so for months now. This means that there is very little food, and the migrants (as well as non-breeding local birds) rapidly move on to better sites. I've been collecting blood from this exotic species for a malaria study, but have more than enough samples now, and decided to give up ringing at Line B until it becomes wet.
On the other hand, the other ringing site is improving substantially, as the water coming from the rice fields is occupying Aquatic Warbler's (Acrocephalus paludicola) favorite habitat (although the constant effort line is still dry). This is one of the main target species, in order to further understand its migration strategy and stopover behavior. The other main species, the Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus), has been seldom heard, and no birds have been caught recently.
Results from the last ringing sessions (since 30 July; 6 sessions) are presented below (retraps between parenthesis). This week I did not have the help of my trainees (EC and CC), but was visited by both Peter Fearons and TVB on Monday, and by Afonso on Friday (today). Highlights are the captures of three Aquatics, the first on the 3rd of August and two today, and the control of a Sedge Warbler with a ring from Belgium (also today). Grasshopper (Locustella naevia) and Willow (Phylloscopus trochilus) Warblers are also back, on their migration to sub-Saharan Africa.
Acr. paludicola 3
Acr. schoenobaenus 18 (1 Belgium)
Acr. scirpaceus 54 (20)
Aeg. caudatus 1
Cet. cetti 1
Cis. juncidis 6
Eup. afer 13
Hip. polyglotta 5
Hir. rustica 1
Loc. luscinioides 8 (2)
Loc. naevia 3
Lus. megarhynchus 1
Mot. flava 1
Par. caeruleus (1)
Par. major 5
Pas. montanus 1
Phy. ibericus 1
Phy. trochilus 6
Sax. torquatus 1
Syl. atricapilla 4 (3)
Tro. troglodytes 2
Tur. merula 5 (3)
Recent interesting observations made at Salreu include a Black Stork (seen by EC and CC), three Great White Egrets, up to 15 Glossy Ibis, Woodchat (2 juvs) and Southern Grey Shrikes (both of which do not breed locally), and a Great Spotted Cuckoo (the latter seen today).
JMN