I took advantage of the easterly element in the wind today and strung up four nets in a row beside the western side of the sewage works. Normally, and frustratingly, the prevailing SW breeze up the valley concentrates the midges (and the Chiffchaffs) at the eastern end of the STW, where a public footpath makes netting impossible. The total catch was a respectable 48 birds, although only 19 of these were new. The total included 28 Chiffchaffs, a winter day record for the site, and 1 new Bullfinch, Reed Bunting and Goldfinch.
Other birds of note around the reserve were 3 singing Cetti’s Warblers, 2 singing Cirl Bunting, 2 Water rail, 2 Tawny Owl, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
The Early Worm 