Willow Warblers appear to have had a most successful breeding season, at least judging by the numbers ringed by the group. At Leighton Moss where ringing effort is similar each year we ringed only 75 in August 2009 but no fewer than 315 this year. There was a very marked passage during the last few days of August which has continued with slightly lower numbers into early September by the 4th we had ringed 393in total. At Heysham and Middleton there has been a simialr increase, only 10 in August 2009 but 43 this August.
Chiffchaffs have also been passing through although in smaller numbers. Their main passage is usually early to mid September but we ringed 42 this year in August compared with 32 last August.
By contrast Reed and Sedge Warblers after an excellent early season have droppedoff markedly in August compared to other years, possibly the second broods failed during the wet weather in July and August.
John
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