Saturday 18th

Up 05:00. Accessing the part of the beech used for catching gave the opportunity to look towards the catching area from the seawall and note there were birds in front of the nets, albeit well below them. RR was dropped off to look what happened to the birds still on mudflats off Snettisham North as the tide came in and SD to observe the catching area from the south. Rest of the team to base by the tump except PLI who observed the nets from the north and DC and BW who did the long-stop role at that end.

At this stage the tide was still 20+ metres from the nets. The majority (400) of Oystercatchers were in the area of the nets, most directly in front. There was also a flock of grey waders between PLI and the nets plus another 100 Oystercatchers SD's side of the nets. With grey waders a higher priority than Oystercatchers, discussing when was best to move them when the grey wader flock lifted of its own accord. This did what was required putting the grey waders, Bar-tailed Godwit, in front of the catching area but closer to the tide than the Oystercatchers. At this stage there was approximately equal numbers of each species with half the flock in front of the two narrow full nets, SD's end of the line of nets.

The flock lifted several times, presumably as a result of wave action, and gradually most moved south and joined the other Oystercatcher flock. SD made her presence known in order to encourage the birds back towards the catching area but many departed. For a while only a couple of birds were in front of the nets but about 120 Oystercatchers and 70 Bar-tails returned and settled in front of two of the small mesh nets and one of the narrow full nets. The tide was still 12 metres from the nets and with the Bar-wit in particular at the tide edge it was necessary to wait for them to be pushed closer. By 15 minutes before high tide the tide did not seem to be advancing much and the birds had moved to between 8 and 10 metres from the net, the limit to which we expect to catch, so decided to fire the two small mesh nets with birds in front. The nets went out well, catching all the birds directly in front.

Returned to base for breakfast and a discussion on plans. Whilst RR had been watching at Snettisham both the Oystercatchers and some of the Knot had come ashore rather than fly south initially but had gradually departed well before high tide. Similarly, we knew the Bar-tailed Godwit tended to depart before high tide and the time we could catch the using the conventional technique of setting the net just above high tide. One option was to set, after the evening high tide, well down the beach for a rising tide catch in the small mesh nets which are easier to extract from. Mist netting on the evening tide was in doubt as the wind, currently strong, was only scheduled to reduce early evening. Looking at the timings and the need for at least some sleep meant that it would be difficult to do both mist netting and a morning rising tide catch. Decided to risk the wind being OK for mist netting and not make a catching attempt on the morning tide.

Sorted equipment and made a start on reducing the height of the beech hedge at base before departing to set shortly after 16:00. Starting to actually set was delayed as due to a misunderstanding no guy cords had been packed! This rectified, nets were set on two pools (or rather what was left of pools, it having been dry recently). Food prepared by BW and LM, followed by KCs birthday cake eaten at base before manning the nets.

The wind gradually improved during the evening allowing a reasonably successful catch to be made.