Wash Wader Ringing Group

Thursday 27th September

NAC did a dawn recci of Terrington marsh in force 7 north wind and driving rain. Not very successful as most birds were sat in small flocks wherever they could find shelter. At one point there were 400 Curlew on the top of the sea wall near the white barn but they left to land in the centre of a very smooth prepared field only to be put off by 5 Gannets flying out to sea from at least 2 miles inland. Arctic, Pomarine and Great Skuas were all seen flying along the line of the seawall. 
KS looked at the Snettisham area and found few birds in suitable catching sites as the tide was so high that there was no beach.

Concluded that we did not have a suitable catching option for Friday morning, so we would send extra help to the Lincs team and also do a major recci of Norfolk sites.

0p[oEvening tide recce. SD and all dogs went to do a quiet (!!) recce of Snettisham and Heacham looking for rising tide options. On arrival (c15:30) there were already c500 knot and a good mix of other small grey waders feeding on the mussel scar with very few oystercatchers. Tide edge was literally miles away. As tide rose, significantly more knot left the tide edge and came to feed on the mussel scare (c3k total). A pre-roost of c200 oystercatchers and 500 barwit formed off the end of the scar. Unfortunately, at the critical moment as the scar began to cover, a dog-walker went past whilst his boxer ran out to play with the birds which were much less keen on that idea. The oystercatchers departed towards Snettisham Pits whilst the knot and barwit went only as far as the bay off Snettisham beach where they were subsequently disturbed just as they were going to come up onto the beach – they left toward the Pits. Heacham Beach at this point had 20 oystercatchers in two small (!) flocks near the tump. Achieved wearing out the dogs but not finding a suitable catching option.

Friday 28th September

GFA checked Snettisham Heacham and found several options for up to 100 grey waders but in very unusual places. NAC covered Terrington again and found 3 flocks of ca500 curlew on fields but none in good catching locations. There were over 3,000 Redshank spread amongst the causeways but they were all over-washed so not suitable for catching. MW and SD reccied Holbeach and found a field with 10,000 Knot on it. There were no birds anywhere on Holbeach (C) or westwards towards the pumping station. The Knot field was the best option. Nets set on the Holbeach (E) Knot field in pouring rain. Continued to be wet during the afternoon. No catching attempt and tree surgery back at base had to stop due to chain saw failing to restart. No catching opportunity on Friday evening so the team enjoyed a good meal and a little to drink.

Saturday 29th September

Up 05:00 for hide party and 05:30 for the rest. Although contingency plans had been made to visit Heacham if the weather looked as though the Holbeach field would be too wet, it was decided it was probably just OK. Although the nets were set on the right field, it just did not happen! Four Merlin were present at one stage and the Knot did not come over. Curlew and Godwit preferred the other end of the field and various twinkles failed, KC was just not scary enough and other twinklers were distracted by skua watching!! Just 1 knot in the catching area all morning. As nets were packed up a single gannet was seen flying seaward over the field! GA had gone to Snettisham / Heacham to recce and reported:- Snettisham North; Up to 1000 birds present and up to 25 yards back from tide edge. By high tide these had nowhere to go and went south Heacham Far North; 260 Sanderling plus a few other odds and ends. Heacham South; The high tides had caused spectacular cliffing but few birds seen. The afternoon spent on further tree work with a successful bonfire to burn the cuttings. Two lines of mist nets set on Terrington saltmarsh before food at dusk.

Sunday 30th September

Up 05:00. At Snettisham and setting by 06:15. Set two small mesh nets well down beach. A few turnstone landed just as setting finished and when team in position 70 or so waders on beach. Base camp enjoyed good passerine migration with plenty of thrushes, pipits and finches and a pied flycatcher. Tried twinkling but most birds peeled off south towards Snettisham. Once the tide was close enough to catch, twinkled remaining birds. This got a few in front of net and fired.

Despite lack of birds decided to move remaining net back to previous morning tide line. Just after team back in position 5 Grey Plover landed fairly close to net. These were closely followed by 100+ Sanderling / Dunlin. As tide rapidly advancing twinkle initiated. Birds keen on place they were in and further passing flocks tended to draw birds away. Eventually some landed in the area and then some ran up the beach to be in the safety area. This resolved itself and a few more birds arrived so with nothing else about in the air and tide well advanced, fired.

By high tide, no beach left. Coastguard came by inspecting the sea wall. On the way back to base one car called in at the RSPCA to deliver a Puffin found on the beach. NAC reccied Terrington Pools. Lots of birds on tide edge on rising tide. At 1hour 20 minutes from tide first birds started landing on pool and within couple of minutes 1000. Numbers continued to build. Got to 1500 Dunlin, 250 Grey Plover, 200 Knot which stayed until pool eventually flooded. At Terrington Causeway, 400 Redshank but mainly on maram grass as causeway also went under. 24 Little Egrets of which 4 were colour ringed. NAC, PLI, SD and DK out to check pool for the morning and then joined by rest of team for mist net setting, all out from white barn. Food at base. Tape lures out 19:45

Monday 1st October

Up 06:15. Two small mesh nets set on pool reccied by NAC the previous morning. NAC observed from the seawall with the rest of the team close to the nets under camouflage. Although initially it looked promising with birds landing with or near the decoys larger flocks landed in deeper water outside the reach of the nets. Birds appear to favour forming a roost about half way along the windward side of the pool. A raptor was seen to fly low over the marsh spooking the birds on the pool and after that the bulk of the birds that returned landed in the middle of the pool with up to 10 in the catching area. MW went out on to the saltmarsh in a bid to improve the situation but failed to do so. Gave up not long after high tide. Most people had departed by mid afternoon but MW, DW and JC who had come with them, had an additional 24-hour stay as their car had developed a fault.