Holt Island Nature Reserve

Ringing Report 17 – 18 July 2024

The weather was very good, warm to hot and still. There is still some water lying in low areas, particularly towards the Backwater, the ground is still wet and the growth this year has been lush and tall.

The catch this month was mainly of young birds, very varied with a fair number of warblers.  The most numerous species was Blue Tit but there were better numbers of Great Tits than in the previous years. There are two groups of Long-tailed Tits.

The majority of birds caught were juveniles, about 90%. We have Reed Warbler breeding on the Island, about 8 to 9 pairs, mainly on the river side, along with Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. But no Cetti’s Warblers or Garden Warblers. All the resident species seem to have bred well this year, even Blackbirds which were seen but not caught.

Lots of butterflies were seen including Speckled Wood, Peacock, Red Admiral, Holly Blue, Comma and Small White. In addition Brown Hawkers were seen as were Common Blue Damselflies, Banded Demoiselle and Blue-tailed Damselflies. There were several Red Kite over the Hemingford Meadow along with Swifts.

Photo: Juvenile Long-tailed Tit

All photos taken 17 July 2024

birds © Julian Limentani; Muntjac and butterflies © Susan Limentani

Juvenile Blackcap

Comma, showing how it got its name (small C-shaped white mark on underside of wing)