Wash Wader Ringing Group

Summary

Wash week this year started at the end of an exceptionally wet period with much of the grain harvest yet to be gathered and saltmarshes wet from rain rather than tides. The weather changed for the second half of the period becoming hot, dry and calm but also bringing high pressure which caused tides to cut. A determined effort was put in to making catches on the west (Lincolnshire) shore of the Wash, something we have not been able to do for a few years, and this paid off. Although there were, as always, a number of occasions when one could say "if only ….", the catching success was sufficiently good that reasonable samples were made of nine of the group's eleven study species. The totals for the week are given below:-

For all the detail, read on …

Saturday 28th August

Most of team arrived at base by 13:00. Pair of nets set towards the Bund on the Terrington saltmarsh (the "Redshank Set"). As there was a slight chance of catching, manned this set until tide. NAC got into the hide to find small numbers of Redshank building up slowly in the catching area. Eventually got 17 Redshank and one Ruff catchable. No more birds arrived and numbers slowly dwindled so the decision was taken to give up and go back to base for supper.

After supper the team went out to strim and set another pair of nets on the site where 2000 Dunlin were caught in 2003 (the "Dunlin Set"). Partially set with cables and jiggler being left until morning to try and avoid cattle problems.

Sunday 29th August

Both net sets manned on the morning tide.

"Redshank Set". NAC in the hide under cover of darkness. At first light it was clear there were a few Grey Plover in the catching area and these remained all morning. The only flock of birds that came anywhere near the nets were a flock of Golden Plover that showed no interest. Decided to wait 30 minutes before taking a consolation catch of the Grey Plover to see if anything else turned up. Something did turn up, 2 Peregrines talon grappling over the area and 25 Grey Plover took offence and left. It was clear though that we were set in the right place but the tide didn't come in enough to bring birds up the marsh.

"Dunlin Set". Finished setting and in position before first light. 1000 Dunlin and 200 Grey Plover formed a roost on a pool about 100 yards seaward of the catching area. No birds came up as high as the catch site. All birds stayed near the tide edge in Salicornia marsh as tide was not enough to push the birds up.

SD and MS left the rest of the team to look for options on the Lincolnshire side of the Wash. A report on the activity there follows at the end of this report.

Again, Both net sets manned on the evening tide

"Redshank Set" About to set decoys when the rain started. Abandoned setting decoys as it was clearly going to get heavy so returned decoys to base camp. NAC managed to get into the hide just as the heavens opened and we finished setting jigglers and cables just in time too. Once the heavens opened we couldn't see anything and considered calling it off because of the electric storm. Only rained for 15 minutes but the weight of the world had descended on NAC's head, and, realising that several gallons of water were resting on the hide roof he pushed it off… but ineffectively as it came through the windows of the hide getting him wet for the first time in that storm. Decoys set rapidly from base camp. Soon after a few Redshank landed in the catching area. Numbers then built rapidly and a flock of 40 landed bringing totals to 70. 50 soon left and it looked like the catching option for the evening had gone with them. Singles of Grey Plover appeared, and then a stream of Grey Plover came in off the tide edge. When a gap came there were 70 in the catching area and so the nets were fired. The majority of the birds in the landward net were around the pool of water and were lifted, an easy task having used the small mesh net. All birds taken behind the seawall for ringing and processing.

"Dunlin Set". Having put the decoys out team tried to get into position just as a deluge which had been expected to pass us by decided to pay a visit. One of the nets didn't have a circuit, which GC went to remedy. Team disappeared under the covering, which was not very effective in keeping rain off. Large numbers of birds on the right collecting on a pool on the edge of the Salicornia and spread along tide edge. Soggy decoys in the catching area were probably not that attractive to the birds so many were swapped after the storm. One Curlew landed in the catching area but no other birds showed any interest. After the "Redshank set" fired, carried on manning this set on the off-chance that birds would appear. Redshank spiralled into the catching area and just as JAC was in the midst of the countdown NAC phoned from the other set, delaying firing and gaining another 5 birds. All birds were in the centre of the catching area. On firing the nets didn't meet in the middle and the majority of the Redshank escaped from the centre.

Monday 30 August

Up horrendously early to go to Snettisham and set two full nets. Quickly found marker that JS had left during the recce. Became apparent during setting that the tide was rising incredibly quickly aided by an onshore wind at 45 degrees to the net. Set 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Whilst testing for circuits on the northern net, realised a flock of 40 Sanderling were watching avidly from 20 yards away. Rapidly got into position, moved upwind birds downwind with about 100 landing in the catching area but just too far seawards. Whole flock took off and moved 100 yards south, LW twinkled these north and when three quarters were in the catching area and spread between the two nets but with more in one net, these were fired. Wind held the nets up and about half the birds escaped. While extracting saw 800 Dunlin 200 yards away on the beach. Moved one net back to see if the Dunlin would move along. When almost set, all Dunlin left the beach so abandoned and took gear up and dealt with the catch.

Recces:(SD) and (DW)

Started at Boston end of Holbeach. Obvious that the bad weather had taken its toll on cereal crops in this area with very few stubble fields for birds to come onto. Went back to the causeway where it was clear that the marsh wasn't going to come close to covering. A fisherman on the causeway meant there were no birds there although it looked like an option as a few Redshank showed interest briefly. Just as about to leave and head south, saw a big swirl of godwit, c2000, spiralling down into what looked like a partially cultivated field to the north. Took a bearing and headed off to get a better look. Couldn't find any way to get near the field and without the benefit of the height of the seawall couldn't relocate it. Did however, find a disced stubble with 4000 Golden Plover and 100 Ringed Plover in two separate flocks. Well after tide by now so checked rest of Holbeach area for crop/field types before a flying visit to Boatmere to gauge water levels. 15-20 Greenshank on island straight out from hide and similar numbers of Black-tailed godwit (most if not all juvenile we think - but as binoculars had been intelligently left in the car not certain!) on another island in middle of pool. Water levels very high.

Further team members (JS, FL, SB, GC, KA, N) travelled to Lincolnshire to join SGD and MS.

Remaining Terrington team set on a the marsh out from the white barn, 50 yards seaward of the mist netting pool. No birds came near but a flock of 200 curlew did land close to the Dunlin set with up to a dozen in the area - with no nets set. Yet again there was a substantial rain storm once the decoys had been put out but it made no difference. The conclusion was that area of the marsh did not attract birds even though it was the highest point. Back to the base to dry the decoys again and a not very early night! Having driven along the seawall to gauge the extent of tide through the "Redshank set" NAC demonstrated an 'interesting' approach to descending off the seawall - rapidly over the side rather than slowly down the pull off.

Tuesday 31 August

Set on causeway by 06:00. In hide by 06.55! There was a real problem with visibility due to low sun and reflection off the water. A few birds began to land as the marsh went under but too far out, particularly with strong on shore wind. Worried that causeway would go under, so decided to delay firing until final position of tide known. Regularly gained a few birds. Once birds began to leave as fast as they arrived and the tide had turned, decided to fire. Most birds on the downwind side and many beat the net away. Having fired, NAC decided the catch was very disappointed so remained in the hide to watch the net before ambling back along the seawall. Arrived at the catch to realise he should have run! Good mixed catch of 7 species. On way back to base Sarah saw four fieldfares - definitely more like a winter trip than a summer trip.

Recces:

Afternoon set on the Terrington stubble, NAC strimming the entire catching area whilst the nets were set. Food consumed at edge of field. A bit late into hides and one bird in the catching area before we were in position. The hide team then watched an empty field until it was too dark to see. Meanwhile RW, JH, LN and TK had arrived at the farm gate to join the team. This they found locked despite assurances from the farm it would remain open. Fortunately the necessary farmer was found to resolve this.

Wednesday 1 September.

Manned the Terrington stubble field again with PLI, JAC and RD in hide watching the clap net pair. When Curlew did arrive they went straight on to the adjacent plough where they had been on the recce. Number increased to 3-400 and were left to settle before GDC sent to twinkle. Birds reluctant to leave plough but when they did showed little interest in catching area. Rest of tide spent on various twinkling attempts which resulted in 35 birds, mainly Curlew with a few Bar-wits, briefly in the catching area. Also one bird too close to a net to fire. Gave up shortly after high tide when reports from seaward was that lots of saltmarsh still exposed.

Recce:

On considering the options for catching, one new possibility was a visit to the Outer Bund where NAC had seen thousands of Oystercatchers. Consideration of the practicalities of getting there without a boat and the implications of lack of sleep for planned mist netting meant this was not followed through.

Evening off. Bar-b-que evening meal and then early to bed.

Thursday 2nd September

Most of team to Holbeach, hide party up 0500, followed by rest of team by 05:45.

On the field, decoys set in all four nets. A long time before any birds arrived and the first were Golden Plover. These then arrived in numbers, building up to 3-400, the main concentration being fairly close to the nets. About an hour before tide, grey waders finally did arrive - about 200 Grey Plover and some Knot and Dunlin. These went over the decoys but landed about 75 yards in front of nets. Left to settle in the expectation they would be joined by similar numbers of birds as seen the previous day on the recce. When these had failed to materialise, and there was no activity over the saltmarsh, half an hour before tide twinkling was considered. JG sent to opposite end of field to twinkle the grey waders. These reacted brilliantly and Grey Plover walked or ran towards the area. Got them over half the distance when suddenly all left and went determinedly seaward. Golden Plover flock was directly out from net so JG's attention was turned to this. Again they twinkled well and a small number in the area. Decided to twinkle some more and again this worked well. Got to somewhere between 20 and 40 catchable and NAC was just confirming what he thought was in when all left.

JG asked to stay where she was and waited to see if anything would come back. Two Golden Plover seen near the net but with no more about, the hide decided to give up. Hide party out of hide, only to see JG gesticulating. Radio communication established she had a flock of ca. 40 Golden Plover that were in a hollow and unseen by the hide. Again these twinkled well but left before reaching catching area. Gave up for the second time.

Additionally a team of four went to a Greenshank pool. Put down one narrow half net, balanced on grass. Small hide on sea wall so close that binoculars not required! Other two team members in pop-up hide in nettles. In position 06:35 and first bird in 07:40. Four birds landed on point briefly, two others briefly, then birds started to arrive and land on island one by one. Built up to 17 birds by 08:15. No more for next 25 minutes so decided to fire at 08:40. Net did not fire! After short panic realised that plug on top of cable now redundant. Plugged in to correct bit and fired. Whilst panicking, two extra birds had dropped in so fired on 19, but one escaped out to front and four out of side. Floated net ashore. All fully processed and colour ringed; all juveniles.

After breakfast, team split for evening mist netting. Anglia TV film crew also joined the team.

Terrington pools: - Set a total of 21 nets in three locations on the marsh. The "E" set of nets towards Kings Lynn caught most of the birds (probably 130). Nets out from the white barn where the ones that the film crew were taken to and probably caught 40-50 birds. Another set of four nets only caught 16 birds. All birds ringed and processed and back at base by 02.30.

Additionally a team of seven went over to Leverton saltmarsh. See Lincs notes here

The Lincs team were back and in bed by the time the Terrington team returned to base!

Friday 3rd September

Once again, team split into two.

Inner Bund :- up 05:45. JAC and PLI were wrapped into the hides following an efficient set. Birds started to come in beautifully with the first birds landing straight down from JAC's net and the bulk between the two hides with none in the nets. Built to 5-600 redshank, 100-150 Turnstone a handful of Ringed Plover and small numbers of Dunlin. Constantly had 20-50 birds coming up in front of JAC's net. Some 50+ birds were between catch and maximum extent markers but it was clear that the water wasn't going to make enough to push birds higher. SD twinkled from base camp through PLI's catching area which succeeded in filtering out the redshank and pushing quite a few turnstone in front of JAC's net. Given that the situation was not going to improve decided to fire and see how well the nets would go out. Small catch, but bigger than felt probable at time of fire. One Finnish ringed juvenile turnstone included in the catch.

Saltmarsh Pool:- up 06:00. Had to sort out equipment in the trailers first and still had to send someone back to base to get a spade! Set two nets on the pool edge. On setting hide, it was clear that birds were already in the catching area. Other birds landed elsewhere on the pool. Got up to c50 Redshank before a lift took them off. 30-40 Dunlin came in after the Redshank lifted. Most of the birds over the marsh were going onto pools near Kings Lynn. More birds began coming into the pool with the nets, mostly Dunlin and Redshank. Whilst this was going on it became clear that radio or phone communication between the hide and firing position wasn't possible so resorted to bellowing out of the hide. Film crew frantically fixed their camera in anticipation. Fired and very smoothly got birds into cages behind sea wall.

Sorting out the logistics for the rest of the trip took a considerable time. The tide height was predicted to be right for mist netting at Wainfleet and it had long been the intention to net there as well as Terrington. Additionally, SJD felt that there was the opportunity to catch Oystercatchers on the Wainfleet islands the following morning and further catching on the Terrington saltmarsh pools was a possibility. Add to this all the requirements to get equipment back in the right place and to allow for people's travel plans, it became very complex. However, it proved possible to get sufficiently strong teams to achieve all these, and a quick phone call confirmed a farmer was happy for tents to be used for overnight accommodation for those at Wainfleet.

Consequently the Wainfleet team sorted out what they needed and departed 16:00. The remaining team set mist nets on two pools at Terrington, the usual one with an 'E' shaped set of nets and on another pool further out to sea due to the low tide. After food, nets manned but fewer birds were caught than the previous evening, probably due to the lower tide and bright full moon.

Saturday 4th September

Terrington team up at 06:30 and three small mesh nets set at the side of a pool not previously used for cannon netting. PLI and CW in hide on sea wall with rest of team under camouflage netting on the saltmarsh. As anticipated, birds did leave the saltmarsh edge and come to the pools. Although an initial flock landed elsewhere, dunlin soon joined the decoys with about 30 catchable. After some time, a further movement of birds had a sizeable flock joining those already in the pool. The number catchable had built to about 100 Dunlin with 20 Grey Plover and PLI was thinking of firing when a suitable gap in birds landing occurred when most lifted. CW was sent from the hide to twinkle birds from an adjacent pool but this did not add to the birds left in the catching area. As high tide approached and no further movement decided to take what was already present.

Back at base by mid-day. After food the job of sorting out the equipment and cleaning the house was done, being completed by the time the Wainfleet team returned with their equipment.