Wash Wader Ringing Group

Friday 4th November

Recces done by PLI (Snettisham / Heacham) and NAC (Terrington) Snettisham (North); On arrival at 06:40, 800 small waders, mainly Sanderling but possibly with Dunlin as well. These soon left north leaving 50-60 Grey Plover and 50 Sanderling. As the tide progressed these formed a tighter flock.
Heacham (South); Nothing.
Heacham (North); Although not visited, CK reported the flock of Sanderling that normally roosts there had been harassed by Peregrine and Sparrow Hawk in recent days. It is likely that these were the birds seen departing north earlier.
Terrington; Lots of Curlew, Grey Plover and Redshank in Spartina or on the tide edge. Nothing came higher on to the marsh but this may have been affected by presence of wildfowlers. 2000 or more Pink-footed Geese flying inland.
Port Sutton Bridge; Despite lots of spilled grain no Turnstone using the dock.

PLI called at Tesco for the food shopping and then joined NAC at base. Sorted out the setting gear and then started work on the lean-to shed at the far end of the annex. Since enough people were able to be present by mid-afternoon, and the relative tide heights allowed it, decided to set during the afternoon. In practice did not depart for Snettisham until 16:00 so, although the position of the nets could be sorted in daylight, the setting finished in darkness. The strong wind made dealing with the netting difficult. Four narrow full length nets set.

Arrangements made by phone with JAC to purchase Chinese food on her way to base, so with the net setting out of the way the team had a relaxing evening.

Saturday 5th November

Up 05:00. Wind still strong but dry. PLI and JB at firing position. NAC went to check Heacham South, JG acted as long-stop at the Snettisham end of the beach and the rest of the team were behind the nets. Initially there were a number of flocks with Oystercatchers in front of nets 1 and 2, more Oystercatchers in front of and just beyond net 4, and then a further group of Oystercatchers with some grey waders about three net lengths further on. At this stage the tide was 15 yards from the nets. Although grey waders were a higher priority than Oystercatchers it was seen as a high risk strategy to try to move them so things were left alone to see how it developed. The answer was that gradually birds left the beach although those in front of net 1 stayed longer than most. With fewer birds present and still some grey waders near JG she was asked to twinkle these. As expected these peeled off and went south rather than join birds near or in the catching area.

Hopes were briefly raised that some more birds might come to the beach when a huge swarm of Knot was seen in the distance, something obviously having disturbed them at Snettisham pits. Large skeins of Pink-footed geese were flying inland at the same time. However nothing further did arrive on the beach, leaving a small group just out of net 4 and some Knot at the junction of nets 2 and 3. Further twinkling by JG to get the small group in to net 4 failed. By now it was nearing high tide and the water had only just reached the point where it was close enough to catch the birds on the tide edge. Knowing there were a couple of people at base who had never seen a net being fired they were invited to come to the observation point before the countdown was given and the net fired.

Returned to base for breakfast and consideration of plans for the rest of the weekend. Going on-line confirmed that the wind was going to be marginal for mist netting and that rain was expected from mid evening and well in to Sunday. With no birds on Heacham and those on Snettisham having left well before high tide, the possibility of catching on the rising tide was considered, but with the poor weather forecast, was discounted. Eventually decided to eat at 16:00 which would give enough time to set mist nets after eating should the weather look as though this would be OK.

Several people visited Titchwell for the afternoon to see if any Twite were present and the rest stayed at base and got several jobs done. By teatime the wind was still marginal for mist netting as far as could be told at base. Hence after the first course NAC and PLI went to the saltmarsh to see what it looked like there. This also coincided with the first rain shower which further dampened enthusiasm. Decided not to mist net so returned to base for the second course and a glass of wine!

Evening spent on further jobs, including mist net manufacture and dealing with data.

Sunday 6th November

Although there had been several heavy showers overnight it was not actually raining when people got up but the wind was strengthening and continued to do so through the morning. Bacon and egg butties for breakfast and departure for all before mid-day.