Birds: Ringing Report 2005
Glyne Gap Marsh
Bird ringing took place throughout the year and some interesting species were caught.
In January and February, 3 visits took place but no birds were caught. The problem with ringing in the open field appeared to be that the target species did not respond to the tape lures after late December, this has been noted on other species at other sites. To improve the chances of catching birds during this time, and also to facilitate ringing when the field is being grazed a 100ft long net run was set in the reed-bed next to the field along the ditch edge. This run was first used on 20th April.
The generally dry weather throughout the year did not help the numbers of wetland birds using the site throughout the year, however it became apparent during the latter 3 months of the year that very few snipe were using the field.
A walk through the field in early 2006 showed very little exposed mud with long grasses dominating all the traditional wet hollows. This can be put down to the fact that the field was not grazed this year and it may be that in future, if grazing does not take place, some management of these hollows will be needed to expose mud and therefore provide feeding areas for Snipe and Jack Snipe, species that used to be so much of the ornithological interest here during the winter months. The management work needs to be little more than scraping or raking the grass off the bottoms and edges of these hollows, it may be of benefit to do this even if grazing has occurred just to make sure the birds have enough feeding areas.
The ringing set up
Throughout the year there were two net runs used. A 60ft/40ft dogleg in the field along the ditch edge, which we have used since 2004 and the new 100ft straight run along the ditch edge in the reed-bed.
Whether any improvements or additions to the net runs occur in the future will probably depend on how the developments and aspirations of the Countryside Park affect this area. Any additions will probably only affect the reed-bed as unless huge numbers of nets are employed in the field little additional information will be gained, or a hollow is scraped creating very good habitat, this may then well be worth targeting.
The ringing report
During the year there was a total of 10 visits during which 26 birds of 15 species were caught. Although the numbers were not high the real interest in ringing this site is the variety and number of marshland specialist species caught. Due to the limited area it is surprising that no birds have been caught more than once, especially Blackbirds and Wrens which will often remain in the same area all year.
The numbers in brackets are the yearly total followed by the running total.
Moorhen
Yearly total: 2
Running total: 2
A new ringing species for site, 2 both 1st winter birds being caught in the reed-bed run on 20th November they were flushed from the ditch and flew into the nets. Both these birds were probably bred on site.
Water Rail
Yearly total: 1
Running total: 1
A new ringing species for site, an adult male was caught on 20th November attracted to the reed-bed run by an experimental CD of various reed-bed bird species.
Snipe
Yearly total: 1
Running total: 3
Only one was caught this year responding to tape. It was attracted to a small hollow that had been cleared of grass on 20th November.
Only 2 other snipe were noted between October and December.
Meadow Pipit
Yearly total: 2
Running total: 2
2 birds were attracted to tapes in the field on 9th October.
Wren
Yearly total: 2
Running total: 2
2 wrens were caught during the year, both from the reed-bed run on 9th October and 20th November.
Robin
Yearly total: 2
Running total: 2
A total of 2 birds were caught during the year both from the reed-bed run on 29th May and 11th December.
Stonechat
Yearly total: 1
Running total: 3
An immature bird was caught on 9th October; this date could mean it was either a migrant or a locally bred bird. Subsequent visits showed very few wintering birds making only erratic appearances here this year.
Blackbird
Yearly total: 3
Running total: 4
This was the 2nd most trapped species this year with 3 being caught all from the reed-bed run on 23rd June, 21st August and 11th December.
Cetti's Warbler
Yearly total: 2
Running total: 2
2 birds were trapped, both from the reed-bed run on 21st August and 9th October.
Reed Warbler
Yearly total: 1
Running total: 1
Only one was caught, on 21st August and this is the first time a Reed Bunting has been trapped for ringing.
Chiffchaff
Yearly total: 1
Running total: 1
One Chiffchaff was caught in the reed-bed on 9th October.
Goldcrest
Yearly total: 0
Running total: 0
No birds of this species were caught this year.
Bearded Tit
Yearly total: 2
Running total: 2
This now appears to be the only site in Hastings where this species breeds. 2 pairs are known to have bred and up to 6 wintered here between October and December. The 2 birds caught in the reed-bed run on 20th November were attracted by the same CD as the Water Rail.
Jay
Yearly total: 1
Running total: 1
The Jay caught in the reed-bed on 23rd June was unusual as it is a bird more suited to mature woodland, especially during the breeding season.
House Sparrow
Yearly total: 1
Running total: 1
An adult female was caught in the reed-bed on 29th May. This species occurs in good numbers around this site but very rarely enter the reed-bed.
Reed Bunting
Yearly total: 4
Running total: 4
Rather encouragingly this was the most trapped species this year, with 4 caught. A pair were caught on 20th April from the reed-bed where a juvenile bird was also caught on 21st August probably being raised on site. Another Reed Bunting was also caught in the field on 9th October.
Other sightings
The field was generally poor for waders this year with max of 15 Snipe and 1 Jack Snipe on 1st January. On the same date 2 Water pipits and 17 Red wings were noted. 2 Cetti's warblers were noted in January and these remained all year in fact this number increased as at least 2 pairs and probably 3 pairs bred here. A kingfisher was also seen at various times throughout the year.
A Ruff paid a brief visit at high tide on 13th January with 64 Lapwing moving around all the fields in the area and 2 Sparrowhawks were observed hunting the marsh on the same day.
Snipe numbers increased in February with a maximum of 37 on 12th. The Jack Snipe was also seen again. 2 Chiffchaff appeared on 12th as well and several others were noted around Hastings and Bexhill at the same time time possibly related to the increase in the wintering population in the UK and Northern France starting their migration early.
Migration started in March with 17 Snipe and a Little Stint being noted on 14th - an indication of the potential for waders on this site as they were flushed from the banks of the ditch.
A Grasshopper Warbler was noted on 20th April.
An incomplete breeding survey produced 3 or 4 pairs of Reed Warbler, 2 pairs of Sedge Warbler, 2 or 3 Cetti's Warbler and single pairs of Whitethroat and Chiffchaff. 5 or 6 pairs of Reed Bunting were noted and 2 or 3 pairs of Bearded Tits. Also seen were 2 pairs of Water Rail, 3 or 4 pairs of Moorhens and 2 or 3 pairs of Mallard.
August was very quiet but a Green sandpiper and a Cuckoo were seen on 21st.
An exceptional day occurred on 28th Sept when a female Merlin was watched hunting over the marsh and a Buzzard, an Osprey and a Marsh Harrier were seen moving South together.
Late autumn and winter were very disappointing, with up to 6 Bearded Tits, 1 or 2 Snipe, up to 3 Water Rails and 3 Cetti's Warblers being the only species of note, apart from Kestrel and Barn Owl seen hunting the field on every visit from October onwards.
Habitat management and suggestions
As noted, some of the hollows in the field could do with scraping to create feeding opportunities for waders, although unless a large area was cleared it would really only benefit the snipe species that occur. At one time there were 100 plus Snipe and up to 5 Jack Snipe here.
The reed-bed area manages to maintain water a lot better than the nearby Filsham reed-beds Local Nature Reserve whether this area could be managed, with the reeds being cut occasionally or areas being compartmentalised so some areas could be kept very wet during the summer (even turning one into a small pond) as this would benefit wildlife, are projects that the Countryside park committee would need to address.
Wildlife
