High Tide 3.81m @ 18:33, Sunset 16:09, Rendezvous 15:00
Setting mist-nets on Exminster Marshes © AJ BellamyA team of 13 assembled at 15:00pm at RSPB Exminster Marshes to set around the RSPB lagoon field pools for the first mist netting session on the Exe for winter 2024/25
Weather conditions were good, 12 degrees with wind dropping through the afternoon to relatively still by dusk. A full moon that rose at dusk did mean it was a brighter session than ideal, in combination with a rugby game at Exeter Chiefs stadium leading to a very bright sky at catch time, before the moon then disappeared behind clouds. The water level in the pools was high and only accessible with waders.
With a young team, with an average age under 30, nets were set in one field, a 'T' over the water totalling 6 wader nets a set of 4 nets on the far left bund and a set of 2 extra superfine nets for Snipe set by Noah on and adjacent to the near pool. A total of 13 nets were set, starting at 15:45 and was all completed by 16:30.
Setting mist-nets on Exminster Marshes © R Phillips
On the first net round at 17:15 just after dusk produced two birds. One from the far net set on the bund, a Lapwing and a second from the close net set, a Snipe. Tape lures were also put on at this time.
Adult male Lapwing ringed at Exminster Marshes © R Phillips
Lapwing being examined © R Phillips
Lapwing at Exminster Marshes © R Phillips
Juvenile Snipe © AJ Bellamy
The first net round at 17:40 after tapes had been placed produced a single Dunlin which was colour ringed as part of our project. The Following net round there was another single Dunlin, followed by one blank round, then a Dunlin and a Redshank with two more blank rounds to follow. After the two blank rounds the decision was taken to take down at 19:45 with no birds caught since 18:30, despite 3 tape lures still playing.
Three Dunlin colour-ringed at Exminster Marshes © R Phillips
Redshank © N WalkerThe very bright sky from the rugby combined with the moon, and limited number of waders present on the RSPB lagoon field meant any further catches was slim. At 19:15 we had an unusual vehicle driving up and down the canal path for almost an hour with very bright floodlights shingling across the area and a drone flying too, at this point any chance of further catches were lost.
With taking down of the nets all done by 20:30 and kit packed up all were off site by 9pm.
Robbie Phillips and Ellie Ness lead the team, despite the small number of birds it gave plenty of time for all to learn how to process with most birds ringed by new trainees along with 3 residential wardens that had joined from the RSPB Exminster team. New colour ringing processors were trained and all birds were efficiently processed within 20 minutes of capture before being released back onto the marsh.
Thanks are due to RSPB for granting access to their site for this work and for their assistance and support along with the help of the volunteer team that joined.
Report by Robbie Phillips