The totals ringed in April of the three common summer migrants in the garden were Chiffchaff 35, Willow Warbler 51 and Blackcap 53. In addition there were one Chiffchaff returning from last year, four Blackcaps returning from up to 3 years ago and the control of a Willow Warbler ringed in Guernsey in August 2015. The returning Blackcaps were retrapped on 7th, 12th and 13th April. The last winter Blackcaps were trapped on 14th, 22nd and 29th March.
Looking back, it is interesting to compare the ratios of these three migrants in April 1980’s with the percentage numbers this April. This April 25% of the catch were Chiffchaffs, 36% Willow Warblers and 39% Blackcaps. The comparable figures for the average of the Aprils in 1980’s were 15%, 72% and 13% respectively. This seems to illustrate the decline in the Willow Warbler numbers and the substantial increase in the Blackcap numbers over recent times.
It was a surprise to ring 5 Yellowhammers during the month and retrap one of two ringed in March. So what attracts these birds to the garden ? Perhaps they get what they ask for “a little bit of bread and no cheese” !