The project looking into the effects of the mosquito borne Usutu virus on survival rates of our local Blackbirds, in conjunction with the Zoological Society of London and the British Trust for Ornithology, is ongoing. If you see a colour ringed Blackbird please try & photograph the Red ring & if the inscription is readable please email us at landguardbo@yahoo.co.uk The more that can be learnt about this disease that has devastated Blackbird populations in the Low Countries & is now present in south-east England the better.
267 birds of 23 species is similar to recent years totals. Late Willow Warbler is worth highlighting. Redpoll numbers have been pathetic this year with Long-tailed Tit obviously having a poor breeding year as this flock was the only volery to appear all autumn.
