A team of 5 ringers carried out a catch of waders at Harty. The weather was good for catching birds, with low cloud covering the near full moon and no wind. Rather damp at times, with all of the kit getting wet. The low cloud did reflect the light from the M&S depot across the Swale giving more light than expected around the nets.
A moderate catch was made with fewer birds than expected, especially of Dunlin, but an excellent selection of 7 species. The following birds were caught:
- Avocet 2 (both juveniles)
- Lapwing 1 (an adult male)
- Knot 2 (juveniles)
- Dunlin 14 (plus 3 retraps)
- Snipe 1 (adult)
- Bar-tailed Godwit 3 (all juveniles, plus 1 retrap)
- Redshank 7 (plus 1 retrap)
A total of 30 new waders plus 5 retraps. Three of the retraps were from earlier this season, all confirming their age and biometrics. One of the Dunlin was much older being ringed at Harty on 22 December 2011. The other older retrap was the Bar-tailed Godwit that was again ringed at Harty on 23 November 2011.