What a good friday!

It ended up being a very hot day but it started off quite cool and very still. Today was all about migrants. Whitethroats have been around for at least a week, Sedge Warblers have started arriving, more Grasshopper Warblers, Chiff Chaff's are singing away. Add in a few locals and that would complete my day's ringing at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve.



Above: This Grasshopper Warbler was the last bird caught.



Above: A Grasshopper Warbler. 2 were ringed today - these being the 3rd and 4th ringed on site since I started ringing there a year ago.

The 'groppers' were singing all morning with at least 3 males around the ringing area.



Above: A Sedge Warbler - arrived between visits. One was a recapture from last year - 10/06/10. I know it has probably travelled a few thousand miles since first ringed but where has it been?



Above: A male Great Spotted Woodpecker with a false Brood Patch (obviously this modern male is helping out with the incubation duties!).



Above: A Chiff Chaff

In order of appearance: 14 birds of 7 species (retraps in brackets):

Great Spotted Woodpecker 0 (1)
Whitethroat 4 (0)
Blue Tit 0 (2)
Sedge Warbler 1 (1)
Chaffinch 1 (1)
Grasshopper Warbler 2 (0)
Chiff Chaff 1 (0)

A Cuckoo was heard briefly early morning & mid morning. A Jay was heard too. A female Mallard was on the river with 7 ducklings and 2 hares were seen.

I couple of impromptu 'ringing demonstrations' were held and I explained why we ring to a group of birders who came by, unfortunately whilst there were no birds. Sadly, all but me missed the ringing Grasshopper Warblers!