Sunset at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve

I'm a week late in posting this, but this spectacular sunset at Sandy Smith Nature Reserve was observed and photographed last weekend (20th October).

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I've been a bit quiet on the blogging front for a while. Sorry about that if you tune in regularly! There's been a few minor things to tell/show you, but I've been trying to rest (in between ringing sessions and working), plus I can't get the photographs of my SD card at the moment (will have to buy another SD card reader or get/find a cable!).

I've also been analysing data, making submissions and putting this years CES (scientific survey) at Priory Country Park into context - one of the worst in the last 20 years for total numbers of birds ringed/retrapped and many species have suffered, but not all and it probably seems worse than it actually is.

A brief mention of the weather - at the end of the day, I've still managed a lot of ringing sessions at the weekends inbetween downpours, with some highlights. One of these came yesterday:

Above: This photograph of a Jay ringed at Priory Country Park is courtesy of Dave Kramer.

Only the second Jay ringed at Priory Country Park. Probably one of many that are currently migrating across the country at the moment (though one can't be sure it isn't local, British or foreign as it didn't have a ring and it certainly didn't tell me!).

A Reed Warbler at Priory Country Park (also yesterday) was very late and represents the latest ever ringed at the site. Yesterday was a lovely day, very calm and pleasant. I almost forgot to mention the Woodpigeon I ringed last weekend and the Green Woodpecker I renewed acquantainces with (first ringed by me in 2011) - photographs in the camera!

Moving on to Sandy Smith Nature Reserve (SSNR), Whitethroats have been the biggest loser to the weather and numbers have crashed there this year. A bit of context though as last year appeared exceptionally good so they had a long way to fall! A new species was added to the site list last month in the form of one of our smallest birds - the Goldcrest. Of course, this is another of the photographs stuck on my camera for the moment. 2 were ringed last month on separate days.

A Chiffchaff ringed at SSNR has been recovered somewhere, I am told - we know not where, yet - but given the species, it has the potential to be an interesting movement.

Otherwise totals have been ticking over, as is time - the weekend is over and it's back to work!