A Better Than Good Day

At last the weather was suitable for ringing to be carried out at Foxglove.  It was a lovely sunny day although at times on the cool side.  Nets were opened and the bird ringers, as always, carried out regular net rounds returning an unexpected variety of birds to the ringing room. 

Some of our summer migrants are still heading south and two Chiffchaffs were ringed before being released to continue their journey.  At the same time our winter migrants are arriving to feast on the large berry crop on the reserve.  Three beautiful juvenile Redwings were processed, presumably not long after leaving Scandinavia. 

Long-tailed Tits were also ringed and some retrapped.

When ringing is taking place, making tea and washing up are an essential part of the day.  This is not the hard work that it appears as you are able to look out of the kitchen window and see the variety of birds at the feeders and may be lucky enough to watch a flock of Long-tailed Tits arrive.  They flit from feeder to branch, to feeder and back again, not staying long before flying off.  Taking a photograph through the window does not result in a brilliant photo but you can see that the Lotti below already sports its ring. 

By close of play 125 birds had been processed.  More new Bullfinches were ringed and a grand total of 35 Goldfinches also.  One of the Blue Tits checked had been ringed in a nest box.

So all in all, it was a better than good day.  Many thanks to the volunteer bird ringers.