A Bird Ringing Day

As the bird ringers arrived this morning bird song filled the air.  Woodpeckers were heard drumming, Mistle Thrushes were singing loudly, and the beautiful, familiar call of the Curlew could be heard on the moor. 

The beginning of the day saw a net being repaired before it could be used.

Usually all the data from the birds processed on a ringing day are written down on paper, and then many hours are spent at a later date inputting this data into a special computer programme so that they can be sent to the BTO.  Today, for the first time, the data was entered directly into the machine.  A learning curve for all involved, but by close of play information on over 100 birds had been logged for onward transmission.

Some birds were caught in the Heligoland Trap, used for the first time today after some renovation.  

The new duck traps on the wetland were also in use today and Mallard and Teal were in good numbers on the ponds.