Another Early Morning and some news from Berlin

The weather forecast was 'iffy' for today - so no change there!   Over 1730 migrating Meadow Pipits have been caught at The Crater on Barden Moor during the last few weeks and we are not sure when the last ones will pass through - we are still learning about them.  So the decision was taken to try again today and by 0620 the nets were going up as dawn was breaking.  It was still and quite warm.

There were not many birds around initially but we soon noticed a Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were both hunting in the area of the nets..

The red sky of dawn soon turned to grey and white fast moving clouds above the moor, and then we found ourselves inside these low clouds getting pretty damp!  Some reorganisation of the cars so they were facing into the wind enabled ringing and scribing to continue without birds and ringers being totally soaked.

The wind eventually won the day and the nets were taken down about noon.  By then the low cloud was clearing and there was even some blue sky!  Over 60 Meadow Pipits had been processed with only one retrap which was one caught earlier this year.

Finally, some news from Germany; Adam has completed the Berlin Marathon today! It seems that the coracle paddling paid off! Here he is just after the finishing line at the Brandenburg Gate.

Adam managed to get round in an amazing 4hours 43mins, Congratulations to Adam from everyone at Foxglove!