Summer solstice

Dawn this morning was overcast with lots of midges! Not the best start to the summer solstice. However, the weather improved and it ended up being a glorious day with lots of visitors.

There were 8 bird ringers here and they caught 223 birds, one more than last week! In the photograph you can see Tony and Lesley checking a Greenfinch.

Elizabeth came to look after the Field Centre, welcome the visitors and make us a new nature table for the children to explore.
The Common Spotted Orchids are well into flower as are the Ragged Robin and Cotton Grass through the scrapes area.

Bird species ringed included the first young Great Spotted Woodpecker, Siskin, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Goldfinches of the year. Thirty two new Willow Warblers were also caught with productivity being markedly better than in the previous two years.