Sun!

The weather has been damp, dark, wet, misty and foggy for several days.  Today the sun was rising as the bird ringers arrived!  For the first time in many years there was a view through the willow carr to the conifer trees near the moor, this a direct result of the oustanding achievements of our willow coppicing volunteers. The sun could be seen catching the tops of these trees as the nets were opened.

Approaching the lake the glowing yellow orange of the larch trees stood out.

There were many birds retrapped today, as is usual at this time of year.  The birds that flock to Foxglove during late autumn and winter to feed have not yet arrived, and numbers of winter thrushes have been well down on previous years with natural food presumably still plentiful in their summer haunts.  However there was a surprise when two juveniles and an adult Redwing were brought to the ringing room.  These birds are winter migrants from Scandinavia. 

Earlier in the week Tree Sparrows were recorded at the lake feeders.  Today one was ringed!  (Dreaming - next breeding season Tree Sparrows in our nest boxes ...........??).  Although not really scarce in North Yorkshire they are very handsome birds and very nice to see on the reserve.  This was only the second ringed on the reserve in 22 years!

Over a hundred birds were caught today in just a morning session.  Thank you to everyone who helped and congratulations to the new recruits who did exceptionally well!