Last Gasp At The Obs

Ian and I paid a last visit for the autumn to the obs this morning, although with the forecasted easterlies next week I did wonder if we had taken all our kit back a little early! There seemed to be a few more Thrushes around this morning by the number of Blackbirds calling in the darkness as we put the nets up, and also the ringing totals showed this as well.

It was absolutely flat calm and we couldn't help thinking why it couldn't have been like this a few weeks ago when migration was in full swing. We ringed 17 birds as follows (recaptures in brackets):

Song Thrush - 2
Redwing - 1
Blackcap - 1 male
Greenfinch - 9
Wren - 1 (1)
Blackbird - 3

 Greenfinch

There was some 'vis' this morning, although it only lasted for a short time from first light, and we had 4 Fieldfares, 5 Redwings, Brambling, Lesser Redpoll, 2 Alba Wags, 8 Meadow Pipits, Linnet and 50 Greenfinch.

Other than a single Sparrowhawk and large numbers of Pink-footed Geese dropping on to farmland to the east of us, that was about all we had. The forecast looks okay for some more ringing tomorrow, so I think a change in scene is in order with a first visit for the season to my farmland bird feeding station. I'll keep you posted.