Cap Black (or should that be brown?)

As Phil said when he replied to the text I sent him this morning to say how quiet it was at Rossall School ringing wise "at least we try"! And try we did. Ian and I met at the 'obs' at 5.15 a.m. and put the usual four nets up. Unfortunately it was clear skies, but at least it was calm, but this meant that anything we ringed this morning would be hard won.

The clear skies and light southerly wind did provide some visible migration for Ian and I to concentrate on as we drank copious amounts of coffee between net rounds. With only four bird ringed it gave us plenty of time to monitor the 'vis'. We ringed Blackbird, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Willow Warbler.

Blackcap - female

Whitethroat

Willow Warbler

The easiest way to report the vis is to give you the bare totals which were (all north) 20 Meadow Pipits, 10 Tree Pipits, 18 Whimbrel, 14 Lesser Redpolls, 22 Pink-footed Geese, 27 Woodpigeon, 1 Alba Wag, 18 Swallows, 4 Siskins, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Sand Martins and 1 Gannet. It is very surreal sat at the ringing table and watching a Gannet 'winging' along the sea wall!

There were few grounded migrants around this morning other than Grasshopper Warbler, Chiffchaff and another Whitethroat in addition to the bird ringed.

Back at home the moth trap was disappointing with just three Heralds trapped. The weather synopsis looks interesting for tomorrow depending on what time the rain arrives. I think it will be a case of rolling out of the 'pit' just before first light and seeing what's happening weather wise before making a decision what to do.