All Quiet On The Ringing Front

I had my first ringing session for the spring at the Obs this morning and was joined by Huw at first light where we were met with a ground frost, clear skies and a very light southeasterly breeze. It 'felt' very quiet as we were putting the nets up and quiet it was to remain throughout the morning.

There was some vis this morning, but it was light, and included a Linnet, eight Meadow Pipits, a Tree Pipit, 18 Lesser Redpolls, five Swallows, three Skylarks, a Siskin and a House Martin.

 Lesser Redpoll

Grounded migrants were equally thin on the ground with just two Whitethroats new in and a Chiffchaff that we trapped. We ringed eleven birds as follows (recaptures in brackets):

Blackbird - 1
Wren - 1 (2)
Chiffchaff - 1
Lesser Redpoll - 7
Blue Tit - 1 (1)

 Chiffchaff

 Blue Tit

Whitethroat

So all in all a very quiet morning, but it was good to get some nets up. Let's hope it's better tomorrow morning!