As there was just Ian and I we played it safe and ringed just 60 Swallows plus six Reed Warblers, four Sedge Warblers and a Willow Warbler. All the Sedge Warblers were fat again, with one weighing a whopping 13.5 g.
Pre-roost the birding was pretty good, and the adult Hobby that has been knocking around the Obs for a good few days made an appearance as it gave stonking views as it flew over. Interestingly it didn't linger to have a go at any of the Swallows. Other raptors included a Buzzard and a Kestrel, whilst on the muddy margins of the pool was a Little Ringed Plover. There were two good finch flocks with about fifty Goldfinches in one and 100 Linnets in the other.
This morning we were back in the reedbed and again conditions for mist netting were good with no wind and some cloud cover. However, it was very quiet as we were putting the nets up and it would remain that way for the time we were there. It was clear last night with a full moon, perfect conditions for a 'clear-out' of birds. The ringing totals reflected this with just singles of Whitethroat, Blue Tit, Reed Bunting and Goldfinch ringed. We did recapture a Blue Tit and a moulting adult Willow Warbler as well.
Whitethroat
A fly-past Kingfisher was nice, but we struggled to record anything else of note.
After some showers early evening it is going to remain dry overnight and into the morning, with some wet weather arriving on Sunday. I'm not sure what to do as yet, but I will be doing something in the morning!
Brown Hay Cap. Photographed in my garden after I cut my mini meadow.
If I was a pan-species lister this would be a tick!
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