Sparrowhawk Warbler

A real mixed bag of weather to start the day with thunder and lightning to the north and south of the station only producing one short, sharp shower at dawn but the easterly wind picked up noticeably and filled the nets with leaves; a few hours later though it had reverted back to being calm, sunny and warm.   These changeable conditions only produced 16 new birds through the morning's ringing session although it was a nice, varied mix with the definite highlight being a stunning Barred Warbler - a presumed 3K+ bird with very bright eyes.
   Other birds caught included a female Blue-headed Wagtail, 3 White Wagtails (2 juveniles), an Icterine Warbler, 3 Whitethroats, a Blackcap and a Chiffchaff.

Although I've seen and ringed a few autumn juveniles, this is the first spring Barred Warbler I've seen - brilliant!

Blue-headed Wagtail

 



 The day didn't stop with the ringing as around 07:30 I picked up a cracking GULL-BILLED TERN flying low NE across the fields just to the west of the station, giving great albeit brief views as it swept past - I found out later that this was a first for Gedser!

There wasn't too much else seen through the day with a few wildfowl at sea including small flocks of Goldeneye and Common Scoter, a few signs that Finches are starting to move around with 9 Common Crossbills and a Redpoll over the garden and a few Swifts heading back south already.

Eyed Hawkmoth