Sunny Spring day

Clear skies as the sun rises over the nets

Conditions were great for ringing again this morning, with hardly any wind and warm temperatures for Spring. Though I didn't come near to the total of yesterday's catch, it was still a good morning with 66 new birds ringed and 3 retraps. The spread of species was much more even today, but again the most common species ringed were Robins (16), Goldcrests (12) and Firecrests (8). This makes it three days in a row now that I've ringed 8 Firecrests, and brings the total number for the year so far to a massive 38. Let's hope this trend continues!

I spent the afternoon with Hans and Gert at Bøtø Nor preparing nest boxes for the coming breeding season where they hope to see Wrynecks nesting. I wasn't lucky enough to spy a Wryneck but you never know maybe I'll get to ring one in the next couple of weeks (wishful thinking perhaps???)... Hans then introduced me to the wildflowers in bloom in some nearby forest. It's exciting to see Spring springing and everything start to green up after the European winter - such an extreme seasonal change I don't get to witness in Australia.

Gert and Hans checking a nest box at Bøtø Nor

The forest floor in full bloom before the trees get their leaves

It looks like we're due for a cold change at Gedser with windy conditions forecast for tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be able to put nets up, but I'll check it out in the morning.

Breakdown 11/04/2015:
White Wagtail (Hvid Vipstjert) - 1
Wren (Gærdesmutte) - 4
Dunnock (Jernspurv) - 4
Robin (Rødhals) - 16
Blackbird (Solsort) - 1
Song Thrush (Sangdrossel) - 5
Redwing (Vindrossel) - 2
Chiffchaff (Gransanger) - 7
Goldcrest (Fuglekonge) - 12
Firecrest (Rødtoppet Fuglekonge) - 8
Chaffinch (Bogfinke) - 5
Greenfinch (Grønorisk) - 1
TOTAL = 66


Lizzy Joyce