Top that.

Weather remained in favour of nocturnal migration yet again last night. The wind,maybe a little strong, but a beautifully clear night saw us trying to catch Nightjar after seeing two on the road last evening; we failed.

This morning I woke to meet Louis, eager as ever, for a day of ringing with a trainee Jonathan from god's country; England. It wasn't to be as good a day as the previous few but with perfect migration weather over night, a clear-out should have been expected.

In 11 hours of ringing we struggled for just 31 new birds and some re-captures of recently ringed birds. Nice and relaxed practice for Jonathan, though as I may have mentioned,it was pretty hot today and so hard going at times. We were bribed in our own home today, Louis generously offered mid-morning to head to Gedser for some fresh pastries, just what we needed to lift spirits on a slow somewhat tiring morning.

Ringing totals

Willow Warbler 9
Redstart 7
Robin 3
Reed Warbler 2
FIRECREST 2
Blackcap 2
Icterine Warbler 1
Lesser Whitethroat 1
Whitethroat 1
Pied Flycatcher 1
RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER 1
Red-Backed Shrike 1

Plenty of variety then!

The wind was in the wrong direction, we thought, to produce any good numbers of birds migrating so instead we concentrated on ringing. In the garden resting birds included at least 3 Firecrest, 1(+) Two-barred Crossbill, 1(+) Common Crossbill, Swift, 80 Starlings, 8 Goldfinches, 1 Merlin and 1 Sparrowhawk.

There's not really much else to say about today, it was relaxed compared to recent days but we still, with time in the field, found something interesting to look at.

Hopefully tomorrow will bring some grounded birds and some diurnal migrants.

Blog: Craig Brookes