Things are getting better!

Much nicer conditions this morning with the wind easing off and the predicted rain never really materialising; more nets were opened and as a result I managed to catch a few new birds including a couple each of Song Thrush, Chaffinch and Blackbird and the first Reed Bunting of the year to be trapped.

Reed Bunting and re-trap Tree Sparrow

 

The visibility at sea was much reduced today so birds were seemingly reluctant to move around with the only new birds of note being a pair of Gadwall, 12 Mute Swans and two White-fronted Geese which were tagged on to an Eider flock.   The land was more profitable through the morning with the highlights today being a Woodlark and a total of 29 Common Crossbills; other birds overhead included 7 Lapwings, 8 Jackdaws, a White Wagtail, another Mistle Thrush, a few Chaffinch flocks first thing and a trickle of Siskins, Greenfinches and Linnets.

 

I spent a couple of hours during the very pleasant and sunny early afternoon out on the tip where birds seen included a Sparrowhawk in off the sea, a Grey Heron drifting north out at sea, another 4 White Wagtails and a steady trickle of Chaffinches, Siskins, Linnets, Greenfinches and Meadow Pipits moving along the coast.

 

Hans popped in late afternoon announcing that he had a gift for me; I was all excited until I found out it was road-kill bait for the gull trap but when it catches a Rough-legged Buzzard tomorrow....I think I may get excited all over again!