With the East winds dropping I squeezed in a couple of hours ringing from first light at Longis reserve today. Only two nets were sheltered adequately for them to be opened but it was quickly evident there were new migrants about as I had 1 Greenshank, 1 Snipe and 1 Green Sandpiper fly over within a few minutes of one another, and about 40 Swallows with a few Sand Martins amongst them emerged from an overnight roost.

17 new birds were ringed; predominantly Willow, Reed and Sedge Warblers.  I was still catching but had to close to make sure everything was in order for mid day departure to England where the Alderney Bird Observatory has a stand  at the British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland later this week. If you are attending do come and say hi, we are stand 40 in Marquee 8.

There was also a male Sparrowhawk around the airport.