Hello spring! Our first calling Cuckoo this morning was in the census area, more new arrivals were amongst the ringing and these including a Grasshopper Warbler and (pictured ) a Sedge Warbler
More variety of migrants this week included our first Green Sandpiper and Short eared Owl of the spring. This morning’s census produced 5 Ring Ouzels, a singing Nightingale and two Honey Buzzards headed NE. Amongst 80 passerines ringed were Redstart and Tree Pipit.
Photo: This evening a Yellow Wagtail at Longis pond.
This spring has been somewhat of a slow burn thus far but a flock of 5 Ring Ouzels feeding together close to the lighthouse this afternoon was a fine sight indeed. This red-listed species is considered to have suffered a 43% decline in its population over the last 40 years.
Photo (JH) one of this afternoon’s Ring Ouzels.
See attached ringed as a chick in Poland in 1936 and recovered in Guernsey 1938!