All nets opened at 0545 and closed after 1100 with 59 new birds caught. Among them was a Great Grey Shrike, only the 3rd individual caught at the Obs in spring, all in April (25th April 1992 & 17th April 1995). Best bird was a controlled Dunnock, carrying a ring from the Belgian ringing scheme.

Working on getting everything sorted for the start of the main visitor season; finalising dates for the series of public guided talks and lectures. Hopefully we will build on the success of last year and attract more visitors to the Obs. Also making progress on getting the daily diary on a Landsort blog site, rather than using the Sharpe Focus Ltd one. This should mean more of Landsorts members will see it. At the ‘testing’ stage now and hope to go live with it in the next day or so.

Just Chris & Kay at the Obs tonight.

All nets opened at 0545, marking the start of ringing for 2017 on Landsort. All nets closed at 1300, with a total of 102 new birds of 16 species. A good start to any ringing season, with Pelle ringing most of the birds. Records of migrating birds observed by Raul, Niklas and Jon will appear under Artportlan recording database but of note were over 1000 migrating Eider.

A few adjustments to nets and poles through the morning and canopy net pole repaired in the afternoon. The Manx flag was ‘hoisted’ during the morning – a most important event!!!!

Pelle, Raul, Niklas and Jon left on the afternoon ferry to give just two at the Obs overnight – Chris & Kay.

Birds ringed

Sightings of note

Raul, Niklas and Jon off out this morning at first light to migration watch north. Very heavy fog but plenty of birds around, in particular thrushes. Goldcrest and Robin Approx, 800 Redwing, 200 Fieldfare, 1,100 Eider, 1 Snow Bunting and 29 Twite were the highlights. 3 Great Grey Shrike on the island and a singing Green Woodpecker in the far north.

Pelle, Chris & Kay up and out putting up the 30 nets at Bredmar. All nets up and repairs done to boardwalks in the reeds. Winter storms had moved the entire boardwalk at the end of the football pitch about 1m west, so quite a task to reposition it. All done and ready for tomorrow, with plenty of birds still on the island.

Six at the Obs overnight: Chris, Kay, Pelle, Raul, Niklas and Jon.

Weather

Sightings of interest