Nets opened at 0400 and closed at 1100. about 0500 fog arrived for about 1.5 hours, but did not bring a fall of birds.

A total of 27 new birds of 11 species for the day. Finished the month with 1,788 birds. This is significantly higher than the average by the end of April for the period 1988-2017 which stands at just 668 birds.

Peder & Bjorn headed up towards Saltmar once the mist cleared, with Bjorn leaving on the 0925 ferry and Peder leaving on the last one this evening.

Afternoon spent starting the monthly summary for April.

There will be two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay.

Opening of nets delayed until 0730 due to overnight rain continuing. Nets closed at 1145 with a good total of 79 new birds of 11 species, mostly Robin (Rödhake) and Chiffchaff (Gransångare). Caroline did the ringing this morning.

Bosse & Janne headed to SUDD once the rain stopped, while the rest headed to the north.

There will be four at the Obs overnight; Chris, Kay, Bjorn & Peder.

Nets opened at 0400 and closed at 1100 with the wind decreasing through the morning. Another quiet day for ringing, with only 20 new birds of 10 species, but these included the seasons first Redstart (Rödstjärt) and a nice selection of migrants.

Observations are still going on in the north and at SUDD, so an update on any notable sightings will be included later.

There will be ten at the Obs overnight; Chris, Kay, Lena, Bosse, Janne, Niklas, Raul, Caroline, Bjorn and Peder.

Nets opened at 0445 and closed at 1100 with just 11 new birds of 7 species. The third Wryneck (Göktyta) of the spring was caught – only two have ever been caught by this date in previous years; one in 2015 and one in 2016.

There will be eight at the Obs tonight: Chris, Kay, Raul, Caroline, Janne, Bosse, Lena and Niklas.

Nets opened at 0445 in a strong wind, which soon dropped to be moderate through most of the morning, before decreasing to light by the time netting finished at 1100.

A total of just 11 new birds of 7 species for the day.

There will be two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay

Limited nets opened at 0500 due to a strong wind, which eased enough to allow all nets open by 0630, with netting finishing at 1100.

Quiet again today with just 14 new birds of 8 species, including a real rarity – an un-ringed Great Tit (Talgoxe)!!!!

The wind increased at around 1100 so the chance has been taken this afternoon to wash all bird bags and get them drying in the wind and sunshine.

There will be two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay.

Nets opened at 0500 and closed at 1100 with 22 new birds of 8 species. A second Wryneck (Göktyta) for the season was a welcome addition to a decent days ringing, which included 6 Blackcap (Svarthätta). In the 30 years from 1988-2017 only 5 have ever been caught on dates earlier than the 24th April.

Repairs to boardwalks this afternoon as well as putting more signs in the village about the open guiding talks that start on 6th May and take place every Wednesday and Sunday until late August.

There will be two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay.

Nets opened at 0500 and closed at 1100. Through the morning the wind increased gradually and cloud cover started at around 1030, with clear skies before that.

A total of just 25 new birds of 6 species, including the first Willow Warbler (Lövsångare) of the year.

There will be two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay.

Nets opened at 0500 in a moderate north-west wind that backed to the south-west by the time netting finished at 1100.

Another quiet morning, with just 22 new birds of 7 species, though the last bird of the day was a 2cy Pied Flycatcher (Svartvit flugsnappare), the earliest date that one has been caught here by two days.

There will be three at the Obs overnight: Chris, Kay & Lasse.

Nets opened at 0500 and closed at 1100 with 23 new birds caught.

Afternoon was spent measuring up to replace boardwalks, putting notices in Norrhamn about open guidings and putting up signs around the netting area to let the public know about our activities.

There will be three at the Obs overnight; Chris, Kay & Lasse.

Nets opened at 0500 and closed at 1100 with 50 new birds of 9 species, including a male Bearded Tit (Skäggmes), This is not a species caught here much in spring, with four out of the previous five spring records in 30 years being caught in the second half of April.

A visiting birder arrived on the boat this morning, renewing an interest in birds after a 50 year gap. Despite having never met him previously and being quite busy with ringing birds when he arrived at the Obs, he very kindly left Kay with a splendid range of fresh fruit and vegetables!!! We did not really get the chance to thank him properly, or to get his name. So, if he is reading this diary – please accept our thanks and appreciation of your generosity. We hope your renewed passion for bird watching provides you with many pleasurable experiences and observations. Tack!!

There will be three at the Obs overnight: Chris, Kay & Lasse.

Nets opened at 0515 and closed at 1200, after a planned guiding did not turn up.

Quieter today, with just 47 new birds, but including the first two Blackcap (Svarthätta) of the season.

Håkan headed to SUDD for migration watching and reported seeing around 15 Wheatear (Stenskvätta) and two Black Redstart (Svart Rödsjärt)

There will be two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay.

Nets opened at 0500 in a slightly windier day with occasional rain from around 0845. Much quieter than the last few days but still a decent total of 64 new birds of 8 species.

While Kay went to ‘land’ in the afternoon for shopping Chris spent some time cleaning the kitchen cupboards. Most done with some still to have a go at tomorrow – Ahh the joys of observatory life!!!

There will be three at the Obs overnight: Chris, Kay & Håkan

All nets opened at 0445 and closed at 1200, with 244 new birds of 13 species to continue the excellent spring so far.

Though mostly Robin (Rödhake) good numbers of thrush were also caught, including an adult female Blackbird (Koltrast) that had a ring from the Netherlands on it. This is the 4th non-Landosrt ringed bird we have caught so far this April, the others being: Chiffchaff (Gransångare) – Norway, Robin (Rödhake) – Poland and a Goldcrest (Kungsfågel) ringed somewhere in Sweden.

There will be two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay.

All nets opened at 0445 in almost calm conditions and closed at 1300.

A very good spring morning for ringing, with 303 new birds caught of 15 species. This is the 2nd highest April catch total, after the ‘big day’ of 504 on the 15th April 2005. 202 of the new birds were Robin (Rödhake), only the ‘big day’ of 2005 catching more at 285. Also among the Robin was one with a Polish ring.

The first three Lesser Whitethroat (Ärtsångare) of the year were caught, the earliest they have ever been caught here by 7 days.

The total for April is now 1129, which compares very favourably with the Falsterbo total of 1241. Experience shows that Falsterbo will consistently catch more birds than here, though it is nice to reflect, even for a short time, how well our season is going so far!!

A long day but a good one!!!

There will be two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay.

All nets opened at 0445 on a calmer morning than recently, with fog arriving around 0730 and staying dense for the rest of the session- Some nets closed at 1100 and the rest closed at 1145.

A total of 59 new birds of 11 species, including the first White Wagtail (Sädesärla) and Siskin (Grönsiska) of the season. Month total now exceeds 800.

One of the poles for the reed nets snapped during the morning, so will be replaced later – luckily no damage to the nets or birds.

The first guided talk of the season was given, to four adults and eight youngsters from a scout group.

Mats, who was full of a cold, left the island at 0930 – heading for his bed!!!

There will be two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay.

19 nets opened at 0445, with more opened during the morning as the strong wind gradually reduced, to give 25 nets in operation when catching finished at 1100.

A total of 21 new birds of 7 species was, once more, quiet due to the continuing NE to E winds.

Mats arrived on the morning ferry, bringing with him supplies for the season and some excellent chocolate biscuits!!

There will be three at the Obs overnight: Chris, Kay & Mats

Another day of strong NE winds reduced the number of nets opened at 0500 to 19. These were closed at 1100 with just 6 new birds caught of 5 species.

Kay spent some time this morning making some more boardwalks to put over wet sections of the netting area.

Gunnar headed south again in the morning but reported seeing even fewer birds than yesterday.

Gunnar leaves the island today, so there will be just two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay

Nets opened at 0500 with a strong East to North-east wind limiting the amount of nets in operation. As expected, given the wind direction and strength, another quiet day with just 11 new birds caught of 5 species. The wind looks like it will stay from the E to N-E into Sunday, so not expecting much migration in the next few days.

Gunnar headed south at first light but also reported very few birds passing the southern tip and hardly any passerines arriving from over the sea.

There will be two at the Obs tonight: Chris & Kay. A late update – Gunnar decided the island was too beautiful to leave, so has extended his stay by one night!!

Majority of nets open at 0500 in a mainly East to north-east wind and closed at 1100 with just 23 new birds of 8 species.

Gunnar headed south but had poor migration past the island.

There will be three at the Obs tonight: Chris, Kay & Gunnar.

Catching was limited by the strong NE winds, though 14 nets were in operation through the morning, giving just 14 new birds of 8 species. Notably quieter for birds in the area today compared to the last couple of days.

There will be three at the Obs overnight: Chris, Kay & Gunnar.

Nets opened at 0500 and closed at 1300 with light winds for the session, initially from the SW with almost clear skys and then becoming E with cloud coming over after 1200.

Another good ringing total with 187 new birds of 14 species, including a Wryneck (Göktyta). This is the earliest date one has ever been caught here, the previous earliest being on 17th April 2016. Todays record also represents the third earliest date the species has been reported on Landsort, after singles on the 4th April 2011 and 8th April 2016.

A Chiffchaff (Gransångare) with a Norwegian ring on it was also caught.

The singing Serin (Gulhämpling) reported yesterday is still in the village.

There will be two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay.

All nets opened at 0500 in almost calm conditions with the wind remaining light and variable through the ringing session which ended at 1300.

A total of 276 new birds for the day of 13 species, the highest capture total for the first week of April since ringing began on site. 26 new Wren (Gärdsmyg) was a record day catch whilst 105 Goldcrest (Kungsfågel) was second highest, after 109 on 6th April 1991.

Måns, Janne & Bosse all headed to SUDD for migration watching. Do not have a summary of notable records from them for today but a male Serin (Gulhämpling) was of particular note. Due to some problems they were facing with accessing Artportalen yesterday and again today there will be a delay before their records are available for viewing

There will be two at the Obs tonight: Chris & Kay

24 nets opened at 0500 and closed at 1100 with 54 new birds of 10 species caught, including the first two Reed Bunting (Sävsparv) of the year.

An enjoyable couple of hours during the morning spent with Madeleine & Stefan from the village who very kindly brought coffee and sandwiches – always welcome and good company.

Bosse headed north, while Måns headed to the south, joined a while later by Janne. Will include a summary of their more notable sightings on the diary later.

Kay & Chris spent the afternoon putting up the last 6 nets: Bredmar reeds and Pond west now that the ice has almost gone.

There will be 5 at the Obs overnight: Chris, Kay, Måns, Janne & Bosse

Very strong winds overnight – up to 21m/s continued through the day. So there was just two nets that could be opened at 0600. Closed at 0815 when snow showers and a longer period of snow arrived.

Just 6 new birds caught.

There will be five at the Obs tonight: Chris, Kay, Måns, Janne & Bosse

Only a few nets opened at 0515 as most were frozen shut due to yesterdays rain freezing them shut overnight. Eventually all available nets opened until 0845 when a band of rain caused ringing to be stopped until nets were opened again from 1045 until 1300.

A good mornings ringing with 123 new birds of 14 species, including the 18th Long-eared Owl (Hornuggla) at the Obs, only the 3rd ever spring bird, the last being on 9th May 1991. A spring day record (10) for Wren (Gärdsmyg) also.

There will be two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay.

24 nets opened at 0600 and continued until 1145 when rain arrived. Pleasing to get the first migrant Robin (Rödhake) and Goldcrest (Kungsfågel). Warmer this morning, starting at +2 and rising to +4 by the time netting finished.

A mist descended a couple of hours before the rain arrived, bringing a small fall of migrants, notably a flock of Chaffinch (Bofink), with one Brambling (Bergfink) that dropped down to feed along the road by the Obs.

The first Common Frog of the year seen, sitting in the lab!!!

There will be two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay.

All 24 nets opened at 0600 and kept open until 1100. Cold early on and remaining below 0 in the shade, but a good amount of sunshine encouraged the two viper seen yesterday to bask again in front of the Obs.

Just 8 new birds for the day, including 6 Blackbird (Koltrast) and the first Wren (Gärdsmyg) of the season.

Early afternoon was spent clearing away old nails that were dropped in the grass and on the road when the roof was replaced in the winter. Worthwhile – nearly 2 buckets of nails and old roof material removed. Also found the thermostat for the outside temperature gauge that was lost last year when the windows were replaced. Repaired and now working again. Fixed the roof on the small shed north of the Obs – no more banging during windy nights. At least that is the plan!!!

Tore used the drone this afternoon to go out to Bredgrund lighthouse off the south of the island, where several hundred Long-tailed Duck were gathered on the water. Later, time permitting, we will take a screen grab and see if we can get a more accurate count.

There will be two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay.

An overcast start to the day with cloud clearing through the morning. 20 nets opened at 0600 and closed at 1100 with just two new birds caught, both Great Tit (Talgoxe). Only one retrap – also a Great Tit. Fewer birds in the area this morning than yesterday.

The first two Viper of the season were observed today, sunning themselves at the entrance to a hole in the ground in front of the Observatory building.

There will be two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay.

19 nets opened at 0545: the first ringing day of the 2018 season, with Caroline helping for some of the time. Nets closed at 1100 with 16 new birds of four species for the day. Also caught were 29 retraps from earlier years, mainly Talgoxe (Great Tit) and Blåmes (Blue Tit) but also including one Gulsparv (Yellowhammer) which was ringed here on 20th April 2013.

Raul & Caroline braved a cold wind to spend some time migration watching in the south, though with little reward!

A potential new member, Henrik, who had camped in the north overnight spent some time at the Obs, warming up, sharing some coffee and a chat and watching ringing taking place.

New Board member Lars-Åke Liden arrived to spend some time with us, chatting through the opportunities that exist for developing the work and profile of the Observatory.

Raul & Caroline leave on the afternoon ferry to give two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay.