Nets opened at 0345, with some closed as the morning progressed and the wind increased. Remaining nets closed at 1145.

A very quiet morning of just 6 new birds of 3 species, with 7 Great Tit (Talgoxe) chicks from one nest box in the afternoon to give 13 birds of 4 species.

A guided talk was given to 9 people from 1130 until 1230.

Afternoon spent checking more nest boxes in the north of the island.

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

Nets opened at 0345 and closed at 1145, with 18 new birds of 12 species caught, plus a further 6 in nest boxes in the afternoon to give 24 of 13 species for the day.

The first Barred Warbler (Höksångare) of the year was trapped, together with another Reed Warbler (Rörsångare), though still no Marsh Warbler (Kärrsångare)!!

An open guided talk was given between 1130 and 1230 with a total of 12 people attending. These talks are proving to be very popular this year.

Afternoon spent checking more nest boxes, during which time we were kept company by many mosquitoes!!! Another long, hot but enjoyable day, but now the day is just finishing!!!

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

Nets opened at 0345 and closed at 1145. Almost calm to start and increasing only slightly through the morning and moving from E to SSE by midday.

Just 10 new birds of 9 species but including our first Barn Swallow (Ladusvala) of the year and another Greenish Warbler (Lundsångare).
A Lesser Whitethroat (Ärtsångare) was re-trapped, having been caught on the 26th May 2011, aged code 20, so born 8 years ago – a great record.

A guided talk was given to a group of 18 people from 1115 until 1230.

Afternoon will be spent checking more nest boxes in the woods. Update – Boxes around Sommarkyrkan and Saltmar checked, with two broods of Great Tit (Talgoxe) ringed, and two females on nest also ringed. A second nest of Redstart eggs (Rödstjärt) found. Woodcock (Morkulla) flushed from nesting habitat and a nice find of a female Teal (Kricka) on a nest of 8 eggs.

The four Swift (Tornseglare) continue to visit the Obs regularly through the day, with at least two having spent the night in boxes 6 and 10.

There will be two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay (plus some swifts!!!)

Poor days ringing again, with nets open from 0345 until 1100 with just 8 new birds of 5 species.

Afternoon was spent checking nest boxes between Obs and Våta Vägen. Quite a few occupied by Great Tit (Talgoxe) though no chicks ready to ring yet.

This morning at least two Swift (Tornseglare) left two different nest boxes, having spent the night in them. A total of four birds have been around the Obs on and off all day, with birds entering and leaving the same two boxes. Promising signs of breeding!!

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

All nets opened at 0345 but some closed at 0630 as the wind increased and moved from NE to E, varying in strength, but mainly strong by the time netting finished at 1145.

20 new birds of 10 species, including a hybrid male Pied/Collared Flycatcher (Svartvit/Halsbandsflugsnappare), the first at the Observatory since 2008.

Bosse & Janne headed to SUDD for the morning, before going up to Jutvik/Saltmar in the early afternoon.

An open-guided talk from 1130 until 1230 attracted 9 people.

Bosse & Janne leave the island this afternoon to give just two at the Obs: Chris & Kay.

Another sunny clear day, from the moment the nets were opened at 0345 until they were closed at 1145.

Just 11 new birds of 9 species.

A guided talk given to four people from 1115 until about 1230.

Janne & Bosse stayed around Bredmar all morning, heading as far as Saltmar to find the pair of Greenish Warbler (Lundsångare), before heading to bed for a prolonged period of hibernation!!!

Chris & Kay headed north to sit at various points from Saltmar to Norrhamn to note presence of singing males.

There will be four at the Obs overnight: Chris, Kay, Janne & Bosse.

Nets opened at 0345 and closed at 1100 with 15 new birds of 5 species.

The final few Starling (Stare) nest boxes were checked this afternoon, with just one occupied nest of 5 young. The total for the year is just 18 young ringed: a poor season, at least at nest boxes.

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

Nets opened at 0345 and closed at 1100 with 29 new birds of 7 species, including a Blyth’s Reed Warbler (Busksångare), the first since 2016.

Afternoon spent checking more Starling (Stare) nest boxes. Five more chicks ringed from two boxes, to give 34 new birds of 8 species overall.
Low levels of occupancy this year from the boxes checked so far.

Swift (Tornseglare) continue to investigate the nest boxes, with three coming and going through the day.

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

All nets opened at 0345 and closed at 1145. Just 24 new birds of 9 species, including the Starling (Stare) young.

No visitors today for the guided talk – in fact there are very few people on the island today – very few birds also!!

This morning, prior to switching on the sound to attract Swift (Tornseglare), three birds were observed investigating the nest boxes and then displaying around the Obs. Present throughout the morning – promising signs of breeding?

Afternoon was spent visiting Starling (Stare) nest boxes, with 8 young ringed in 2 nests

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

Nets opened at 0345 and closed at 1100.

The weather forecast was for SE winds, so there was some level of anticipation this morning, but at 0345 the wind was almost calm and then increased, but from the NE!!!

Another quiet days ringing here in paradise, with just 17 new birds of 6 species. The female Goldcrest (Kungsfåfel) that was trapped had a very well developed brood patch, indicating it is breeding nearby.

We started to play the call of Swift (Tornseglare) at the nest boxes on the wall of the Obs three days ago and today have had either one bird three times or three birds once, visiting to investigate the site. Looks promising for the season ahead!!!

Afternoon was spent trimming the grass in front of the Obs and along all of the net rides and paths.

Håkan left on the afternoon ferry to give just two at the Obs overnight: Chris & Kay.

Nets opened at 0345 and closed at 1100 with the wind backing from NW to SW during the morning and finishing with almost calm conditions.

Only 18 new birds of 7 species caught.

Håkan & Lasse headed to SUDD in the morning, but it was also very quiet for birds, as was a walk up the road they did later in the morning.

Lasse leaves this afternoon to give three at the Obs overnight: Chris, Kay & Håkan.

Nets opened at 0345, some closed at 1100 as the wind increased and the rest closed at 1145 after a guided talk.

Ebba joined us again for the ringing session but it was very quiet with just 9 new birds of 5 species caught.

Niklas headed up to the north for migration watching, with Mats & Lasse at SUDD until they returned around 0900 to help get the rubbish from the village and a little from the Observatory up to Norrhamn for the rubbish ferry.

At SUDD they spotted a Black Woodpecker (Spillkråka) coming to land from over the sea.

A very good guiding from around 1115 until 1230 with 22 adults and one child – excellent for a mid-May open guiding.

Niklas left on the afternoon ferry and Mats leaves later, with Håkan arriving (we think)

There will be four at the Obs overnight: Chris, Kay, Lasse and Håkan.

Nets opened at 0345 in a light N wind that moved to the S during the morning. Nets closed at 1100.

At 0600 we were joined by Ebba for the morning and finished the session with 30 new birds of 8 species.

Niklas & Lasse headed north in the morning, Niklas being early enough to see the Wild Boar (Vildsvin) near Saltmar. Both saw what is assumed to be the same Marsh Harrier (Brun kärrhök) that we later saw at Bredmar. Their sighting of the day was a female Golden Oriole (Sommargylling) migrating north. A summary of their more interesting sightings will be included later.

Afternoon will be spent starting the checking of Starling (Stare) nest boxes.

There will be five at the Obs overnight: Chris, Kay, Mats, Lasse and Niklas.

Nets opened at 0345 and closed at 1100 with some nets remaining closed due to the wind which was mostly from N but veering to NE.

A total of 30 new birds of 7 species was decent enough given the prolonged period of N to NE winds that we have had over the last few days. Overall, catches are lower than average.

A clean of the Obs this afternoon before members arrive for the weekend.

Steve left the island on the first ferry and Chloe leaves on the 1500 ferry. Great to have had their company and help over the last week or so and a real surprise to see Steve on Monday – not expected!!!

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

Limited nets opened at 0345, with a few more opened during the morning as the wind eased. Nets closed at 1100 with 26 new birds of 7 species, including the first Spotted Flycatcher (Grå flugsnappare) of the season.

There will be four at the Obs overnight: Chris, Kay, Chloe & Steve.

Nets opened at 0345 and closed at 1145 in light winds that were mainly from NW to N but moving round and increasing late in the morning.

A total of 32 new birds of 10 species including the first Reed Warbler (Rörsångare) of the season.

Guided talk given to 8 people from 1130 to 1230.

Afternoon will be spent trimming Alder in the reed beds.

A welcome visit from Hans today.

There will be four at the Obs overnight: Chris, Kay, Chloe & Steve.

Nets opened at 0345 and 1145 after a guided talk.

A total of 26 new birds of 12 species including (at last) the first Garden Warbler (Trädgårdssångare) of the year and, best bird of the day, a Red-flanked Bluetail (Blåstjärt), only the third ever trapped at the Observatory, after one in 2004 (4th Oct) and one in 2010 (11th May). The bird was released at Saltmar to minimise the risk of it being re-trapped during the morning.

A Black Kite (Brun glada) was observed migrating north past the Obs.

Guided talk given to 13 people from 1130 until 1245.

There will be four at the Obs tonight; Chris, Kay, Chloe and Steve.

All nets opened at 0345 and closed at 1100 in a 7-9 m/s NE wind that backed towards N briefly before veering to the E.

Just 15 new birds of 9 species continued the quiet period we have had during May. The first fledged young of the year was caught, a Greenfinch (Grönfink). Also trapped was a male Common Whitethroat (Törnsångare) that had been ringed at the Obs by Liam on 31st May 2014. It was classed as a 3+cy at that stage, so was born in 2012 at the latest.

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

In a late update we report an additional person staying overnight. Our good friend Steve from the Isle of Man has made it to Landsort, a rare migration movement from the SW against the prevailing NE winds!!!!

All nets opened at 0345 and closed at 1145 after a public guiding.

A total of 23 new birds of 8 species continued the period of low numbers over the last couple of weeks. A second Collared Flycatcher (Halsbandsflugsnappare) of the season, this one a female was caught. Also trapped was the first Icterine Warbler (Härmsångare) of the year, this one having already been ringed on 10th July 2017.

Migration watching at SUDD was not rewarding. Yonas trying there until around 1000 with Bosse & Janne heading to the east and around Bredmar to see if there was anything around. The persistent E to NE winds are not helping!!!

A guided talk was given from 1130 until 1230 to 12 adults and two youngsters.

Most left the island on the 1330 ferry to give three at the OBs overnight; Chris, Kay & Chloe.

Nets opened at 0345 and closed at 1100 with 18 new birds of 10 species.

Migration watching took place at SUDD and, despite being a very quiet day for movement a Short-toed Lark (Korttålärka) was found. Despite extensive searching of the area by a number of birders it was not re-located.

Emma and family left on the 0930 ferry.

There will be 7 at the Obs overnight: Chris, Kay, Chloe, Janne, Bosse, Yonas and Einar

All nets opened in a decreasing E wind. Nets closed at 1145 after a guided talk

A total of just 17 new birds of 8 species but including the first Wood Warbler (Grönsångare) of the season and another Red-breasted Flycatcher (Mindre flugsnappare)

A guided talk given to a family of 7 from 1130 until 1245

Yonas was in the south for the morning but reported there were very few birds.

There will be 11 at the Obs overnight: Chris, Kay, Chloe, Emma (party of 4), Yonas and son, Janne & Bosse.

Nets opened at 0345 and closed at 1100. Another quiet day with just 10 new birds of 7 species. Among them were the first Tree Pipit (Trädpiplärka) and first Greenish Warbler (Lundsångare) of the year, this latter bird being the earliest ever caught here by 13 days. A very unusual year to catch one of these before the first Garden Warbler (Trädgardssångare) or Wood Warbler (Grönsångare).

There will be nine at the Obs overnight; Chris, Kay, Chloe, Emma (party of 4) and Jonas with his son.

All nets opened at 0345 and closed at 1145.

A total of 37 new birds of 11 species including the first two Bluethroat (Blåhake) of the year.

There will be three at the OBs overnight; Chris, Kay & Chloe

Nets opened at 0345 in a light W wind that gradually backed to SE and increased slightly.

Nets closed at 1100 with 22 new birds of 11 species. Please note that the earlier entry of a Nightingale (Sydnäktergal) ringed was an error, which has now been corrected to Thrush Nightingale (Näktergal).

Two Thrush Nightingale (Näktergal) were re-trapped, one was ringed in May 2016 and one in June 2017. Also re-trapped was a Common Whitethroat (Törnsångare) ringed in August 2016.

Afternoon will be spent putting some protective oil on the benches outside.

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

Nets opened at 0345 and closed at 1230 after two guided talks given.

A total of 30 new birds of 7 species including the first Linnet (Hämpling) of the season, taking the total for the year to over 2,000 new birds.

Guided talks given to two groups, totalling 33 adults.

First Swift (Tornseglare) of the year reported by Lasse.

Lasse leaves the island today, giving just three at the Obs: Chris, Kay & Chloe.

Nets opened at 0345 and closed at 1145 after a guided talk. Some nets closed as the wind increased through the morning.

A total of 47 new birds of 9 species, including the first signs of a movement of Willow Warbler (Lövsångare) with 31 caught.

The first open-guided talk of the season attracted 9 adults and 3 children.

Pelle and Carl left the island at 1330, giving four at the Obs overnight: Chris, Kay, Lasse and Chloe.

Nets opened at 0345 and closed at 1100 with 29 new birds of 9 species, including the first Red-breasted Flycatcher (Mindre flugsnappare) and Red-backed Shrike (Törnskata) of the year, the flycatcher being the earliest date one has been caught here.

Lars, one of the new Board members came out for the day to see how we were getting along.

Lasse headed south, but reported that there were very few birds around.

There will be 6 at the Obs overnight; Chris, Kay, Pelle, Carl, Lasse and Chloe.

A strong W wind restricted the number of nets opened at 0345, with more opened as the wind decreased through the morning, with nets closed at 1100.

A very quiet day with just 10 new birds of 9 species caught.

Afternoon will be spent tidying and cleaning the Obs ready for the weekend.

There will be five at the Obs overnight: Chris, Kay, Lasses, Carl and Pelle

Nets opened at 0400 in a moderate SSE wind which decreased as the morning progressed, bringing light rain at 1100 when all nets were closed.

A quieter day than hoped for with just 22 new birds of 8 species but including two new for the year: Wheatear (Stenskvätta) and an adult male Collared Flycatcher (Halsbandsflugsnappare). Also trapped was a Willow Warbler (Lövsångare) that was ringed here on 14th July 2016 as an adult breeding female. Since then it has been to sub-Saharan Africa twice and returned to its breeding territory on an island in the Baltic that is 4km x 600m.

That’s the beauty of what we do!!!

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

Nets opened at 0400 and closed at 1100 with a decent morning of ringing producing 45 new birds of 14 species. Also trapped was a Wheatear (Stenskvätta) ringed as a 2cy bird at the Obs on 11th May 2013.

A very good day for Whinchat (Busksvätta), with 6 in one day beating the total for the entire year in 2017. The first Thrush Nightingale (Näktergal) of the year was caught, the earliest capture date on record.

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

Heavy overnight rain and very strong winds delayed net opening until 1030 when the rain cleared and the wind quickly reduced to a moderate W, dropping and backing to SE.

Nets closed at 1315 with a decent total of 42 new birds of 14 species, including four new species for the year: Whinchat (Busksvätta), Sedge Warbler (Sävsångare), Common Whitethroat (Törnsångare) and, the ‘cherry on the top’ a male Ortolan Bunting (Ortolansparv). This is the 36th ringed at the Obs and the first since 2014.

Afternoon spent having a very pleasant Fika with Inger, Hanna, Lena and Elin

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