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.