A properly cold but stunning spring morning greeted us as we arrived at the obs this morning. The forecast was spot on, and so we were able to get all the nets open for a few hours before a chilly wind picked up. The calm, clear conditions were obviously spurring birds on to start moving, and in the first hour of the day we had logged the first House Martin of the year, several Swallow and some light finch passage which included Goldfinch, Siskin and singles of Brambling and Redpoll, and 2 Crossbill.

Someone was treated to a few brief snippets of Willow Warbler song in the NOA car park and in the nets, the first Blackcap of the year appeared; a 24g female (average weight 17.7g) so she is probably on her way much further north! Otherwise, it was quality over quantity for ringing, with 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Dunnock, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Goldfinch and 1 Long-tailed Tit making up the totals.

A mid-morning amble down to Thornham was well worth it, before it got too busy on the coast path. The flashes just west of the coal barn have been looking in great shape for some time now, and they finally delivered a Little Ringed Plover, ambling around in the wet boggy areas searching for food, and proving extremely elusive at times. Elsewhere on the pools were a pair of Pintail, and a Spoonbill flew by, serenaded by the singing Redshank on the marsh.

The moth trap was slightly more exciting than it has been for the last few days (gale force winds are not good for moths….) with 9 Hebrew Character, 2 Small Quaker, 7 Powdered Quaker, 4 Clouded Drab, 1 Water Carpet and 1 Red Chestnut. With temperatures set to rise considerably this week, I have high hopes for the traps over the next few mornings.

The rest of the day was spent getting organised for our new assistant warden who starts tomorrow! We’re very excited to have our team back to full strength, and more on that soon.