An early alarm clock this morning, getting up at 3am to get on site to Walsey Hills in good time. It was a great morning for ringing with a gentle south westerly that clearly got birds moving, especially first thing. We caught 43 birds, with most being caught in the first net round!!  A really great day for Whitethroats. Many of the Common Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat were advanced juveniles hatched this year, clearly on their way south, many with some fat. All birds were new.

Ringing totals

• 2 Chiffchaff
• 1 Wren
• 3 Robin
• 6 Blackcap
• 1 Reed Warbler
• 7 Blue Tit
• 17 Common Whitethroat
• 3 Lesser Whitethroat
• 1 Dunnock
• 2 Blackbird

As a bonus as we had finished packing up ringing we had a Clouded Yellow Butterfly over, a lovely sight! As it was so busy this morning I didn’t manage to take any extra photos!

Shannon