A beautiful day today, with blue skies and sunshine from morning to evening (although it was overcast until 08:00...). The nets were opened at Cristin and remained open until 12:30, the nets at Nant were opened very briefly early on, but it was slightly on the breezy side and nothing was caught. 

The morning sun hitting the lighthouse

Ringing at Cristin was a success, though, the highlights being two Lesser Redpolls. And a good catch of Goldcrests, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps definitely made ringing worthwhile! Nant produced small flocks of both Siskins, Lesser Redpolls and Chaffinches. As well as a few Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps. 

Willow Warbler caught at Cristin

The Moth trap yielded the first Angle Shades of the year, a nicely patterned moth, to be expected but always a delight. 

Angle Shades

A Buzzard flew over the Narrows in the late morning indicating a steady passage after one flew over yesterday evening, every now and then several pass over the island at once. It turned out to be a decent day for raptor variety with Peregrine, Merlin and Sparrowhawk all making their way onto the day list! Other than raptors, it was a quiet day in the Lowlands, but a small number of Wheatears kept interest up whilst out birding. Two firsts for the year were had too, a Collared Dove at Cristin and a Common Sandpiper on Solfach.

Wheatear with potential nest material in the Lowlands

For the Observatory staff, it was a day of finishing the final touches to the south side of the building ready for the first guests of the year who will be arriving tomorrow.

Birds today: one Gannet, one Sparrowhawk, one Buzzard, one Merlin, one Peregrine, one Purple Sandpiper, one Curlew, eight Redshanks, one Common Sandpiper, 23 Turnstones, one Collared Dove, five Sand Martins, 4 Swallows, 48 Meadow Pipits, two Robins, one Fieldfare, 17 Blackcaps, 16 Chiffchaffs, 19 Willow Warblers, ten Goldcrests, 20 Carrion Crows, six Chaffinches, four Siskins, five Goldfinches, 17 Linnets, five Lesser Redpolls. 

Ringing Totals: Blackbird 1 (1), Goldfinch 5, Chaffinch 2, Lesser Redpoll 2, Goldcrests 8, Willow Warbler 17, Chiffchaff 12 (2), Blackcap 12 (1), Wren (1)