A brave attempt to erect nets for two visiting ringers produced three birds; Reed Warbler (first for the season), Wood Pigeon and Goldfinch before the dark clouds gathered and the nets were brought in.

Sunday - well the wind blew and the rain never stopped!

The next ringing attempt was on the 5th, only two new birds were captured: 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Blackcap. Recoveries totalled 4: Robin from 2007, House Sparrow originally ringed as an adult in 2008 this is the first time it's been recaptured, Great and Blue Tit. You can tell the ringing is a little slow when I start to look up the history of our retraps!

Ringing has been very quiet this month owing to strong winds and birds concentrating on nesting efforts! Highlight of May was retrapping an adult male Cuckoo which we had ringed in 2009. The ringers have been poised waiting for a break in the winds but to no avail. With hundreds of young Starlings flocking around the area the ringers await the opportunity to have a go at catching them. This just about sums up our spring to date!