A poor start to the week, with heavy rain and strong winds preventing nets being opened. 

Things improved on Friday and the last three days have been good; 186 birds ringed by the two of us and 202 in total, the others being used by Sonja who was out for the weekend. Probably the last time we will see her and it brings home the fact that we leave here in 21 days time, so more and more of those we meet now we will be seeing for the last time this trip.

More Long-tailed Tits and Bullfinch caught this week, but the star of the show has to be the five Waxwing we caught yesterday and today (see pics below). Over the last week or so there have been small flocks passing through the island, some staying for a while and others just going straight past. Eventually though our efforts paid off and we caught some. Although we have ringed the species before it never fails to give the 'wow' factor when you catch one, and is a firm favourite with any members of the public who pass by. 

We are netting all daylight hours now, usually starting at 0645 and closing the nets at about 1500 just in time to release any late birds we catch before dusk. We are getting temptingly close to our 'target' of catching 12,000 birds for the year, less than 500 to go and 21 days to do it in - much will depend upon the weather. 

This week Kay, who has done most of the ringing between us during this trip and last year has now ringed 8424 birds on Landsort, putting her 8th in the overall totals since ringing started here in 1978. Pretty good going in just two autumns as some of those higher up the table have virtually lived here in the past!! 

Rain forecast tomorrow, but that is a 'wait and see' one, but after that the week looks promising with dry days and light winds - so fingers crossed.