Today marks the end of our third week on Landsort, with 20 days consecutive ringing having taken place. Overall we have done 745 birds of 33 species.

 

Highlight this week was undoubtedly a Nightingale, caught in the reed bed on Wednesday. This is only the fourth one ever ringed at the Observatory and is classed as a National rarity, Sweden being well to the north of the species normal breeding range. Here, the Thrush Nightingale is more common and, confusingly, that species is called 'Nightingale'!!! Anyway, confusion avoided, all biometric data taken that will allow the rarity panel to consider the record.

 

Further long-distance migrants caught included a couple of male Redstart, a handful of Willow Warbler and some more Wheatear; all indicating that the spring rush of migrants is just starting to happen! After a couple of quiet days over the weekend we are hoping that a change from the cold northerly airstream will hasten their arrival.

 

Although the air is cold, out of the wind the sun has been fantastic, allowing lunches outside and restful G&T's as we watch over the bonfires that we have had over the last few days getting rid of old timber. New shelves up in the store room, plans designed for the bathroom, new boardwalks installed and preparations for checking nest boxes complete, it has been a busy but good week.

 

Spring is arriving here, with displaying White-tailed eagles overhead, Blue Tit and Tree Sparrow investigating the nest boxes on the wall next to our window and the first snakes seen basking in the sunshine - Adder and Grass Snake. Wood Anemones are coming out into flower and much of the woodland seems to be carpeted with them, so in a few days time it will look spectacular.

 

Had a few nights with just the two of us at the Obs this week, before Pelle arrived mid-week to spend some time with us, doing jobs, checking nets and some relaxing.