Thurs 21st

What a change in the weather. As I arrived (opening hours), the Sparrs were sky-dancing over the potential (re-useable?) nest site. As the feeders were full(-ish), I put up a couple of nets to have a bash at the tits. We try to give them a winter "health check" and it's also a good time to get those perishers that spend the summer away from the CES site. One thing, it often turns up the longer living birds and the ones that don't resort to the centre's yard feeders when there's nesting work to be done!

Well, first I caught a 7 year old male and that upped the elapsed time for Blue Tits. Then I caughta 6 year old female that had been ringed as a juv - and that beat the other one. Also in the nets, a Lotti from 2003. On the Great Tit front, recaught a male that was ringed as a pullus in 2003. So not a bad couple of hours work

In the afternoon, I had to make up a poster. Then I walked round the F.Lake. Highlight = 2 Little Egberts about 15:30, ensconced opp. the hide. We need a bread tray or two lashed up in the upper reaches of the willows! Also had a singing (briefly) Chiff.

PS. Cetti's singing at a private site again this year. We'll try to catch it to see if it's the same one!.

PPS. One lucky (grinning!) trainee with the first Woodcock to be caught in Beds for 27 years!