A brilliant last day therefore we must return.....!!

What a belting day! The weather was superb from first light, with virtually no wind, and light cloud cover, making it warm and still--perfect migration and catching conditions. It was apparent from the moment we opened the nets that our first really big movement of Meadow Pipits was on the cards as birds started descending from the skies. While the main net site was relatively quiet, the marsh area was jumping with birds--the 6am round produced almost 100 birds. However, with a slick team in operation we managed to process all the birds quickly without any build-up, and a rapid return to empty the nets.
Mipit was bird of the day with, 243 new birds ringed; but a couple of delightful Siberian Tits, a Garden Warbler ( first for this trip) and another Merlin all added some spice.
The final table of results is shown below, showing an 'historic' number of Meadow Pipits for the trip. We got the impression that their passage has only just started in earnest so Ferg's team who are arriving on 9th September may still be in for plenty of this species. We hope that there are some useful data-sets; especially on Mipits, Reed Buntings, Willow Warbler, and Bluethroat which we have caught in very good numbers--with a biometric processing rate of 82%. There were occasions when we were unable to process all the birds when we were short handed for various reason, but overall we are pleased with our efforts.
Nets etc were packed away and the site cleared by midday, leaving us plenty of time to tidy up Kate's place. Fortunately she made a visit to say goodbye, which gave us an opportunity to invite her to lunch to enjoy the wonderful King Crab which Col H and Stu cooked to perfection.
Col M and Stu went for a bimble into the woods in the afternoon and had absolutely stunning views down to a few metres of a Hawk Owl which stayed long enough that even Charlie could have photographed it--had he been there.
Finally from me--a big thank you to everyone who has made this possible; especially Tormod and Kate. And a massive thank you to the team who have provided great company, stimulating conversation, excellent meals, and above all top productivity in the field. We will return!!

Merlin	2
Ringed Plover	21
Dunlin	92
Curlew Sandpiper	16
Little Stint	21
Meadow Pipit	1066
Red Throated Pipit	5
White Wagtail	6
Dunnock	30
Bluethroat	286
Redstart	10
Wheatear	7
Redwing	85
Fieldfare	18
Barred Warbler*	1
Garden Warbler	1
Sedge Warbler	18
Willow Warbler	289
Chiffchaff	4
Pied Flycatcher	2
Great Tit	31
Blue Tit*	1
Willow Tit	2
Siberian Tit*	4
House Sparrow	38
Brambling	72
Common Redpoll	583
Arctic Redpoll	5
Greenfinch	55
Bullfinch*	1
Reed Bunting	539
Little Bunting	2
Lapland Bunting	56
Total Species - 33	Total Processed - 3369
* Species ringed for first time at Nesseby

See Charlie's blog for further information http://birdringers.blogspot.co.uk