The first birds of the day arrived early with at least 6 siberian tits feeding in the woodland edge around our accommodation at around 5am before we'd even left for the day's ringing. A few nets may pop up around the camp this evening to target them and the many jays and owls that have been seen!
Once we'd set off, the morning was chilly with a patches of dense mist clouding the road as we drove to the ringing site at Nyrud Police Station from our weekend accommodation. A male capercaillie was seen on the roadside and then, around the next bend in the road, three shapes loomed out of the mist. MOOSE! Three individuals of what looked like two adults and a well grown calf stopped in their tracks, looked briefly at the car and then made their way back in to the woodland, instantly melting away.
At the ringing site the morning started with a few busy rounds with numbers breaking the 200 mark within a few hours. No surprises or new species today, but a new siberian tit was a nice addition, along with another 16 bluethroat and a tree pipit. By lunchtime, rounds had reduced to just a handful of birds so we've made an early finish for an afternoon of well-earned R+R. The return journey to our accommodation produced a willow grouse on the roadside, whilst the river valley was a bit busier today during our ringing session with an osprey, hen harrier, two whooper swans, a muskrat and several black-throated divers seen. Some of the group also had another brilliant view of moose when a mother and calf crossed the river just a few hundred yards from the ringing station. We'll upload the photo soon!
After our break this afternoon we'll back at it first thing tomorrow, hopefully for another big catch and preparing for a public open day on Sunday, and several visiting school groups on Monday and Tuesday. Its going to be a busy week!
21st August (281 new birds)
Redwing 1
Siberian tit 1
Great tit 1
Common redpoll 2
Redstart 3
Willow tit 1
Tree pipit 1
Bluethroat 16
Reed bunting 25
Meadow pipit 38
Willow warbler 192
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