Back to school

Today the ringing site was visited by two local school groups as part of the wider community and education element of the project.  Around 50 pupils got the chance to see several species up close and find out more about them, how and why we ring birds, and even have a go at releasing birds once our ringing team had processed them.  We were also treated to the sight of four moose crossing the river to Russia.  Below is a photo taken earlier in the week by Paul of a mother and calf crossing closer to our ringing base.

Otherwise today was similar to yesterday, with the exception of a short burst of sharp showers which reduced our catch whilst we suspended operations by closing down the nets.  Still, the team managed to catch 279 new birds, our lowest total for several days, partly due to a drop in the number of willow warblers caught.

To date, thanks to the work of both teams, the project has now caught and ringed over 3500 birds of 35 species.  With a few more days to go, we should pass 4000 birds before we return to the UK.

24th August (279 new birds)
Meadow pipit 136
Willow warbler 87
Bluethroat 13
Reed bunting 32
White wagtail 7
Redwing 2
Redstart 1
Great tit 1