It is now...!

Our final day of ringing was a slight improvement on yesterday, but only just.  In all 114 new birds were ringed, with the 'bird of the day' award being taken early on by a stunning juvenile merlin, our second of the trip!

The day was also great for sightings starting with 2 capercaillie and a pair of common crane on the way to the ringing site.  During our ringing session a hawk owl perched on the police house giving brilliant views, before plunging towards one of our nets but narrowly avoiding being caught.  During the excitement a gyr falcon also flew over the compound giving brief views to those who could tear themselves away from the posing owl.  Added to this were several very vocal flypasts by black-throated divers and a pair of osprey fishing along the river.  Just as we were about to leave, a peregrine flew up the river before thermalling to a great height and rocketing away.  On our drive back to the campsite we found 6 black grouse having a dust-bath along the roadside and a great grey shrike perched on the telegraph wires.

27th August (114 new birds)
Merlin 1
Meadow pipit 44
White wagtail 1
Bluethroat 4
Redstart 2
Sedge warbler 1
Willow warbler 40
Reed bunting 21