The forecast looked good and we expected a rise in the number of birds caught. We started with a modest round of twenty or so birds. The second round was better and gave a real impression that birds were on the move, travelling through the garden together, with a small flock of 11 Greenfinch in one net and 7 Great Tits in another. Chris also had some Great Tit, a few Blue Tits and a single Coal Tit. Was this just the vanguard to an advancing horde of Blue Tits? There were a few new Robins and Dunnocks too. As the morning drew on, it was clear that there would be no high numbers of Blue Tits today.

It was a rare day for us with a lot of different birds migrating overhead but less happening at ground level on the ringing site, so there was a chance to watch Red-throated Diver, Curlew and Dunlin pass overhead with the more often noticed Sparrowhawks. The best bird of the day was not captured, but spent some time in the tall trees around the ringing site. The Nutcracker was also seen by those watching at the tip before flying up, gradually gaining altitude until finally out of sight.

Four Firecrests were caught throughout the morning, the last of these being late enough that everyone on the migration counting course were able to see the bird, in the hand, while back at the observatory for lunch.

Another highlight of the day was a Dunnock bearing ring E666324 issued under the Norwegian ringing scheme.

Totals: 76 (38)

Gærdesmutte / Wren – 5 (1)
Jernsperv / Dunnock – 6 (2 and 1 control from Norway)
Rødhals / Robin – 6 (29)
Solsort / Common Blackbird – 0 (1)
Sangdrossel / SongThrush – 1
Munk / Blackcap – 1
Gransanger / Chiffchaff - 12
Røtoppet Fuglekonge / Firecrest – 4
Sortmejse / Coal Tit - 1
Blåmejse / Blue Tit – 6 (1)
Musvit / Great Tit – 19 (2)
Skovspurv / Tree Sparrow - 1
Træløber / Northern Treecreeper – 0 (1)
Bogfinke / Chaffinch – 2
Grønirisk / Greenfinch – 10
Grønsisken / Siskin - 2