April 11th
Overnight southerly winds continued throughout the day , light showers just before first light looked to add to a day with good potential.
At day break I had a Kestrel in off the sea and groups of Swallows and Martins were regular throughout the morning with Sand Martin making up the majority of the hirundine passage of around 100 birds. At 0750 a wonderful flock of 17 Ring Ouzel passed over the Obs, they looked like they may settle on the golf course but were disturbed and instead headed over Longis reserve towards the campsite area. Again an excellent passage of Phylloscs was reflected in the day ringing totals of 254 birds processed. Highlights were: our 6th Control since ringing commenced 4th March (a UK ringed Willow Warbler) a male Redstart, our first Whitethroat of the Spring, 1 Sand Martin and 1 Firecrest. The following three species continue to dominate the ringing figures; 95 Willow Warblers, 72 Chiffchaff and 42 Blackcap were processed today. There was an increase in Linnet numbers around the reserve area where there were also 2 Wheatears. Early afternoon I saw 5 Ring Ouzels on Longis reserve, alas none found our nets ! Finally at around 3pm we heard our first Cuckoo of the year, the bird appeared to be on the terraces below Essex castle. The weather looks set for a repeat performance tomorrow, should be another busy for the ABO !