Some more ringing

Just the weekend this week. I returned from holiday to bright, warm sunshine and a good breeze. Still, it didn't stop me catching a few birds, most of them early on in the day. I was hoping to catch a few Phylloscs but the weather was too fair. Apparently, last Saturday was the big day hereabouts; neighbour John caught 11 new Chiffs and 34 Willies! I did manage a couple of P.trochilus though



The buds and blossom on the apples are developing fast, so it was no wonder that I trapped a pair of Budfinches.




Early doors on Saturday, I trapped my fattest yet, 2CY, male Blackcap with a weight of 21.6g [ESF 40, M2]; only one female 'browncap' was caught.



So, I ended up with 47 birds as follows:
Blue Tit 1 (3)
Great Tit 2
Willow Warbler 2
Blackcap 7 - mostly 2CY males
Wren (1)
Blackbird 2 (2)
Robin 1 (2)
House Sparrow 2
Chaffinch 2
Greenfinch 4 (3)
Goldfinch 10 (1)
Bullfinch 2

It is very useful being able to ring in our good-sized garden (old part of the orchard). Between coffees, I need just 12 minutes to unfurl all 5 nets (170' or 51m). What's more, I can keep an eye on them from my study.
I notice that the Sycamore is in full leaf, even if a bit limp yet, and the Alder and Elm have a 'green flush', while the Ash is coming into flower. The Speckled Woods are doing their dance in the dappled sunshine beneath the apple trees, which the hoverflies are busy pollinating.