At first light, it was in the net along the hedge, up from where they were nesting. No.1 fledged Robin of the year. Later in the day, I caught another, which was even smaller than the first. Another pair are still feeding young in the nest, away from the netting area, but it won't be long before they're off, too. In between feeding his scattered brood, the male finds time to defend his territory with song.
Another phenomenon is the number of new Blackbirds already ringed this month, twelve. In the previous three months, I caught and ringed 24. The majority are males and some 2CY birds are looking the worse for wear, much as this one below, where the tail feathers have broken off along the growth bars. At some stage in its young life, it (he) must have missed a meal or two.
Another female Blackcap was seduced into the garden by the singing male in the 'Robin hedge' at the bottom of the garden.
Blue Tit 1
Willow Warbler 2
Blackcap 2
Blackbird 4
Robin 2 (2) - the r/ts were both of our territorial males
Dunnock (1)
Goldfinch 1
Not so perfect ringing weather as you might think. The skies are blue with just a hint of high cloud at times, the temperature ranges from 1C at dawn to 22C in mid-afternoon, the winds are light but predominately from the north-east - which suits Arctic Terns and House Martins ... but I don't have a step-ladder big enough to flygg them!
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