A fabulous day of ringing!

Oh my gosh yesterday could not have been better!

In the morning we were ringing round my hide and caught some nice species including a stunning Mistle thrush which was a first for me! We also caught some Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, the first summer migrants I have rung this year!

And then we went up to check the owl box which stock doves have taken up residence in and rang the two chicks! Another new species that I haven’t rung before!

And then the lapwings!!! I have about 3 or 4 pairs nesting in the field next to me and I have always really wanted to ring them!

So today we drove out and started the mission! We only ring the chicks as the adults fly up as soon as you get out of the car. But the chicks are very hard to find, they crouch down and blend in with the ground very very well!

We watched a pair with a couple of chicks for a while with binoculars, before running out to find the chicks. Unfortunately this time we didn’t find them – it was really frustrating as we knew they were looking right at us but we just couldn’t see them!

On the way back to the car, we did stumble on a nest with 4 eggs that haven’t hatched yet – so that was still very cool!

But anyway, we drove round to the other side of the field and found a new pair. We only watched the chicks for about 5 minutes before running out to get them!

To begin with we couldn’t find them, but my brother spotted one running a few metres in front of us! And once we found one, two others started running and we managed to get them two!

We rang all three and it was just amazing to see them close up! I have really wanted to ring them and it was one of the best experiences!