Morfa Berwig Ringing Tuesday 19th September 2017

I dream't of perfect catching conditions today, overcast through the night, dry no wind and an over cast morning. instead clear skies overnight and this morning at least there was no breeze!! but it was cold with a heavy dew.

Using just a few nets there were a few birds to ring, dominated by Blackcaps and Chiffchaff, plus a family party of  five Bullfinch, starring birds were a Cettis Warbler and an immature male Sparrowhawk.

I have never caught a Sparrowhawk before and after much deliberation on my part eventually the bird was aged and sexed correctly, (should have taken the correct text book with me).

Cettis Warbler

Sparrowhawk

The importance of the weather conditions cannot be underestimated, had it been overcast during the night or in the hours before dawn it is likely that night time migrants like Blackcaps would have been more inclined to slow down their migration, a clear night gives them perfect conditions to just keep going until first light.....