Starting with the 12th March, A very early start (5-30am) saw us off to a new site for myself, Vine House Farm. The site was laden with seed and birds though the conditions were not perfect a good catch of 7 Brambling and 70 or so other birds met us throughout the day. Also of note was a Goldfinch controlled from out Fenland site, not a significant movement, probably less than 5km but nice to see the birds were getting around.
After this we moved ourselves to Bourne Woods and Bob's garden, this time for the Redpoll again, 5 new Commons bringing the total upto 62 this year, really quite something!
Now 13th March, down the fen once again, a fairly average catch, though 10 Brambling once more, really quite common nowadays but exciting enough to still mention with pride!
Rolling onto this weekend (19th) and the morning started with some good news for myself, I had a Blackbird rung down the fen last year controlled in Helgoland, Germany! My furthest movement and so far only forgein recovery. The smiles had already started and first round was leading to a good day. I had my first Sparrowhawk, almost a bogey ring tick for myself, we had seen the young bird flying around a fair bit this year and eventually he ended up in the net. The day ended with 104 ringed and 19 Brambling leaving the fen total for the year at 200!
