21 September 2025

Hi,
A busier day here today. When I got up, I noted the forecast suggested heavy rain was due soon, so I held off opening the nets. The rain arrived and was torrential until about 8:30, once it had eased off I opened all the nets at 9:00. The mild and overcast weather brought plenty of goldcrests, with them making up nearly half of the birds ringed today. Although avoiding the nets, there were small numbers of greenfinches around, munching on the sunflower seeds outside the station, which were disturbed a few times by the sparrowhawk. 

A total of 98 birds were ringed (goldcrest 45, robin 28, blue tit 8, wren 2, lesser redpoll 1, redstart 1, treecreeper 1, garden warbler 2, blackcap 5, great tit 2, dunnock 1, song thrush 1, greater spotted woodpecker 1). 

Hans Erik arrived this evening, ready to take over the ringing when I depart tomorrow evening, and most importantly brought salt, which the kitchen has been lacking this week. I'll be sad to head back to England tomorrow, but have enjoyed my time at Store Færder and hope to come back again soon. Fingers crossed for good weather for tomorrow's final mist netting session. 

Regards,
Meg