5 Curlew & 2 Tufted Duck went south. Numbers of Curlew heading south so far this month have been very low - hopefully this means they are still on the nesting grounds and there are fewer failed breeders heading south in June this year. A Chiffchaff was today's migrant in the land-bird department - is this first-summer individual a tardy late spring migrant or a failed breeder from elsewhere wandering ? A first summer male Sparrowhawk, that was originally ringed last October, put in an appearance having stolen an "oven ready" pullus from one of our Collared Dove nests. We don't often record Sparrowhawk here between mid-May & early August despite them nesting as near to us as Langer Park (although this individual is to immature to be nesting this year). A few more migrant moths are starting to appear with 2 Bordered Straw and the first double figure catch of Diamond-backed moths of the year. Of greater note, however, were 2 Marbled Clover as this Red Data Book species has only been previously noted here before in 2005. Ringlet photo above is possibly the first one ever to have it's picture taken at the bird observatory although this one is obviously a bit shy !
11 birds ringed: 2 great tit, 2 chaffinch, 2 linnet, 1 chiffchaff, 1 blue tit, 1 whitethroat, 1 pied wagtail, 1 starling.