Early to rise, late to bed.

The CES site was opened by 4.15 am and in 6 hours we caught 13 birds, including some local retraps (which is the point) and some interesting birds, including my first female siskin, presumably a local breeder. A white tailed eagle flew low over us, probably one of the three seen late yesterday. We wrapped up at 10.15 am and headed back to the observatory. The sign was out for another English guided tour, which did get some interest but only for the following day. It was then getting equipment prepared for a nightjar ringing session that occupied our time. Net poles and lines, nets and playback devices had to be found and checked, as well as the ringing paraphernalia that we’d need.

A quick afternoon snooze (as we’d had an early morning AND were looking at a very late night) followed by a quick dinner and we headed off at 9.00. After a few hours on site, we caught our first nightjar, a male, which I got to ring. This was quickly followed by another, a female, and then later another female before we called it a day at 2.30am. The whole tI’m e we were treated to amazing flybys by up to three birds at a time. A successful evening, and possibly pencilled in in the near future for another try.