BTO volunteers of the future & news from Long Point

A date set for filming for TV so not surprising that the brief spell of lovely weather last week changed to wind and rain! Luckily the wind dropped enough to put a few nets up to do some ringing with schoolchildren for a Welsh TV programme. In the series, children investigate wildlife in their town. Not many people in Cardigan seem to know about a small Woodland, Coed y Mwldan, between the Co-op and the cemetary but it is alive with birdsong and well-managed by the Woodland Trust.

The children were very enthusiastic and asked sensible questions. Hopefully some will be inspired to develop their interest in birds further.

We learnt something too - Dippers are nesting under one of the bridges in the middle of town!

Meanwhile Richard has sent some news from Long Point Bird Observatory. He is currently at the small Breakwater station and is catching some good migrants despite the cold and wind.
Here he is looking very pleased that he is still banding new species on his third visit, a Yellow-breasted Chat

 Migrant warblers like this handsome Magnolia Warbler are moving through

and this Orchard Oriole was Katie's (another UK ringer, from Bedfordshire) 44th species to band on her first visit to Long Point.

Other birds caught this week include an American Woodcock, Grasshopper Sparrow, Scarlet Tanager, Red-wing Blackbirds, Indigo Bunting and a Tufted Titmouse

Thanks to Beverley Mcleod, who is also at Breakwater, for the photos