Wagtails and Warblers

The last week has shown a shift in the species we are catching as one by one the migrant species return.
A male Blackcap in my garden at the beginning in the week was only the second ever ringed there. This was the same day as big Blackcap migration was noted on Skokholm, Ramsey and Bardsey Islands amongst many other locations.

Willow Warblers, Chiffs and Goldfinches added to the variety that day.

In the evenings we have been out on the The Teifi marsh at dusk to catch Wagtails.

The hirundine roosts have been spectacular with hundreds of birds low over the reeds.
Yesterday evening we ringed 4 species - 13 Wagtails ( 11 White, 2 Pied), 8 Swallows, 7 Sand Martins and the first 2 Sedge Warblers of the year...

A cold and foggy start on the marsh today saw a morning of quality not quantity including Chiffchaff, a Reed Bunting which was colour ringed for our BTO RAS and a retrap Cetti's Warbler ringed back in 2012.
The first Grasshopper Warbler of the year was special as we didn't ring any at all last year. Usually only two or three a year apart from an exceptional year in 2011 when we ringed 16!
This back view shows the well marked plumage of the Grasshopper Warbler

 We are still waiting for the first Reed Warbler to return. Maybe tomorrow....