Bill Mackie (@birderbill.bsky.social)

JULY RINGING TOTALS 2025 196 birds of 26 species won't be breaking any Landguard records but we have had some interesting highlights this July. Willow Warblers have stolen the show. Reflecting on the last 10 years our highest July count for 'Willies' ringed was 10 in 2023 whilst in 2022 and 2018 we failed to get one at all. This month we managed 36 so have they decided to take a different route or are they beginning to leave earlier? 3 Green Woodpecker seems to be a reflection of a reasonably good breeding year and 3 Black Redstart is good with at least 2 local broods having success. Cetti's have enjoyed another successful year of colonising and where are these Sedge Warblers appearing from? Juvenile Siskin also another species we don't usually get. Ringing total suggests Linnet has struggled again and whilst better than last years 6 birds ringed we would ideally hope to see 50+ ringed. House Sparrow is another local species of concern and has been low for the last couple years. Previous July's before 2023 we would ring between 20 - 60 no problem. No visit from the Starlings yet this year another factor in keeping the overall total down. http://dlvr.it/TMDLc9