Summer Flowers and CES 5

Around each corner there are new summer flowers to be seen.  The Common Spotted Orchids are showing their pink flowers in many places on the reserve.

The scent of the Wild Garlic is being replaced by that of the Honeysuckle.  Moths will visit during the night.  Some of the Honeysuckle will remain in flower right through to the autumn.

Weather forecasts had been scrutinised for several days and despite the menacing predictions a decision was made to go ahead with CES 5 today.  Thankfully the weather had not read the forecast and although there were some showers the full ten and a half hours were achieved in surprisingly good ringing conditions.  248 birds were trapped including Nuthatches, 40 Chaffinches, Redstarts, good numbers of warblers and even Stock Doves and a Rook!  The total was the second best ever for CES 5 and quite remarkable given the foul day we were expecting and the restricted number of additional nets used.  Thanks go to all the ringers concerned who were ready to go at 4am and who hosted several visitors throughout the day.