The First Frost

Windscreens had to be scraped before the bird ringers headed to Foxglove due to the first frost of the autumn.  However there were only some pockets of frost around the reserve.

These fungi were covered in frost.

A spider's web built amongst the red Bramble leaves was also caught.

Nets were raised and net rounds carried out.  A Blackcap and a Chiffchaff were ringed, presumably on their way south.  Long-tailed Tits arrived in the ringing room.  

As did a Treecreeper, whose beautiful markings help to camouflage it against the tree bark, as it searches for insects.

The frost soon lifted and the day was cool with a mixture of sun and cloud.  The wind increased so the nets were taken down early in the afternoon.  In total 144 birds were ringed including 22 Blue Tits and 24 Coal Tits.  Two Great Tits ringed in the nest boxes in the spring of 2017 were processed.

Many thanks to everyone who helped today.