Lower Hollesley

We were on the heath today; our aim was to catch adult Dartford Warblers and individually colour-ring them.  The first task was to find a bird before setting the net.  Anna spotted the first bird flitting above the heather before it dived into cover, shortly after two birds were seen.

The overcast grey start to the morning soon gave way to lovely sunshine. There was a flock of about 12 Goldcrests and a few Coal Tits flitting and feeding frenetically through the gorse and birch.  Two Buzzards were also seen soaring over the heath. We caught a Goldcrest and our first Dartford of the year.

If you go birding on the heaths and you see a Dartford Warbler please check the bird to see if it is wearing coloured rings and send any sightings to me.  Over the last six years Paul Newton and I have colour ringed over 150 birds.  Please keep to the footpaths as there is no need to enter the heather; almost all the territories can easily be seen from the footpaths.