Sibthorpe, Sunday 17 January

Perfect ringing conditions have been hard to come by this winter, but this morning was as close as we've been. It was overcast and still and the first snow of the season had fallen overnight. Better still, Jim, Elaine and I enjoyed it from the warmth of their house as we looked onto the garden feeders and two nets with ringside seats.

The birds started going in before sunrise and continued steadily until lunchtime. We finished on 72 (58 new, 14 retrap), broken down as follows: Wren 0/1, Dunnock 4/2, Robin 2/1, Blackbird 1/0, Long-tailed Tit 5/0, Blue Tit 1/2, Great Tit 0/1, House Sparrow 3/1, Chaffinch 1/0, Greenfinch 15/0, Goldfinch 26/6.

One of the Goldfinches was a control - the second for the site in just 4 ringing sessions.

The odd Golden Plover flew over, as did a few thrushes and Skylarks and a single Redpoll was around the feeders but evaded capture.

Pete 

 Sunrise, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, House Sparrow (Pete Leonard)