Tomorrow morning will be the last morning's ringing for Daniel, Esben and Stav. It has been a good trip for them ringing a reasonable number of birds. For Stav, from Israel she has not only enjoyed some new birds but the weather too - it is noticeably cooler than the Hula Valley. During her visit she has had the opportunity to ring several new species, including a new one today: yellow wagtail, bringing her number of ringing ticks this week to fourteeen.

Apart from the blue tit which caused her much joy earlier in the week, several of the other birds she has enjoyed have been: sparrowhawk, common linnet, grasshopper warbler, wryneck and yellowhammer.

The sparrowhawk was a pleasing bird for her as it was the first raptor that she had handled and ringed, while the processing had a frission of excitement about because of the birds talons, skillfully avoided, just.  A yellowhammer got her very excited not just because of the birds vivid colours but it is a bird that is extremely rare in Israel, so not only a ringing tick but a totally new species too.  This also applied to the linnet. 

Though grasshopper warbler and wryneck occur in Israel they are exceptionally rare, so getting to handle both species was a double treat.  The wonderful colouring and patterning on the wryneck is a strong image that she will take away with her, along with very pleasant memories of a location that she has thoroughtly enjoyed: isolation, beach, butterflies, birds, general ambience accenuated by vivid greens; and pleasant people and company who she thanks for the wonderful experience.

Today we were also joined, for the second morning, by Robin and Mathi and their father; both the boys are interested in becoming ringers.  They certainly showed interest and knowledge. 

Esben explaining bird ringing to Robin and Mathi

Wing of a 1k Yellow Wagtail (Gul Vipstjert)

People present at the bird observatory: Henrick Jorgensen, Chris Sharp, Shave Shay, Esben Hansen and Daniel Bloche