Our field meeting season 2010/2011 concluded with a weekend’s ringing in the high woodlands of the Sierra de Libar. The programme began successfully with the Saturday morning session allowing for many elusive warbler species to be seen, at close quarters and in the hand. I hope all those, over 20 members, enjoyed the experience and it was particularly pleasing to welcome young children. It was priceless to watch young children’s faces as they were able to gently touch birds and see the birds so close, they were also asking plenty of questions! I am sure the experience will last for a long time in their memory and hopefully increase their interest in birds.

As successful as the Saturday had been the weather turned against us for the Sunday. High winds made it too dangerous for putting up any nets for catching birds, the net panels would have blown around and caused stress to any birds that might have been caught and as always with ringing, the bird’s welfare must come first. However nearby water sources, in the form of small natural springs, did attract several birds and made viewing such species as Sub-alpine Warbler very easy. A few other elusive species regularly visited the spring and good views were had of Hawfinch, Cirl and Rock Bunting, Crested Tit and many others. Another ringing weekend is planned for the end of our next season’s field meeting programme.

A collection of some of the species ringed during the Saturday of our weekend meeting.

Bonelli's Warbler. We failed to catch more than this individual as most had already departed south.

Cirl Bunting (juvenile male). One of several ringed on the day.