Season 2025: what has happened so far

The 2025 season of the Small Island Project has been underway for a few weeks now, welcoming us with an unexpected variety of species right from day one. However, the weather quickly showed its unpredictable side, forcing us to close the nets several times over the past weeks.

Between Sun and Rain: The Start of the Season

The first days were marked by a mix of sunny and windy conditions, interspersed with periods of rain that slowed down migratory activity. Despite this, we recorded several new species for the season, including the starling, Isabelline wheatear, and bluethroat. The 5th of March was particularly positive, with 62 birds ringed, with the blackbird being the most abundant species.

In the following days, the weather took a turn for the worse, with strong winds and rain reducing the number of captures. However, there were still some pleasant surprises, such as a common rock thrush and another wheatear on the 11th of March, making it an interesting day.

Stormy Weather and the First Major Captures

From the 12th of March, bad weather took centre stage, with rain and wind forcing us to keep the nets closed for an entire day. On the 13th of March, despite unstable conditions, we were lucky enough to catch two hoopoes, even though the overall number of birds remained low.

The 14th of March was an exceptional day: with a partial reopening of the nets, we were rewarded with over 100 birds, including a woodcock – only the third ever recorded at the centre! The common redstart was also abundant, signalling the start of a new migration wave.

A Break in the Weather and New Arrivals

After another rainy day on the 15th of March, the morning started off well before a thunderstorm forced us to close once again. Thanks to radar images, we managed to predict the perfect time to do so, avoiding any issues. A new species for the season, a whitethroat, was recorded, along with around 60 birds ringed.

Looking ahead, the wind will be the dominant force over the next few days, but we are ready to reopen the nets at the first opportunity.

Volunteers Wanted!

We still have available spots for volunteers between the 29th of March and the 5th of April! If you are interested in experiencing this unique opportunity and contributing to the monitoring of migratory birds, get in touch with us.

Stay tuned for the next updates! 🐦🌿