Being a bird observatory one major tasks is to keep track of the birds that pass through or are resident on the island. When days are calm and dry enough the nets are unfurled to catch birds in. There are nets in various location all around the island, in the observatory's garden, through a number of withy's and at a plantation. When unfurled these mist nets are barley visible and when birds try to pass through they become entangled.
When the nets are open regular rounds are done by the ringers every fifteen minutes or so to check for birds that have been trapped. If birds are found then they are carefully untangled (expertly done here by Mike and Ben), placed into small cotton bags and taken to the ringing hut to be rung.
To the ringing hut
Birds are hung up in the order they were caught and await their turn to be rung.
The right sized ring for the particular bird is then chosen and fastened around the leg with a pair of ringing pliers.
Measurements of the bird are then taken, this includes aging done by the condition of the feathers, wing measurements, weight and sometimes fat and muscle measurements (these measurements are particularly useful for migrant birds).
All these measurements and ring numbers are then written down in the right books and filed. If a bird is caught that already has a ring attached the ring number is noted down and all the same measurements are made as with un-rung birds.
The birds are then released, maybe slightly confused as to what was going on but unharmed and free to go about their daily business, HURAY.
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