Willy week

Phylloscopus trochilus

Since last time, I have managed early morning sessions in the garden every day so far. Things promised to be a little different as we were 'inundated' with thundery showers and stronger winds from 4pm Friday. However, it cleared up sufficiently and the NE winds died down before dawn on Saturday, returning with gusto by midday.

Undertail coverts of Dunnock aka "Hedge Sparrow" (above) & House Sparrow

Picking up from where I left off last time, Tuesday was a day of sunshine and showers allowing just 2 Willow Warblers to be caught early on before the need to furl, and Wednesday was clear with lighter winds enabling 4 new birds, including 2 more Willow Warblers, to be ringed. Thursday dawned cloudy but soon became sunny, a pity as the winds were light north-westerly (nets nice and sheltered). I caught 6 new birds in the morning including the first (2) female (on size) Willow Warblers of the season, followed by a retrap Dunnock and 3 new Goldfinches mid-afternoon at the feeders. We awoke to a stiff frost on Friday morning which heralded a beautiful sunny day until ... ... An early Great Spot. and a couple of Blackcaps featured.

Adult male Great Spotted Woodpecker

Saturday was another good day with 9 new birds including another Blackcap, 3 Willow Warblers, 5 Goldfinches and a 'control' adult female Blackbird from a couple of miles away, the first inter-change of this species between us.

Male "King Harry" awaiting extraction in the net

Gt. Spot. Woodpecker 1
Blue Tit (4)
Great Tit 1
Willow Warbler 10
Blackcap 4
Blackbird (2)
Robin (1)

Dunnock 2 (2)

Male House Sparrow

House Sparrow 1 (1)
Goldfinch 11

Total over 5 days: 30 (10); 10 spp.

Tomorrow we're scheduled to visit the water meadows, but I don't hold out much hope of a favourable outcome, because there is little or no cover down there at present when the sun shines, as witnessed during a recce on Friday. The weather is panning out to be more suitable (light winds plus cloud) on Monday!!

POSTSCRIPT: Bright sun and stiff NE wind on Sunday meant drawing a blank in the morning. Swallows passing through at the rate of 20-25 per hour. First one back at the garage nest site, sitting on the wires outside, singing.

The builder starts on the roof Monday and I have a site visit planned for Tuesday. Rain and strong winds forecast for the following few days and a coach trip to Swanage on Friday. Bah!