And not just talking about the weather, either. That has been bad enough, stopping the painters from getting on with painting the outside as quickly as they had hoped. It, the weather, has been grey and miserable, with long periods of drizzle since the weekend. Today, it increased in intensity - and the wind picked up, too. This has meant I've only been able to net for four, quite short periods since my last missive.
With the wind turning to the north in the east of the country and thousands of birds making landfall on the coast, the autumn migration is really underway at last. Down here in the south-west, the most noticeable event has been the increase in Starlings, with flocks of 25-50 passing overhead. This is a species which breeds in the village in small numbers; they like the thatch but the owners don't like the birds so exclude them with wire netting along the eaves.
I have heard just 2 Fieldfare south, seen a couple of dozen Redwing/Song Thrushes moving north-east and witnessed the unusual sight of ca. 25 Mistle Thrushes over the garden. Other returnees include a Nuthatch working the nearby tree lines and a pesky Grey Squirrel taking advantage of my fat-balls. The trap has come out of store. Say no more.
Well, on to the 18 new birds caught and the 7 re-traps: Goldcrest 3, Blue Tit (1), Great Tit 2 (4), Coal Tit 3 (1), Blackcap 1, Blackbird 2, Chaffinch 1, Greenfinch 2 & Goldfinch 4 (1).
All birds were at about their average weight and fat scores that one would expect for this time of year with the current temperatures (that are due to collapse and go minus tonight), with the exception of one male Goldcrest that weighed in at 4.8g; not a disaster if it could find sufficient food before nightfall.
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| Starling - I do kinda miss them |
Remember the clocks go back to GMT this weekend with the consequence of lighter mornings for a while.
Keep those squirrels off your fat balls - could be very painful.
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