The weather hasn't been all that conducive for ringing of late - and probably not for the birds, as well, while many are undergoing their annual moult in preparation for winter or a long journey south. Seven new birds in the garden/orchard and 12 new birds down at the meadows/stream is not a lot to show for eight days at, what should be, peak migration time.
Today, I noticed more Blackcaps around, 'ticcing' from the trees and hedgerows. Yesterday, we were lucky enough to see 14 Whimbrel just after dawn, in-off the Bristol Channel on their way to some resting and feeding spot further south. The birds were calling and flying in line-astern. The most noticeable event of the week was the number of newly fledged, and, as yet, unmoulted juvenile Wrens, six in all (or 25% of the catch!)
The lists:
House - Blue Tit 1, Chiffchaff 1, Wren 3, Blackbird 1, House Sparrow (1) & Goldfinch 1. Every bird was a juvenile.
.JPG) |
| Juvenile Whitethroat |
Farm - Kingfisher (2), Blue Tit 1, Long-tailed Tit 1, Chiffchaff 2, Blackcap 1 + a control, Whitethroat 1, Wren 3, Robin 1, Dunnock 1.
 |
| Juvenile (female) Kingfisher [retrap] |
Again, all juveniles except the controlled Blackcap, which was an adult male and just over half way through its wing-moult. [Y922nnn if anybody's interested]
As I have family duties to attend to over the next three days, it will be the weekend before we get another chance for ringing or birding. I've also been told that the badger cull starts hereabouts next week, with pre-baiting already on the go.
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