At last, a morning without rain. First priority this morning was checking the Hambleton Swallows where the second broods are later in the season than is normal. I knew from previous notes at least one nest would have chicks for ringing, or that is if they had managed to survive the last 3 days of rain and the resulting reduced food intake. I needn’t have worried, as although the five youngsters have proved to be slow developers, they were large enough for a ring each. Three other second nests were at full egg stage but a week or two behind their normal progress at this time of year.
Graham the land owner who follows the success and failures of his Swallows with huge interest asked me “Have you seen the nest in the old garage?” the old building that Swallows use in some years only. Off I went anticipating a new Swallow nest I had overlooked but found instead a Woodpigeon guarding a nest with a sizeable chick. That’s the first Woodpigeon chick I ever ringed in a building.
The day brightened further, enough to chance a walk down Pilling Way. The sea wall was rather quiet, even the finches down to single digit counts of Linnet, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Meadow Pipit. I came across another 3J Wheatear, an unringed bird but a similar looking individual to the one I caught on 12th July. This latest bird was also attracted to a meal worm lunch.
Between Pilling Water and Fluke Hall my counts were of 700 Curlew, 115 Lapwing, 18 Oystercatcher, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Pied Wagtail and 3 Grey Heron. I finished my agreeable morning on a nice little high with 3 Little-ringed Plovers on the wildfowler’s pools, filling up nicely after the recent rain – It’s an ill wind etc.
Un poco feo el pobre polluelo, pero todo mejora con el paso de los días, magnífico trabajo Phil, recibe un abrazo amigo
ReplyDeleteHey Phil...my words that is a ugly child that poor wood pigeon has,but I suppose we all can't be beautiful : }}
ReplyDeleteGood that you got some sunshine , and was able to get out and poke around and harass a few bird!!Congrat's on your first inside bird ringing!!
PS I am trying for that Kestrel post ..wow did I take all those photo's...
Looks like the pigeon found a cozy spot. Great post and photos. I just love the cute plover.
ReplyDeleteVery good post and photos, too.
ReplyDeleteRegards!
The woodpigeon chick looks kinda scary to me...We also have a few species of woodpigeons in Thailand as well, but they all live in deep forests.
ReplyDeleteThat is one lovely and large Woodpigeon young one there, and those charming little Wheatears, just love them. It is so nice to know too, that the landowner keeps a keen interest in the Swallows...very nice~
ReplyDeleteThat is one lovely and large Woodpigeon young one there, and those charming little Wheatears, just love them. It is so nice to know too, that the landowner keeps a keen interest in the Swallows...very nice~
ReplyDeleteThe Little-ringed Plover looks almost like our killdeer here. I always liked juvenile birds, they are much easier to photograph. Phil love your images, especially the header. Anna :)
ReplyDelete