Bramblings that is, but only two new ones today. After the wind suddenly dropped at lunchtime I went to Out Rawcliffe where I checked and topped up the feeders, chucked more mixed seed on the ground and put up a couple of nets.
At the moment the short days mean that with a midday start and birds heading off to roost soon after 3pm it leaves just a couple of hours catching time. Birds caught 1230-1430, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Robin, 1 Great Tit.
Although it’s just a small sample of 11 birds, 8 of this week’s Bramblings have been first year males, the remainder three females.
Brambling
Brambling - first calendar year male
One of the male Chaffinches was especially “adult” with very squared off and dark tail feathers.
Chaffinch
Chaffinch - adult male
The Reed Bunting was a tiny first year female, wing length 73mm only.
Reed Bunting
Other birds seen, in no particular order: 4000+ Woodpigeon, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 1 Buzzard, 1 Merlin, 1 Kestrel, 8 Skylark, 30+ Goldfinch, 10+ Reed Bunting, 4 Brambling, 1 Snipe, 2 Woodcock, 18 Chaffinch.
Woodpigeons
Jay
Tonight there’s babysitting, hence the rushed post. Never fear, Another Bird Blog will be up with the lark tomorrow looking for more birds to report. Stay tuned.
This post is linking to Anni's I'd Rather Be Birding blog.
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8 comments:
Hi Phil, I do love your Brambling! And the Jay is pretty too. Great captures! Have a great weekend and fun babysitting!
Okay...tell me, what kind of Jay is this? I've not seen one like ever before.
Thanks for linking up
Hootin' Anni AND I'd Rather B Birdin
Nice report and wonderful detailed images of the feather patterns!
Great post!!!
Lovely Chat-finch portrait and would love to see a jay. Looks so handsome. Raining for the weekend here and would be happy with a couple of hours birding.
Love all those little bird and the pink Jay is definitely a first for me.
Great post Phil! I love those close-up shots of the bird in hand, being able to see the detail in the flight feathers and tail is really cool. The European Jay and especially the Kestrel in your header are superb!
Great shot of the Jay, Phil.
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