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.