The day to day ringing must go on, and after Wednesday’s surprise catch of the Little Bunting today’s effort was bound to be a more mundane affair. So it proved, a very slow morning saw just 9 birds caught, 4 new and 5 recaptures. Four new comprised 3 Chaffinch and 1 Brambling, the five recaptures 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Brambling and 1 Chaffinch.
With very few birds about the area I had the distinct impression that the finch flocks of recent months are now well and truly finished and flown to pastures new: the three new Chaffinches were all on the larger size ( 2 x females at 86mm and 1 x male at 93mm) suggesting they may be heading east and north rather than staying in these parts. If the ringing was sluggish the signs of spring were equally so with nothing resembling the March migration that can occur in warmer periods. Last March I was busy catching dozens of Lesser Redpolls as Meadow Pipits and wagtails headed north over my head, but with the current cold weather and northerly winds migration will be delayed.
There are just token photographs from the ringing today, but maybe a Lesser Redpoll portrait soon?
Brambling
Chaffinch
There were a few signs of Spring, mainly in the form of 3 loudly drumming Great-spotted Woodpeckers at dawn, this followed quickly by a Corn Bunting singing from the annual tree; I don’t know what the Corn Bunting will do if that tree disappears.
Other sightings: 1 Barn Owl, 3 Buzzard, 4 Kestrel (2 pair), 2 Stock Dove (pair), 14 Fieldfare, 2 Jay, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Shelduck, 12 Tree Sparrow, 8 Corn Bunting.
So there’s yet another Kestrel photo.
Common Kestrel
The Robin waited patiently for breakfast again this morning, the light falling in a better direction for a portrait. What a Little Stunner our common or garden Robin is, much better looking than a Little Bunting!
Robin
Click your way to Another Bird Blog very soon for more news and pictures of spectacular birds, rare or otherwise. Linking to Weekly Top Shot and I'd-rather-b-birdin.blogspot.with Mr Robin above.
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19 comments:
Still seems like a successful ringing day. Adore your robins. Ours are boring in comparison.
Phil, nice that you are seeing or hearing signs of Spring. I am ready to start seeing some spring birds return. I was still hoping to see a Redpoll before they headed back north. The Kestrel is cool, great bird sightings and photos.
token photos maybe but very interesting to those of us with none of these birds in our localities. Very nice photos at that Phil
Oh yes, Phil, your robin is much prettier than ours, which is bigger and darker.
I have a soft spot for finches, however, especially since we visited the Galapagos Islands, and your chaffinch is looking bright-eyed, if not bushy-tailed.
K
Bonita captura del Petirrojo.Un abrazo
That would be a tremendous number of songbirds for me! Your robin is indeed a beauty, and I'm sure I've said a zillion times, much lovelier than the American Robin.
Your little robin is cute as a button. xo
The Robins in our area are so fat! They have eaten well over the winter. Great shot(s).
Your photos are so lovely! My favorite is the adorable little robin. So pretty!
Visiting from Weekly Top Shot :)
Tammy
ourneckofthewoods.net
Wow! Fantastic bird photos ~ Love the Kestrel ~
enjoy ^_^
Oh I love that perky little robin!
I'm back, having recognized your robin in its thumbnail picture at the Camera Critters meme. I still think it is ever so cute, Phil.
K
your robin is adorable. :)
Superb Phil. Your work continues to amaze me and thrill me to know such a kind guy who does this work with birds!!! But, after reading your list of sightings, I must go out to Google once again and find the stock Dove as I've not heard of this species.
Have a great week ahead.
ps...okay, a stock dove looks so similar to a pigeon. I learn something from you each and every time.
Lovely serie of photos! Nice to see!
Great series Phil. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Lovely birds, especially the kestrel.
The Robin caught my attention but that Kingfisher in your banner is awesome. I will be back as I want to see more.
Janice
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