Text messages flew back and forth at 5am this morning. There’d been rain most of the night with a forecast that was a little “iffy”, especially so for a site on the edge of the Bowland fells. There seemed just a small window of opportunity for a ringing session.
“Let’s go for it” was the final message, so I met up with Andy at 0615 at Oakenclough.
The morning remained grey with the camera set at ISO1600 but in between an odd light shower or two we managed a respectable 33 birds.
Our total included one or two warblers and our second Tree Pipit of the week.
34 birds - 11 Goldfinch, 7 Goldcrest, 6 Coal Tit, 3 Robin, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Tree Pipit.
Tree Pipit
Goldfinches were around in some numbers today. As noted earlier in the week, there are Goldfinch flocks beginning to appear in a number of localities.
Goldfinch
Goldfinch
One of our two new Willow Warblers was a tiny individual. The juvenile female had a wing length of 60mm and a weight of 7gms, much on the lower limits of Willow Warbler size and more equivalent to the biometrics of a Chiffchaff.
Willow Warbler
At 1030 we packed in when a strengthening wind brought a heavy shower.
Other birds noted this morning – 1 Jay, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 10 Swallow, 30+ Goldfinch.
Finally, and having the delight of seeing magnificent Marsh Harriers in action this week I was appalled to see the video below. There truly are some disgusting individuals at large in the British countryside.
Please watch it and if you feel as aggrieved as I do, write to your Member of Parliament about what is happening to raptors in upland Britain.
Please watch it and if you feel as aggrieved as I do, write to your Member of Parliament about what is happening to raptors in upland Britain.
Linking today to World Bird Wednesday. Take a look.
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8 comments:
There are lots of disgusting individuals all around the world. Fortunately here in India we have our Wildlife Act from 1972. It works well in theory but ...ummm...
Hello, lovely birds and photos. Your Goldfinch is beautiful. I can not watch the video, any kind of hunting makes me sad. I wish your Parliament would prevent this hunting and protect the Harriers. Enjoy your day!
The Goldfinch and rest of the series are gorgeous, Phil! I hope you are having a great week.
Touch and Go! But I'm so pleased you went!
Oh I just love the birds Phil, especially the goldfinch.
That video though, dreadful.
All the best Jan
Hello Phil: This continuing persecution of raptors is both depressing and disgusting. As I understand it Marsh Harriers are less subject to illegal destruction than Hen Harriers, but obviously the yahoos in this video drew no distinction. Their conversation speaks volumes to the degree of intellectual deprivation they suffer from. Maybe the world will get lucky and they will shoot each other. As you say, there are a few awful people roaming the British countryside. Sad, sad day.
The video was very upsetting indeed. Shame the evil individuals involved were not identified.
I love that little willow warbler. Not sure if I have a photo of one popping out of a hedge.
Enjoy your week.
How horrible! I hate to see things like this!
About the hunting of the beautiful Harriers...Phil were they the birds that in a battle won a bit in their favor this past week? I know that Peter Jones had some petitions to sign for a Raptor that is hunted and it is all so wrong. I signed it via Facebook, just not sure if we are talking about the same birds. Very sad!
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