Friday, February 22, 2019

Consolation Prize

The Linnets gave Andy and me the run around again this morning; they just weren't having our attempts at a catch. After three hours of watch and wait we came to the conclusion that the 150 or so Linnets of recent weeks are now wise to our antics. This idea was reinforced somewhat on our last visit of 12th February when two of those caught had been ringed in late 2008. 

Linnets 

Although the Linnets stayed clear we caught a single Skylark and a close encounter with another, two of the several around this morning, four or more of which were singing males. 

Skylark 

A quick search of our data showed that before today our Ringing Group had ringed just 5 full grown Skylarks scattered through the years from 1986 - in 1986, 1987, 1991, 2007 and 2010. We have had more success with the ringing of nestlings with 56 youngsters from about 16 nests over the same number of years. 

Skylark Nest

A local project to find, map and ring nesting Skylarks would seem to be an ideal venture for a keen and dedicated young birder wishing to enhance their ornithological credentials.  

The infrequency of catching a Skylark called for a check of the literature. Svensson reminded us that wing length can be a decider in separation of the sexes. In our case 111mm meant that we almost certainly had a male rather than the slightly smaller female. 

Svensson 

Ageing was much more difficult since both adults and juveniles have a complete moult including wings and tail during July to September, with the result that by the following spring, adults and juveniles look much the same.  We found that our bird had very raggedy tertial feathers together with well-worn primary tips, all of which suggested a summer rather than an autumn moult; hence a likely adult of unknown age. A Skylark can live up to ten years. 



So, no Linnets but a welcome consolation prize in the shape of rarely encountered Skylark. 

Other birds this morning - Kestrel, Buzzard, 8 Chaffinch

If the weather folk are right, which they sometimes are, warm air emanating from the coast of West Africa could bring settled days plus birding and ringing opportunities very soon. Stay tuned. 

Linking today toAnni's Birding Blog and  Eileen's Blogspot.


20 comments:

Hugh said...

Have you thought about whooshing them if they are coming to bait?

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Good morning Phil: I guess the Linnets are catching on. But as compensation the Skylarks don't sound too bad to me. This all really illustrates the vagaries of bird banding doesn't it? Am I right in thinking you'll be heading off for fun in the sun soon? Then you won't even give a thought to mist nets and familiar birds.

Phil Slade said...

Yes Hugh. We are whooshing.

No David. No fun in the sun just yet. Only next week if our own weather forecasts are true.

italiafinlandia said...

Beautiful shots!
The warm wind is now blowing until here in Finland...

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

Love the pretty Linnets and the baby Skylark's in the nest are adorable. Great photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day. Have a great weekend.

Tanza Erlambang said...

waw...little baby in the nest.
Great shots.
have a wonderful weekend

sandyland said...

smiling broadly over that skylark nest

Anni said...

I am in LOVE! Those babies are so darned sweet!! Too bad the birds are getting wise to your ways of 'trapping' them. And congrats on the elusive skylark!!

Thanks for sharing your day with us birders at I'd Rather B Birdin!

Lowcarb team member said...

Love the babies in the nest …
Here's to a sunny week ahead!

All the best Jan

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh my goodness look at those hungry skylark babies! If only the linnets understood that you were there for their own good and that you meant no harm!

Rhodesia said...

Haha, clever Linnets their little brains are working over time. Never mind it was still a reasonable day and an interesting one as well. Have a good week Diane

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Beautiful photos but my fav is the babies in the nest.

Jim said...

Great post.

mick said...

Great photo of the nest with the babies - definitely a favorite for most people. Sure wish I could share some of our hot weather with you - if you would enjoy it!!

Angie said...

Phil - love the skylark nest - almost looks like three close-shaven tenors in full song!

Lady Fi said...

Fabulous shots.

Fun60 said...

Amazing photo of the nest.

betty-NZ said...

Nature is always full of surprises! Thanks for sharing this experience with us. Great images.

TheChieftess said...

Your photo of the baby birds is precious!!!

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Those Skylark babies are so precious!!! The Barn Owl on another post with the Whooper Swans I believe they were was quite wonderful along with all of your other shares. It's been a rocky time for me and I share on Facebook due to family members being there and share every couple to 3 weeks on here now. The whole Google+ thing caused me a great deal of stress, but I have saved as much of the thousands of comments made there as I can and I have to just have faith that everything else will remain the same. I am now back as a Blogger and I hope that will stay around. I want to check on a few more posts of yours~

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