Annual Bullfinch Day

The forecast was for a better morning of almost zero wind coupled with bouts of sunshine. Another 0600 start up at Oakenclough where Andy was already out of his car and ready to go.

A check of the DemOn database revealed we started the new month with 137 captures during July including 35 Willow Warblers and 24 Blackcaps, more than we expect and perhaps a sign of a good breeding season.

There were fewer birds this morning with a lack of Blackcaps but a continuation of the Willow Warbler theme with 22 new birds and zero recaptures. Totals - 10 Willow Warbler, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Wren, 2 Blue Tit and one each of Bullfinch, Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Great-spotted Woodpecker.

Today represents our likely annual Bullfinch catch. We see just one or two Bullfinch a year at this site and we are unable to say from where they originate. The species previously bred here in the late nineties and almost certainly still breeds fairly locally.

Despite the rather striking appearance of the male Bullfinch the species as a whole is rather discreet, unobtrusive and even secretive, a bird that is easily overlooked by anyone unfamiliar with its quiet song and calls.

  

Bullfinch 

As with the young Bullfinch, at this time of year young birds that recently left the nest can look rather fine in their fresh plumage. Conversely, adult birds can look rather scruffy after weeks of intensive work and activity in bringing up a family. 

Compare the images below - a juvenile Willow Warbler born sometime in June and an adult Chiffchaff with severely worn flight feathers. 

Chiffchaff - worn adult - 1st August 

Chiffchaff - adult 

Willow Warbler - juvenile/first summer 

Between fledging and its migration south in the autumn the young Willow Warbler will undertake a partial moult of body contour feathers but not flight feathers. This moult is necessary to replace feathers not structurally strong enough to withstand normal wear and tear adequately, or more importantly, the stress and dangers likely to be imposed by the rigours of migration to Africa.

An adult Willow Warbler is exceptional as a species in that it has two complete moults per year, one in the breeding area soon after breeding, the other in the African winter quarters.  This difference in moult strategies of adults and juveniles, and hence the appearance of autumn Willow Warblers, is often the cause of confusion by birdwatchers who claim they can age Willow Warblers in the field. 

The Chiffchaff must soon begin a complete moult and then replacement of all of its feathers in order to be fit enough to return to Africa before winter sets in. A Chiffchaff will take about 6-7 weeks to complete the staged replacement of its feathers.

The Great-spotted Woodpecker was also a juvenile - a noisy and demonstrative individual that drew blood with a series of hammer blows to my thumb.

Great-spotted Woodpecker 

And just the one Blackcap today, another juvenile and a few weeks too early to decide male or female.  

Blackcap

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