Friday, October 15, 2021

Stick Or Twist

There was a 6° and cold but clear start to the latest ringing session at Cockerham. I’d met Andy on site at 0730 and within minutes we had a few nets up. 

Linnets began to arrive but in less numbers than recent weeks. Our best Linnet count today was 130+. As the morning progressed we wondered if constant attention from two, possibly three, or even four Sparrowhawks big and small had caused the previously large Linnet flock to fragment into the smaller groups we saw. 

These Sparrowhawks must find the Linnets a relatively easy catch as they appeared a number of times and used various methods by which to catch Linnets, succeeding just once. In comparison the hawks appeared to ignore the flocks of Starlings we saw throughout the morning. 

Sparrowhawk

Less Linnets round and about meant a smaller catch of that species, balanced out by more Greenfinches, a couple of Reed Buntings and a Redwing. 

Totals caught - 23 birds of 5 species -13 Greenfinch, 6 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Redwing, 1 Great Tit. 

Reed Bunting

Greenfinch

Greenfinch

Linnet

Redwing

Quite suddenly Lapwings are back in our area in large numbers. Many flew over the ringing site this morning heading for nearby fields. And then on the way back home and through Pilling at about 1115 there seemed to be rather a lot of Lapwings in a roadside field. I stopped for a closer look and counted 1700! 

There were piles of Starlings too and although I was more interested in the Lapwings and whether Golden Plovers were in the mix, I knew that both Starlings and Lapwings had recently arrived from similar areas of Europe and that hereabouts it's not unusual to see Starlings feeding alongside Lapwings. 

British Lapwings are mostly resident, but some migrate westwards to Ireland and others fly south to France and Spain. Any remaining winter population is increased to about 2 million by migrant Lapwings from continental Europe. 

From late summer, migrant Starlings from as far as Scandinavia, the Baltic States, the Low Countries, Germany, Poland and Russia join our resident Starlings to make enormous daytime flocks and to form huge night-time roosts. 

Starlings
 
Lapwings
 
At Gulf Lane, our usual catch site for Linnets there was a flock of 50+ in a very similar seed plot to the morning's site not too far away and where we have caught 144 Linnets so far this autumn. 

Now we are left in a quandary with a wealth of places in which to catch Linnets. Do we stick where we are or move soon to tried and trusted Gulf Lane and its 819 Linnets over recent winters? 

Answers please on a postcard to Another Bird Blog........... 

Linking this weekend to United States birders, Eileen's Blogspot and Anni in Texas.


 

15 comments:

Breathtaking said...

Hello Phil,:=) Love the Redwings you have been showing in your latest posts, lovely portraits of all the birds in hand, and this week, Sparrow Hawk, Starling, and Lapwing captures are fantastic.
Have a good weekend.

Shiju Sugunan said...

Love the bird closeups, the Sparrowhawk shot is impressive. Seems as disruptive as the Shikra we see here. I liked the Starlings and Lapwings shots too.

My latest post:
https://craniumbolts.blogspot.com/2021/10/a-staycation-during-rainy-season.html

eileeninmd said...

Hello Phil,

Beautiful birds and photos. Great capture of the Sparrowhawk. The Greenfinch is adorable. I would love to see the Lapwings, 1,700 Lapwings seems like a great number to me. I only need to see one, I would be happy. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend!

Rhodesia said...

Hi Phil, Sorry I am far behind in both blogging and commenting. We have had two short trips away where I have managed to get a number of bird photos, but I have not had the time to go through the photos and they are piling up on me. Maybe with winter approaching and less garden work to do I will have time to sit at the computer.
I love all the birds of prey but I have to admit I am not happy when a Sparrowhawk visits our garden.

I hope by next month I will get back to blogging. Meanwhile, keep up the good work and I hope the linnets return for you to ring them.

Have a good Sunday, Diane

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

We have so many good places to go here in Florida and it's really hard to head out to somewhere different. I love the Sparrowhawk, too...so sleek! Happy weekend!

Linda said...

Excellent photos. I'm trying to imagine counting 1700 birds.

Anni said...

Love the image you shared of the sparrow hawk. I'd opt for the tried & true area for banding. Migration time is all about numbers!

Thanks for linking up with us this week!

Yvonne said...

1700 lapwings is quite a flock. Well, whatever decision you make you'll always have Linnets to band, whether a few or a lot. Starlings are so beautiful, but always make a mess when stopping by our yard. Very nice photos.

Wally Jones said...

I almost wish I had been there. Then I saw that six degree reference. Thank you for your sacrifice.

It seems the Sparrowhawk may be related to many birders: "Why pay attention to Starlings when Linnets are about!"

As to your question, there is no winning solution. If you stay, you will lament what you may have missed. If you, go, same story.

I tried to find a post card to send in my answer but they appear only to be available in antique shops and the postal carrier said they wouldn't know what to do with such a thing anyhow.

A new week is here! Waves of migrants are heading our way! Hopefully, a few birds will be mixed in as well.

Cheers from the colonies.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

the sparrowhawk has really lovely colors

Veronica Lee said...

Stunning photos, especially that awesome capture of the Sparrowhawk.

Happy Monday, Phil.

The Padre said...

Righteous Sparrowhawk There - Sending Positive Vibes

Cheers

NCSue said...

I love checking your posts each week! Thanks for being a regular visitor and for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/10/i-dont-like-that-there.html

Lowcarb team member said...

Lovely photographs Phil.

All the best Jan

R's Rue said...

Beautiful photos my friend.

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