Saturday morning was going to be the best of a bad bunch of yet another week of rain blown in from the Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Off the south westerly sea currents, air temperatures have been unseasonably but not uniquely warm; but that’s no use if we’re unable to get out ringing.
During the week Will volunteered for the supplementary feeding and had a good spot count of 70 or so Linnets, a couple of Reed Bunting, Chaffinch and Greenfinch. He saw again the Marsh Harrier that we think may have taken up temporary residence while the weather is so mild. He also saw a single Swallow, again, not unprecedented in wet and warm late autumns.
With Andy in Pisa for Pizza the team today was me and Will for the 0630 meet at the farm.
The breeze was too strong across the seed plot for catching Linnets so we stuck to a couple of nets in the sheltered spots.
Although we knew we wouldn’t catch many birds it was just good to get out in the fresh air after being stuck indoors so much - 13 birds - 5 Reed Bunting, 2 Wren, 2 Great Tit, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Redwing and 1 Blackbird.
The Redwing was caught early morning as was the Blackbird, the latter an example of a ‘continental’ first year male with streaky throat, scalloped breast & belly with all dark bill. Both species were in evidence for the first hour or so with maybe 15/20 Redwings and a dozen or so Blackbirds plus a single Song Thrush on the move.
Redwing
Blackbird
Our supplementary seed drops are now definitely bringing more Chaffinches and Reed Buntings. Our count this morning being 15/20 Reef Buntings (5 new caught) and 15/20 Chaffinches (2 new caught).
Chaffinch
Reed Bunting
A pair of Stonechats has been in residence for weeks now as they both range across a defined territory, all the while sticking like glue, one to the other. They might well stay throughout the winter but the more likely scenario is that after a couple of days of cold frosty weather they will disappear when their preferred insect food becomes hard to source.
Stonechat
Other birds seen/heard - one large female Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 15/20 Meadow Pipit, 60 Linnet, 12 Skylark, 2 Greenfinch.
The breeze picked up to turn our nets into wind socks. We called it a day at 1030 but we’ll be back.
Linking today to Anni in Texas and Eileen's Saturday Blog.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteThe windy days are not often good for the bird sightings. You did manage to catch some good birds. Love your closeups, they are all beautiful. The Stonechat is one of my favorites. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.
Hello Phil :=)
ReplyDeleteI love all your bird captures. It is a shame it was so windy, but it's been very windy here too, enough to prevent me from going outdoors, this, and the heavy rainfall we have been having.
I am interested in knowing if catching a lone Redwing is unusual! I hope the Stonechats don't leave it too late to migrate when the weather gets frosty and cold.
I also hope your weather improves so you can get out in the fresh air again.
All the best.
It's hard to do anything in high winds but you sure saw a lot of birds. We've had wind and rain this week but now it is beautiful. Hopefully we'll see some birds when we go out tomorrow. Be ready...the Jeep will pick you up in the morning!
ReplyDeleteThe Stonechat is so sweet. I love seeing your birds that are so different from ours here in Canada.
ReplyDeleteWe have the same weather these days. Like your captures, especially the Stonechat.
ReplyDeletePhil - I am catching up on posts after our trip to the UK. We had a mixture of rainy and sunny days up North - we were able to enjoy several walks without getting too wet or windblown! One walk we saw loads of Great Blue Herons and Mute Swans.
ReplyDeleteLove the Stonechat.
When we left Montana, it was definitely Autumn - day after day of blue skies and 65-degree temperatures. We returned to Winter!
Even with high winds and "foul" weather, I think you two saw quite a few!! And even seeing and working with just a few, it's success in my book. (Loved seeing the clear marking of the eye ring on the blackbird).
ReplyDeleteIt's always a pleasure having you share your blog of birding news with us at I'd Rather B Birdin'. Have a super week ahead.
Pity about the wind, but although your catch was smaller than normal, to me they were interesting.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is good to get out into the fresh air, it looks like we have a week of rain ahead of us. We need it we are still short after the drought so I guess we cannot complain.
Enjoy you week, Diane
Foul weather fowling can be frustratingly foul.
ReplyDeleteWe appreciate your reporting your net results of netting on the net.
You obviously need to contribute to better salaries for your tee-vee climate change personalities in order to receive more favorable forecasts.
Love the close ups of the Redwing and the Blackbird.
Here is hoping for better weather, more birds and reliable supply of coffee.
All is well here as long as we avoid news of the destruction of our system of electing government representatives. It was a nice country, while it lasted.
There are birds to behold! See ya later.
Your birds today are interesting - I hope you have wonderful birding days to come.
ReplyDeleteYour closeups are beautiful, Phil.
ReplyDeleteI especially love the Stonechat.
Happy Tuesday!
Beautiful birds..I've never managed to have one sit on my hand, except one time when I was at St. Mark's square in Venice and lured the pigeons with the bird-food on my hand! That was more scary for me than cute!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2022/11/10-months-gone.html
ReplyDeleteBearing in mind the bad weather, I think you did well on your sightings.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the Stonechat, lovely colouring.
All the best Jan