Very heavy early morning showers. What air movement there was early on was from NE, but by 10:00 it was westerly and remained so and freshened during the day. Overcast till late morning then mainly sunny.
Ringing this morning was interrupted by a very heavy 45 min rain shower. Nets were set before 06.00 but had to be closed between 06.45 and 07.45. After the rain there were plenty of birds moving around within the reserve but the catch was low.
Grasshopper Warbler 1 retrap from earlier this year. There were two singing birds in the western marsh.
Sedge Warbler 2 plus 3 retraps, one of which was from 2020
Reed Warbler 2
Common Whitethroat 1 plus 1retrap from 2020
Willow Warbler 1 retrap from earlier this year
Blue Tit 1
This striking pose from Kevin |
Janet expects the male to relocate his family here soon. |
A nice shot of a Song Thrush. |
A particularly chunky individual |
By 14:20 there were 2 individual birds
A more streamlined bird but quite rufous |
House Sparrows disappeared from the saltmarsh area just a week or so after lockdown started. Today two had returned
Whimbrel 2 near Red Nab
Rock Pipits 2
It was strangely quiet near the lighthouse, no sign of activity near the waterfall, the lighthouse bird moved on the ringed male when it came too close, but for the most part the ringed bird was feeding in the scrub, then flying into the Power Station grounds. Unfortunately I didn't see it carrying any food away.
This clip is the ringed Rock Pipit feeding with a Starling, it always amazes me how much food the birds find here, from such a spartan area. The Starting finds a grub, probably a leather jacket.
This male Linnet is keeping an eye on me as I approach it's nesting area (MD). |
Report from Pete: