Today we met up with EP to work the cattle enclosure before the animals are introduced to the common at the end of the week. We went knowing that the wind was likely to get up by 10ish giving up about 3 hours netting time before we would probably have to take down.
We knew that the catch total was likely to be low, but with the possibility of Tree Pipit, Wood Lark, Stonechat, Cuckoo and Dartford Warbler, if was still worth making the most of the opportunity.
Our first bird was a humble Great Tit, slightly surprising as it turned up in the middle of a sizable, open area. The next bird was a Stonechat, as was the next, and the next, and the next. Well, if you're going to have a 'samey' catch, you might as well make it a quality species. No luck with the other species that were all seen, but sadly not caught. How often is Stonechat the leading species?
We knew that the catch total was likely to be low, but with the possibility of Tree Pipit, Wood Lark, Stonechat, Cuckoo and Dartford Warbler, if was still worth making the most of the opportunity.
Our first bird was a humble Great Tit, slightly surprising as it turned up in the middle of a sizable, open area. The next bird was a Stonechat, as was the next, and the next, and the next. Well, if you're going to have a 'samey' catch, you might as well make it a quality species. No luck with the other species that were all seen, but sadly not caught. How often is Stonechat the leading species?
5M Stonechat showing moult boundary below
5F Stonechat
Second 5M with OGCs
Second 5F with distressed primaries and secondaries - right wing only
This bird was desperately in need of its next summer complete wing moult.
Total: 5
Stonechat - 4
Great Tit - 1