Today we met up with CJH to try for Stonechats for the Natural England project. We had had previous reports of good numbers of birds back on site, but that wasn't the case today as overcast skies and a chilly breeze inhibited movements of Stonechats. At one location, three birds ignored the audio-lures, preferring instead to feed around the Galloway cattle as insects were disturbed by the browsing animals.
After 5 hours with 2 panel nets up at 6 locations we had only two birds on the record sheet with just one being a project target.
6M Stonechat
Total: 2
Meadow Pipit - 1
Stonechat - 1