Broadwater GP - 26 August 2014

This morning threatened rain but the cloud was low, and as it was still dry after our son had been dropped off at work, we decided to try for Swallows at the sailing club end of Broadwater Lake. The gap at the end of the parking area was narrower than we had thought and we were only able to fit in a 40' net. We put up another 60' with the intention of opening it in between the showers.

We had a couple of audio-lures on and after a while the calls drew in some of the 200+ hirundines that were feeding over the lake. The rain was becoming a little harder when the first three Swallows went in from the side of the lake. Just as we went to extract them a Hobby came storming into the flock and straight into the net. We managed to keep hold of it (even though I (DKL) slipped in my efforts to get round the otherside of the net quickly, landing in some nettles, and now have severe nettle rash - that's still tingling even 5 hours later).

The bird was 2nd summer individual.

 

Hobby aged 5 

There were some more Swallows over the next couple of hours and a single Willow Warbler.

 

Juvenile Swallow 

There were a few lulls in the rain before the weather began to close in and just before we packed up a Sparrowhawk was also captured.

 

Sparrowhawk 3M

Totals: 17

Sparrowhawk - 1
Hobby - 1
Swallow - 14
Willow Warbler - 1