I had another session at the Swallows last evening, just doing a pre roost rather than a proper roost session, there's a lot of work for one person doing a full roost especially if you get overrun with birds at sunset.
In the end I caught just 12 Barn Swallows, but to add interest I caught the first Stonechat for the site, there are at least six breeding pairs on the reserve and they have had a particularly good year judging by the number of young around.
This was an adult male undergoing its "post breeding moult" this involves a complete change of all the feathers making this individual look rather unkempt.
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| Adult ♂ Stonechat |
It is clear to see in the wing the difference between the faded un-moulted primaries and the fresher new primaries.
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| Stonechat wing, new and un-moulted primaries clearly shown |
This morning I returned for another session, with the nets set and ready by 05:15hrs, a steady few hours with a total of 23 birds processed, not a huge number but there was quality in the form of a Garden Warbler, as well as several Sedge and Reed Warblers plus a Blackbird, a couple of Goldfinches and a very juvenile Robin.
I was joined by Veronica at 07:00, nice to have company and nice to have a hand to put everything away.
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| Garden Warbler |
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