Monday, July 09, 2007

week ending 9th July

Things are on the move with all those young birds. Young Common Terns in with parents over main lake - over 20 birds at times now with some loud begging going on. Marsh Tit along Spit at 9.30 on Wed 4th, atop an umbellifer. Also Mandarin. An Arctic T. present early am of 9th. picked up on call. Young fluffy Chiffs moving through the Willows. First Willy for ages (one Norwegian-ringed one early on and then another hybrid, adult Chiff-Willy) caught on 7th. Young Garden Warblers and Common Whitethroats now on the wing. The latter seem to be down in numbers this year. Some better news - young Blackbirds seem to be doing well. Found a Cetti's singing in park. Turtle Doves still purring and visiting nest site. Much Swift activity early on most mornings - have had 34+ at once - but the hirundines disappear when the sun gets up. Fox cubs much in evidence/to Layla's liking. There was a loud gun shot at 9am on 9th - was Ray B after one that had strayed over on to Kingsmead? I had heard fox calls from that direction earlier.
Saturday's ringing results (adult, juv.) - Dunnock 2,5; Blackcap 2,4 - second broods due off soon; Blackie 2,1; Garden W 1,4; Reed W 1,1; Chiff 1,1; Wren 0,1; Goldfink 0,2; Willy 0,1; W/throat 0,1; Monday' short session - Sedge 0,1; Garden W. 0,1; Chiff 0,2; Bullfink 1F,0; Reed Bunt. 1F,0; Reed W 4M+2F,0

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