20 Willow Warblers on the island today, the first warblers to arrive on their return journey to Africa.
Caught and ringed a couple of days ago was a juvenile Cuckoo - too young to have flown to the island so we can only assume that it was born on the island. Cuckoos were seen earlier but it was assumed they were travelling through. However, we have now to assume that a female has laid an egg or two in some of Bardsey's passerine nests - Steve's guess is either Meadow Pipit or Dunnock. They have bred before on the island but I don't have the year yet. Can someone tell me please. Will the next returning breeder be a Corncrake I wonder!
Steve played a Storm Petrel tape this week and caught two birds which were ringed.
Richard Else is back on the island on Saturday to continue his Shearwater study. Steve's Assistant, Richard Brown, will be leaving for a short break - if you read this Richard, let us know what you are getting up to off the island (as if I didn't know!). His reply will, of course, be "birdwatching"! If you are passing Penkridge, drop in for a cuppa - the other Bev might cook you a meal!
Richard is holding the camera on both photos.
Bevan
No comments:
Post a Comment