Archive for October 2011
Back to Durlston this morning, where in spite of breezy conditions we ringed another 60 birds. Highlight undoubtedly was this Wheatear we caught at dawn.
The Northern Wheatear has one of the most remarkable migration of all passerines. It breeds all right across the Palearctic and also in eastern arctic Canada and Alaska. All the populations winter in Africa, which means that those from eastern Canada and Greenland make a non stop migration across the Atlantic before entering Africa, whilst those from Alaska travel the entire way across Asia to arrive in the same area. The species is very rare in the continental USA in spite lying so much closer to the Nearctic breeding grounds. The birds we see in autumn are probably from the UK / Scandinavian population, although the larger, longer winged birds are likely to be from Greenland.
The first Wheatear we have ringed at Durlston.
In the evening I helped set up and catch 40 Pied Wagtails as they came to roost at Lytchett Bay. A late Hobby entertained us as we were waiting.
Ist year Pied Wagtails are very variable, the extent of white feathering on the nape of this individual is unusual.
The grey back of this bird makes it look like an adult female....
..... but the contrast between the greater and primary coverts and the greyish primaries show that is a first year bird, the longer wing length helps to confirm that is a male.
I offered to show a friend and former colleague, Anne Bunn (different Anne to the one that retired last Friday) some ringing and as today was mutually convenient we met at Lytchett Bay first thing this morning.
It wasn’t the most succesful of visits with only six new birds ringed and three retraps, but at least Anne was able to see seven species of bird in the hand.
Here Anne is modeling a new line in orange wellies..
This Dunnock with a single white feather in the tail is demonstrating an aberrant plumage.
Later I headed for Stanpit, Christchurch Harbour. In the last few years there had been a small autumn influx of Glossy Ibis into the country apparently originating from southern Spain, but few have stayed long in Dorset. The attraction of three together had me heading over to Christchurch, where I had good views, in admittedly difficult light conditions, from the Priory Marsh boardwalk.
Three Glossy Ibis with three Little Egrets, a sign of global warming?
Two ibis showed particularly well...
...but soon took off...
....and landed across the marsh with the third bird.
Stanpit was covered with migrant Meadow Pipits...
...and a few Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails.
Wishing to make the most of this unseasonal weather, Margaret and I went for a short walk from Studland village to Old Harry rocks.
Old Harry rocks, one of the most spectacular.....
....and accessible spots on the Dorset coast.
There were a few migrants, mainly Chiffchaffs, some in song, adding to the illusion that it was mid summer. Swallows overhead and Brent Geese in the bay with temperatures in the mid thirties was another strange seasonal juxtaposition.
Good numbers of Mediterranean Gulls were seen in the bay or in a ploughed field nearby, perhaps 40 or more. A couple of Ring-necked Parakeets shot overhead at the start of the walk.
Adult winter Mediterranean Gull. Photo from the internet.
Later we headed for Knowl Beach for lunch and a short spell on the beach. It was as crowded as an August weekend, well not an August weekend in 2011. Our topsy turvy climate means that our only beach visits this year were in April and October!
Summer time is here again !
The extraordinary warm weather continues. We opted to ring at our alternative Durlston site, the ‘goat plots’ on the slopes overlooking Tilly Whim caves. This is a lovely site with views over the sea, allowing seawatching (and in this case sunbathing) if the ringing is slow.
Although there was a lot of visible migration, or ‘vis mig’ to affecianadoes, with flocks of Goldfinch, Siskin, Pied Wagtails and the occasional Skylark heading east there were few grounded migrants. This settled spell has allowed the birds to continue their migration without the need to stop on the south coast.
What we lacked in numbers we made up for in quality with two Firecrests and a Green Woodpecker trapped.
Another stunning Durlston dawn
Compared to the juveniles illustrated on the 12/8 and 2/9 blog entries, this Green Woodpecker has completed its post-juvenile moult. Seperating it from adult plumage is based on fine differences to the barring of the coverts.
Along with Goldcrest, this Firecrest is UK's smallest bird. The mainly yellow crown indicates it is a female.
Whilst the stunning orange streak on the second bird's crown shows it is a male.
It was back to work this lunchtime, or at least back to the Pathology rest room for the retirement presentation of a friend and former colleague, Ann Hitchcoe.
Like me, Ann has worked in laboratories for most of her life (apart from a break when her children were small) and like me Ann decided to enjoy life and get out as soon as it was practical.
Ann and lab director Simon Hill
During the evening Ann organised a similar party to mine, booking the Black Sheep band at Upton Community Centre for a barndance. http://www.blacksheepband.co.uk/
Black Sheep
Kara, Margaret and me
Kara looks the part
Ann dancing
The drink flowed freely …
Ann is supported by her family – literally!
Jessica Pietrangelo and Anne Bunn
Simon Kellaway
One of the sad things about retirement is that I won’t get to see many of my former colleagues, like Lisa, very often.
gryllosblog 