13th June 2018

Nets opened at 0415 and closed at 1145 in a moderate SE wind that brought occasional light showers from 0900.

A total of 22 new birds of 12 species including (at long last!!) the first Common Rosefinch (Rosenfink) of the season.

At the Swift (Tornseglare) nest box there was a combination of some very good news and some bad. Early in the morning an egg was seen at the entrance of the box, which was then pushed out by one of the birds to smash on the ground. So the good news is there is definite proof of breeding but a sad way to find out. On the plus side it seems that it is not uncommon for Swift to push eggs out of a nest. Exact reasons unknown but might be just clumsy or possibly due to the egg being infertile. On the plus side the female remains in the nest almost constantly now, so must be incubating further eggs. Fingers crossed for a successful outcome.

The drama continued through the morning when a third bird entered the box to be challenged by the male. Meanwhile the female could be heard at the back of the nest box, calling. They remained with legs locked together and biting each others necks for over one hour before the male (ringed yesterday) evicted the challenger. High drama!!!

Less dramatic at the Obs overnight with just Chris & Kay.

Wind: South-east
Strength: Moderate, 4-7 m/s
Temperature: 16
Visibility: Good, 10-20km
Cloud cover: Overcast, 8/8
Precipitation: light showers from 0900


Birds
ringed

Swallow Ladusvala 1
House Martin Hussvala 1
White Wagtail Sädesärla 2
Wheatear Stenskvätta 1
Blackbird Koltrast 1
Lesser Whitethroat Ärtsångare 3
Whitethroat Törnsångare 1
Blue Tit Blåmes 4
Great Tit Talgoxe 4
Greenfinch Grönfink 1
Linnet Hämpling 2
Scarlet Rosefinch Rosenfink 1