9th April

9th April

About 20 Swallows were over the pond on Longis nature reserve first thing this morning and 2 Snipe also remain. 4 Wheatears were on the cow field adjacent to the reserve and there was an LRP this evening on Longis Beach at the North end.

The proposed 30mph winds did not transpire and there was a good fall of migrants especially around Essex farm sewage works.  A very busy days ringing ensued, we processed  253 birds including our first Pied Flycatcher and Grasshopper Warbler. Also ringed were 3 smart male Redstarts, a part leucistic Willow Warbler (pictured below), along with a French Ringed Willow Warbler control. An impressive 152 individuals (60%) of the total birds processed were Willow Warblers along with 47 Chiffchaffs and 30 Blackcaps.

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Willow Warbler  9th April Essex Farm- Primaries 1-3 on left wing pure white, right wing P 1&2 plus PC 2 also white.  Overall much paler underparts.

 

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1st yr Male Pied Flycatcher 9th April Longis Reserve.