A small contingent of members undertook a mist net session in and around the crop field on 12th June. We caught 31 birds of 14 species. A number of birds were juveniles and it was useful to examine the plumage and feather condition of these known age individuals.
This 3J greenfinch shows the striated breast and the markedly pointed tail typical of a juvenile.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
This robin is in pin (age code 3JP) and the juvenile feathers are being replaced with those typical of adults. The yellowish tinge to the outer edge of the greater coverts is typical of juveniles.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
This very streaky & speckled stonechat is another 3J bird. The pointed shape at the ends of the dark central marks on it’s tail are also juvenile features.
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
After the ringing session was over we were delighted to watch the first sand martin investigating an artificial burrow in the wall near the Discovery Hut.
Robin Pearson
