Brackenhurst, Saturday 30 March

What with the time of year, calm weather and cold nights, my hopes were high for handling a decent number of Yellowhammers, and so it proved! It was a steady stream of birds and we processed 86 individuals of six species, including 70 Yellowhammers!

Our team of Cliff, Issie and myself set nets at the feeders and in Orwin's. The oldest Yellowhammers were from 2016 (3) and 2015 (1). As previously these older birds turn up later in the day and in early spring when presumably they’re on or near their breeding territories.

Birds of note away from the nets were 20+ Fieldfare and a Blackcap singing in his usual spot in the blackthorn blossom.

Species totals were (new/retrap) 50/36, total 86: Chiffchaff 3/1, Goldcrest 1/1, Great Tit 2/4, Dunnock 1/0, Reed Bunting 1/2, Yellowhammer 43/27.

Below, see photo of Yellowhammer & Chiffchaff for size comparison!

Jim

Yellowhammer & Chiffchaff (Issie Connell)