Little Robin orange-breast

Prompted by this article, I've dug out a couple of pictures of a Robin I ringed in Catalonia last spring.



This bird really stood out, both from the British birds I'm used to seeing and from the birds I'd previously ringed in Catalonia. It was caught at the end of March - after most of Robins (which are winter visitors only in the area) had left; indeed, it was the last Robin to be ringed at the site. As well as the obvious plumage tones, the bird (a 2nd year/"1st winter") had also undertaken a relatively limited post-juvenile moult, which would also suggest a more northerly/easterly origin.

Hampshire

I spent this weekend in Hampshire with Mssrs Howe & Stockwell. Blustery condition weren't ideal for tracking down the White-tailed Eagle that's been in the area for a while; Joe managed to get brief views as it disappeared behind a row of trees but Ash and myself were preoccupied with other things at the time and never did see it.
Moving on to Cut Bridge, at least three Lapland Buntings were feeding in the stubble field including one bright male bird. Also plenty of Brent Geese and waders here. Further along the coast at Pennington Marshes, 33 Eurasian White-fronted Geese were feeding in a field by the side of the track.
At Blashford Lakes, a redhead Smew was on Rockford Lake and assorted finches, including Lesser Redpolls and Bramblings.

Final stop of the day was at a rather bleak Holmsley Inclosure were we saw a whole load of not a lot.

In the garden

This male Blackcap appeared in the garden this morning.

Plenty of Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch still; also two Coal Tits coming to the feeder together - both unringed. That means we have at least four individuals visiting the garden.

Just another day

1-1-11

I woke up this morning with a banging head, aching muscles, sore throat, and eyes that really didn't want to open. The cause was either the one single whiskey I'd had last night or the flu jab I'd had on Thursday; on balance, I'd go for the latter. I seem to have finally lost all enthusiasm for 'new year' this year - it took me about 15 minutes to realise the Blackbird I'd just seen in the garden was my first of the year, and I'd given up counting by the time I saw species 2, 3, 4 and 5. The original plan was to go for a walk somewhere along the north Wales coast but with the weather looking a bit grim and my legs not feeling up for a long walk we headed to Marbury country park instead.
There mere was still frozen, so nothing to look at there, but two Ravens flew over and the feeders were busy with the usual woodland species, including a Stock Dove. No Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers (again) but watching Bullfinches, Treecreepers etc is always nice.