Spring

It was another pleasant day here at Falsterbo; warm, sunny and still. Ringing was varied with 15 species caught (totals online — click Ringing). We ringed our first Willow Warbler of the year, a 3+cy male (aged by iris colour — I will say something more about this at a later date):

Other notable species included three Linnets; this one is a 2cy male:

And an adult female Lesser Redpoll:

A 2cy female Starling was ringed, easily sexed by the pale iris (which I always think gives them quite a startled look) and the pink bill base:

Ageing criteria are similar to those used for males though with the caveat that females are generally more speckled and less glossy than the same age class of male.

One of yesterday's Firecrests put in another appearance, looking even brighter in today's sunshine:

This afternoon, we did the weekly count around the northern area of the peninsular. Highlights were a Red-necked Grebe, several hundred Avocets, a brief treecreeper sp., and good numbers of Pintail and Sandwich Tern.