Above - This Black Drongo perched out near the ringing station.
Above - Grey Nightjar. Larger than ours and very impressive. I was glad to pull this back after the lads saw it in the field yesterday.
Above - Lanceolated Warbler. Now there's a tale. The dutch ringer came back and reported that he had a 'Lancelot' warbler. I like it. That'll stick. Thats it in this picture. So after processing I took the bird to show the crew. A cracking little thing it was tiny. I released it onto the ground near cover to watch it run away. It ran about 4 feet then took flight. Everyone watched through their binoculars as it flew along the fence line next to the bushes. After about 50 yards a Brown Shrike, unseen by me, took off from some nearby sticks and flew, spotted flycatcher fashion, grabbed the hapless lancey and knocked it to the ground for breakfast! The crowd gasped with cries of 'oh no' just like in a cinema when theres a scary bit in a horror film. To make matters worse, a second shrike flew in to help pull the little bird to bits... I took some stick that day. I'm now branded a murderer, only steps behind Peter Sutcliffe...
Above three Rubythroats - Top, imm female, centre adult female and bottom my hand with a stonking belter of a male...ho ho ho...
Above - Me at 5am looking worse for wear with Brown Shrikes. Lancey killers.
Above - FS male Sibe Blue Robin. I was lucky to handle a few of these in various plumages.
Above - ADMc looks on a Radde's...
Above - Radde's and Dusky Warblers but which is which? Get your homework done for the autumn...
Above two - Brown Shrike. The Lancey was an apperitife, this one decided to have a go at Tom...
Above - Thick billed Warbler. One of my absolute highlights. I got to grope two of these.
Above - female Black faced Bunting.
Not bad eh, 4 lifers before breakfast...
