Marsh Hawk and More Swallows

Ian and I had another ringing session at the Swallow roost last night and it was quite successful. We ringed a further 50 Swallows and also 'controlled' a bird too. Y625423 anyone? In addition to the Swallows we ringed a single Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting. It was obvious the numbers roosting had increased and we estimated that at least 1,500 were coming in to roost, but it is always difficult to tell.

Talking of roosting birds, we noticed some Blue Tits flying in to the 'bulb section' of a street lamp as we were waiting for the Swallows to come in. How many went in to roost in the street lamp I'm not sure, but we saw 4 or 5 go in before it was time for us to splash our way through the reeds.

The Marsh Hawk in the title refers to the stonking views Ian and I had of a juvenile Marsh Harrier early on. Just as we were unpacking our gear Ian spotted the Harrier 'quartering' over some reeds with an agitated Grey Heron in tow. I think Grey Heron mobbing a Marsh Harrier was a first for me! Ian grabbed his camera and according to 'sod's law' the Harrier disappeared. Fast forward ten minutes as we were putting the mist nets up the Marsh Harrier came 'sailiing' directly over our heads. And again 'sod's law' applied as neither of us had our camera with us!

So no new pictures, just a 're-cycled' close up of a Swallow in the hand from the roost last year.