Size does Matter!

On my way through East Langdon today I noticed that the Swallows were feeding over the Moat, u=nlike me oblivions to the rain. They were taking their rest periods on the wires and although I wasn't able to tell the males from the females it did illustrate how the streamers are variable and some do get damaged.

Looking at these three, and remembering that females are supposed to use the size of the streamers to judge the suitability of the males to be their mates, you could imagines the scene. This chap would, perhaps get a start in life, but would probably be dumped when something better turned up. A sort of Mr Average.

This one reminded me of the famous sketch by Pete and Dud (the audition for Tarzan).

Mrs Swallow: "Mr Swallow - you are, I believe, auditioning for the part of Mate."
Mr Swallow: "Right".
Mrs Swallow: "Now Mr Swallow, I couldn't help noticing - almost at once - that you are a one-streamered Swallow."
Mr Swallow: "You noticed that?"
Mrs Swallow: "I noticed that, Mr Swallow. When you have been in the business as long as I have, you come to notice these little things almost instinctively."

Mrs Swallow: "Need I say with over much emphasis that it is in the streamer division that you are deficient."
Mr Swallow: "The streamer division?"
Mrs Swallow: "Yes, the streamer division, Mr Swallow. You are deficient in it to the tune of one. Your right streamer, I like. I like your right streamer. A lovely streamer for the role. That's what I said when I saw you come in. I said, "A lovely streamer for the role". I've got nothing against your right streamer. The trouble is - neither have you."

This would be a simple "Well hello Big Boy!"

Splish Splash, on a Saturday morning.

I don't know why, but Starlings are not universally appreciated. A lot of garden birders seem to resent the fact that Starlings can come mob handed and consume all that lovely food put out for the more favoured species. like Robins or Blackbirds. Personally I love their bold and amusing personalities.

The Starling family nesting under the eaves is out and about and this morning they enjoyed splashing about in the bird bath. I don't know if it id the male from this family, but a Starling is regularly sitting on our roof doing and impeccable imitation of a Little Owl. The first time I heard it, it was so good that I started scanning through the tree in the front garden it case their really was a Little Owl there.

The little Waterfall an stream flowing into the pond provides ample opportunities for those birds wishing to have a quieter splash away from the noisy Starling mob. Since early spring there's been a Blackcap regularly singing in the garden, and today it was joined by a female for a brush up.

I don't know if they have bred, either in the garden or adjacent to it, as I haven't seen any young or either of the adults carrying food. One thing that has changed is the males song. Instead of the free flowing musical treat that he was giving us in early April. all we get now is a short few phrases and then he cuts off. I think that this is the general trend with territorial male Blackcaps but whether it indicates that they have bred I don't know.

Once here bathing was done the female came out onto a rock and had a quick shuffle before flying off into some denser cover.

The male, no longer looking the dapper, smart bird that he normally does had a good shake of his wet feathers and spent some time rearranging before he followed her.

A surprise awaited me when I went though my moth traps this morning in the form of not one, or two or even three Rannoch Loopers, but four, two in my MV trap and two in my Actinic trap.

It is classified as nationally scarce, breeding in long-established birch and coniferous woodland, in parts of eastern Scotland; also appearing as a migrant on the southern coasts of England.I hadn't recorded it until 2009 when I had two, one on Jun 9th and one on the 26th. Last year, when there was a significant influx in the south of England I recorded six, all after Jun 28th, so this years record are considerably earlier. I have heard of other records from last night, one in Kent, one in Surrey and Two in Dorset. I suspect there were probably may more and that we are in for another influx.

Cricket Teals- what?

With fresh water getting scarce this summer, with the lack of ditches and muddy puddles, the Restharrow Scrape may become a focus for bathing and drinking birds while it lasts.

At the back of the scrape today it was good to see the family of Oystercatchers, with three fluffy chicks. The adults were very protective, frequently attacking any crow or gull that got too close to their offspring.

I noticed quite a lot of Stock Doves feeding out on the fields as I drove along the Ancient Highway and several came in to drink at the edge of the scrape.

A meadow Pipit cam in for a bathe on the edge of the nearest island. I was too small to attract the attention of the resident Coot. that seemed to take exception to anything encroaching into it's space and chase them away.

Once fully wet it came over to the grass in front of the hide to preen and dry out.

The stars of the show were three Garganeys, one female, one male in eclipse and one male in almost full plumage. an old name for the Garganey is Cricket Teal, named after the peculiar croaking call.

Once the two duller Garganeys got into the Coot's space it they were forced to retreat by the aggressive Coot.

A little later the more colourful male arrived, having worked it's way up from the far end of the scrape. Although not quite as smart as the one that paraded in front of the hide on 17th April 2008 it still was showed some of its characteristic scapulars.

The House Martins, from the estate, were popping in for their building materials. I don't know how many have arrived yet, many of the long distant migrants from Africa seem to have arrived somewhat late this year and so far in low numbers.

The three Garganeys finally got together in front of the hide.

Male Garganey

female Garganey.

I did manage to find one decent moth in my MV trap this morning, a White Spot, a Red Data species that breeds in just a few places along the south coast. Pictures and details on my Moth Blog.