Yellowhammer overload and a migrant bonanza

Spring is in full swing with migrants on the wing that are doing much to lift the spirits in tune with the rising temperature. Bird ringing has been a joy in the past two weeks, with a wide variety of species coming from the scrub land site at Bondhay. In particular its been Yellowhammer that have continued to flood into the feeding station despite the warm weather. The total for the site in March and April are only 16 shy of the overall group average annual totals as we currently stand on 62 for the year.

Interestingly, after finding a Reed Bunting with only one leg the week before, one of the Yellowhammers also appeared to be worse for wear in the limb department with a missing lower leg. The damage seemed to have occurred some time ago as the leg had completely healed (or it may have been born that way) and the bird didn't seem to be too adversely affected. Both birds were missing the lower leg below the joint which is an unusual place for both to sustain traumatic injuries as a coincidence... There may be some kind of limb losing epidemic sweeping across the site!

I managed to bag my first Swallow of the year today as well as hearing my first Whitethroat singing along with a couple of Willow Warblers. There's a Phylloscopus Warbler at the Crags that I've got my eyes on that sings outside the visitor centre with a mixture of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff song and I wonder whether it could be a hybrid. Its been there for at least two weeks which would make it an early Willow Warbler, but with the way this season is panning out that should come as no surprise!

Finally, here is the earliest Grasshopper Warbler ever caught on Bondhay which was caught today. There population was at an all time low last year, so here's hoping they are on the up this year!