Saturday 28 May 2011

Hirundines at Manoa Valley.

Report. R.Lane 28th May 2011

I went down to Menagwins this afternoon.
 
             Late Immigrants: On a visit to St.Aust.Sew.Wks, in this afternoon's drizzle, I was quite surprised to find 50+ Hirundines feeding over the filter beds. helped by the fact that the 3 species present frequently landed on telephone wires I was able to assign the following proportions as a rough guide: 5+ Sand Martins; 30+, House Martins and 15+, Swallows, with 1 x Swift !
              More surprising were c.100 x Swifts (and another 20+ H.Martins) feeding above woodland trees nearer the London Apprentice. All these, would be late immigrants and may be seen into the 1st week of June, ONLY in wet weather. Such flocks in July in POURING rain tend to be feeding flocks, drawn from nesting sites in the Restormel catchment, for instance 10+ Sd.Martins from clay-pit sites (e.g. Carluddon) being one indication. The heavier the rain the higher the number of birds from a distance, (which MUST feed their young).

Nice collection of Hirundines Roger.
I guess you will be watching the grand Prix tomorrow.....I have a feeling Vettel will be beaten.

No comments:

Post a Comment

 
CURRENT MOON
>
free counters Fatbirder's Top 500 Birding Websites