Ring Ouzel
Year List update:
126 – Lesser-spotted Woodpecker
127- Lesser
Whitethroat (blythi)
128 – Blackcap129 – Willow Warbler
130 – Swallow
131 – Sand Martin
132 – House Martin
133 – Red Grouse
134 – Ring Ouzel
Welcome to my blog all about my birdwatching, wild bird ringing activities and moth recording at Linacre Reservoirs, Derbyshire; in Great Britain and abroad.
Showing posts with label Siberian Lesser Whitethroat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Siberian Lesser Whitethroat. Show all posts
Monday, 15 April 2019
Year List Update- 14th April 2019
It's been over a month since I last updated the year list, and, since then, I've added quite a few new species, including a "lifer", the Siberian Lesser Whitethroat (blythi) that I caught and ringed in February (see here). As you can see, most of the new species are summer visitors, except for the Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (heard at Linacre on 30th March - my first record there since 2014), and the Red Grouse, seen yesterday at Stanage Edge.
Year List update:
126 – Lesser-spotted Woodpecker
129 – Willow Warbler
130 – Swallow
131 – Sand Martin
132 – House Martin
133 – Red Grouse
Year List update:
126 – Lesser-spotted Woodpecker
129 – Willow Warbler
130 – Swallow
131 – Sand Martin
132 – House Martin
133 – Red Grouse
Sunday, 7 April 2019
Lesser Whitethroat "blythi" - 3rd February 2019
Back in February (3rd), I had my first garden ringing session on 2019. I had the 20ft net up by the feeding station and caught just 8 birds including 2 Blackbirds, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Bullfinch and 2 Long-tailed Tits (first for the garden).
The highlight of the morning, however, was the very last bird, which turned out to be a LESSER WHITETHROAT!! I've only ringed 1 previously, so I was very excited to see this species in the net, but, given the time of year, I was even more surprised to see it, and my first thoughts were.... is this an "eastern" type bird?
The first thing I noticed once in the hand was the small size, and the 2 prominent outer tail feathers. The tail feathers, in particular, looked interesting, so I quickly "processed" the bird (put a ring on, aged it as a 5, based on 1 retained greater covert, and a tail with 2 generations of feathers, and measured the wing, 63mm), before phoning a more experienced ringer to get some advice. Numerous photos were also taken showing the wing, tail and body.
I was advised to retain any feathers lost during ringing, for DNA analysis. These feathers were subsequently sent to Aberdeen University, where said DNA analysis was carried out, confirming the bird as an "eastern" Lesser Whitethroat, subspecies blythi!!!!!!!!!
This is the first confirmed record of this subspecies in Derbyshire. There have been 2 previous "possibles" 1 in 1998 (a bird seen at feeders in November and December), and a bird seen in a garden in Eggington from December 2013 to March 2014.
The highlight of the morning, however, was the very last bird, which turned out to be a LESSER WHITETHROAT!! I've only ringed 1 previously, so I was very excited to see this species in the net, but, given the time of year, I was even more surprised to see it, and my first thoughts were.... is this an "eastern" type bird?
Lesser Whitethroat "blythi"
The first thing I noticed once in the hand was the small size, and the 2 prominent outer tail feathers. The tail feathers, in particular, looked interesting, so I quickly "processed" the bird (put a ring on, aged it as a 5, based on 1 retained greater covert, and a tail with 2 generations of feathers, and measured the wing, 63mm), before phoning a more experienced ringer to get some advice. Numerous photos were also taken showing the wing, tail and body.
Lesser Whitethroat tail
I was advised to retain any feathers lost during ringing, for DNA analysis. These feathers were subsequently sent to Aberdeen University, where said DNA analysis was carried out, confirming the bird as an "eastern" Lesser Whitethroat, subspecies blythi!!!!!!!!!
This is the first confirmed record of this subspecies in Derbyshire. There have been 2 previous "possibles" 1 in 1998 (a bird seen at feeders in November and December), and a bird seen in a garden in Eggington from December 2013 to March 2014.
Saturday, 1 March 2014
Siberian Lesser Whitethroat
This winter has seen several records of over-wintering Lesser Whitethroats in Britain. Several have been spotted feeding in gardens on suet feeders, and at least two have been caught, ringed and their DNA has been analysed by scientist in Aberdeen.
The upshot of all this clever science is that the birds seen in Sheffield and Tynemouth; Northumberland, have been identified as "Siberian Lesser Whitethroats", most likely from Kazakhstan!
There is an article on the Sorby Breck Ringing Group website with a picture of the Sheffield bird here .
Information about the Tynemouth bird and pictures of another bird seen in a Derby garden can be found on the Birdguides website here.
The upshot of all this clever science is that the birds seen in Sheffield and Tynemouth; Northumberland, have been identified as "Siberian Lesser Whitethroats", most likely from Kazakhstan!
There is an article on the Sorby Breck Ringing Group website with a picture of the Sheffield bird here .
Information about the Tynemouth bird and pictures of another bird seen in a Derby garden can be found on the Birdguides website here.
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