An interesting Lesser Whitethroat which has lost some of its juvenile tail feathers. The two feather on the left half of the tail are juvenile type; pointed, the white parts having a brownish cast; and the corresponding feathers on the right are adult type; broader, with purer white parts. Its likely that the Lesserthroat lost half its tail feathers evading a predator such as a Sparrowhawk.
A clear night and a north north-westerly wind brought a chill in the air this morning and plenty of migrants for the patient watchers. Southbound there were 92 Swallow, 50 House Martin, 22 Meadow Pipit, 7 Swift, 5 Grey Wagtail, 4 Dunlin, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Golden Plover and 1 Cormorant, whereas northbound there were 2 Wigeon, 1 Lapwing, 1 Gannet and 1 Oystercatcher. On site there were 6 Willow Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Tree Sparrow, 4 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Greenfinch, 3 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Kestrel, 1 Pied Flycatcher (probably one of our previously ringed birds), 1 Redstart, and 1 Garden Warbler. A hybrid Tree x House Sparrow (Treehouse Sparrow...?) was also noted with the sparrow flock.
Large Groundling (Teleiopsis diffinis) is usually abundant here, but this year seems to be much less frequent, probably as a result of last year's drought which devastated its food plant, sheep's-sorrel.
Ringing: 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 1 Redstart, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Linnet, 1 Woodpigeon.