Notable Recent Sightings

10/01 White Stork 1, photo'd near Llansantffraid, still present 15 Jan
01/10 Glossy Ibis 1, photo'd by Osprey camera at Cors Dyfi
17/09 Grey Phalarope 1 juv, Red Ridge Centre, Cefn Coch, photo'd
29/05 Pink-footed Goose 1, over Welshpool, photo'd on 09/06
01/05 Red-throated Diver 1, Llyn Clywedog
07/02 Whooper Swan 44, Lake Vyrnwy
31/01 Whooper Swan 51, Haimwood, Llandrinio
17/11 Firecrest 2, Castle Caereinion
07/11 Barnacle Goose 1 among Canada Geese, Llyn Coed-y-Dinas
07/11 Hawfinch a few, Lake Vyrnwy, also Bramblings
01/11 Short-eared Owl 1, Cefn Coch Wind-farm
01/11 Great Grey Shrike Gregynog
28/10 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy, also 1 on 30th at Eunant
25/09 Gannet 1 juv grounded near Caersws
07/09 Nightjar 1, photographed near Pontrobert
17/07 Quail RSPB Lake Vyrnwy, also heard 20/06 and 08/07
24/04 Long-eared Owl 2, RSPB Lake Vyrnwy
16/04 Purple Heron 1, Cors Dyfi
05/03 Firecrest 1, Lake Vyrnwy
05/03 Short-eared Owl 1, Lake Vyrnwy
14/01 Pink-footed Goose 1, Dolydd Hafren
03/01 Waxwing 20, Meifod; also 5 Welshpool by canal on 01/01. Last: 6 Bwlch-y-Garreg 17/03
   
See Sightings Archive for older records

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Swallows

While watching the large number of hirundines at L. Cyd last weekend, I noticed this lower bird, which can be compared with the adult above. From the crown and throat colouration + short tail streamers, this looks to me like a juvenile beginning to moult into adult plumage. If that is so, and the photo is from 12th May, then I think that this bird is a 2013 chick. Given our Spring weather, then surely this couldn't be a UK bird? I have seen breeding swallows in Spain in February, and I think there is evidence that those adults may move north and have other broods. Could a young bird have been carried along by the migration of others?
Any thoughts anyone?

Posted by at

3 comments:

  1. Meurig Garbutt14 May 2013 at 17:35

    See we bird north Wales 8/5/13.They briefly discuss Swallows breeding during the winter in Spain and occasional juveniles migrating north in spring.

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  2. Chris. T.14 May 2013 at 19:14

    Meurig, many thanks for that which I had not seen. I hoped someone knowledgeable could add to the discussion, and invite others to do so.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous15 May 2013 at 10:06

    Very interesting Chris - hadn't even considered this but I guess it makes sense. Lovely shots

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