Week ending 25th March - IRRI

A quiet week on the farms overall. The Peregrine is still on the main pylons, and Snipe spp. and Yellow Wagtils are still hanging around, but only a few Oriental Pratincoles or Blue-tailed Bee-eaters yet, and no sign of any Pacific Golden Plovers, they're late...

On the other hand a flock of at least 15 Grey-faced Buzzards were soaring above us while ringing on the upland farm on Saturday, the only migrant trapped being a feisty Brown Shrike. Lots of Barred Buttonquail visible at the moment, and several Philippine Nightjars were on the farm roads when we were going to the ringing site. At least 4 were calling while we were setting up the nets, but no luck catching them!

Ringing totals for the day were, Yellow-vented Bulbul (7), Striated Grassbird (1), Brown Shrike (1), Scaly-breasted Munia (1), plus one each of Chestnut Munia and Red-keeled Flowerpecker released unringed (no 1.8mm rings available).

The Peregrine continues to haunt the experimental farm.

 Swinhoe's/ Pintail Snipe still present

Cattle Egret, looking fantastic at this time of year...

Junior ringer Conor, helping out with yet another Yellow-vented Bulbul...

Striking facial markings on these birds.

A Brown Shrike takes exception to being manhandled...