07/07 Greenham Common

 Location: Greenham Common - Western Enclosure wk 2026 wk28-Tue

Session: 07/07/2026 07:40 to 10:55hrs

Present: IW, JL.

Weather: bright sunny, hot, breezy.

Nets: 48metres 3 Rides, up from 08:00 to 10:30 hrs

Lures audio: (BC-CC-FC-GC-GW-WH-LW-WO),(W-WC-RT-SF-TP-YW),(GH),(RT), intermittently.

The first Lesser Whitethroat of 2026 here. After re-consulting the ID guide (Svensson) and checking the photos decided it to be an adult just starting its main moult. The deciding factor was the whitish eye crescent of the top portion of the iris just discernible in this photo. Juveniles birds have a plain brown iris and no crescent. 

Notes: The forecast was for the beginning of another extra hot period and so it was, particularly towards the end of the session. The capture was much as expected though we are usually getting a few Willow Warblers now; these are notably absent for the time of year including no singing males except on the first visit in week 25. Once it became uncomfortably hot, around 10:00hrs it was noticeable that bird activity over and about the site dropped.

Recaptures: (00)

Sightings: A family party of Stonechats were in the enclosure as we arrived to put the nets up. At least two Dartford Warbler active for much of the session including some song. IW spotted the Swifts high-up towards Newbury.