Saturday 31 October 2015

Bat Rescue!

 Sunrise over Dungeness from Plodland
 Dusky Warbler
As a SE wind was blowing all night I was expecting a good sea watch this morning, unfortunately it was a non event, with a few Brent Geese, Sandwich Terns, Gannets and a Merlin the highlights. At the observatory both Goldcrests and Firecrests were trapped and processed, a Yellow-browed Warbler in the NE corner of The Desert per OL, 4 Woodcock and Continental Coal Tits in The Desert per PT. The Dusky Warbler still present and showing well at times.
 Dusky Warbler
 Dusky Warbler
As Dungeness seemed packed with tourists this afternoon, I opted for a walk from Scotney out to the wind farm and back with Sally. Walland Marsh was windless and warm which is unusual, it was also very quiet avian wise.
On the walk out the low sun made seeing anything in front of us very difficult, consequently little was seen, though a White Wagtail in the sheep paddock was a surprise. Around the wind turbines 3 Common Buzzards were soaring around with a Marsh Harrier. Coming back 2 Tree Sparrows, several Reed Buntings and a couple of Stonechats were seen. I found a Bat impaled on the barbed wire fence. Having never handled a Bat before I was unsure as how to release it with out injuring it. I managed to gently hold it, while unhooking its wing from the barbs, having done that I released it, only to find one of its claws was jammed in the wire, taking hold of it again I unrolled the barb releasing the claw and getting bitten for my trouble, I then released the Bat which flew off strongly. As we walked through the farm yard a Barn Owl flew out landing briefly on a post before heading off towards Bretts. 
 Bat sp???
 Barn Owl
 White Wagtail
A fairly busy night in the Plodland trap with 5 Feathered Thorns which are new for the trap, a Vestal, Large Wainscots, Angle shades etc.

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