Quite a few Whitethroats, Sylvia communis, were to be found, defending territories or setting up nests.
I think the one I was photographing here from the first bridge across the stream might perhaps be a male, as although its head wasn't so clearly grey as I would have expected, it wasn't truly brown either. There is quite a clear eye-ring, and I rather think that the brown on the head might be superficial and might be about to wear off. It is still quite early in the season, and most of the females have perhaps not arrived yet. It is known that the males arrive first, and prepare "cock-nests" for the approval of the female. This bird does seem to be the same bird throughout (there appears to be a dimple in the forehead just to the left of the beak in at least some photos), there was a distinct pinkish tinge to the breast, and it was singing well in between visits to the nest, on the other side of the stream, so it is at least possible that it is a male.
The next two pictures are perhaps more clearly a male, if indeed it is the same bird!! To be honest the only thing I can really suggest is that it is an adult, partly because it must be as it is nest building, but also because the iris is not anywhere as dark a brown as would be expected in a juvenile bird, and so the light brown of the iris clearly contrasts with the dark pupil in the centre! The inside of the eyelid is said to be reddish, and I wouldn't strongly disagree, although I wouldn't strongly confirm either!
The beak is also quite well shown in the picture below. The upper mandible is dark horn, the lower is flesh-yellow except at the tip where it is also dark horn. The cutting edges are flesh-yellow. The inside of the mouth is yellow-pink.
The legs are brown (not as pale brown as I have read) with the toes perhaps slightly darker.
In the nominate subspecies, Sylvia communis communis, the moulting process is a complete moult post-breeding before migration, although perhaps partly suspended for the migration period, and then a partial moult pre-breeding. In the Eastern subspecies, volgensis, rubicola and icterops, the post-breeding moult is partial, and the pre-breeding moult complete.
Nominate males then arrive on the breeding ground with fresh head and body plumage, i.e, the head and body will tend to be browner than the text-books generally suggest. The wings and tail are likely to be more worn, perhaps explaining why it is very difficult to see the normally stated white edging to the tail in this particular bird.
The post-breeding moult is primaries and secondaries descendent, working from P1 outwards towards P10, and S1 outwards towards S6. The suspension of moulting, if it occurs, is more likely to delay the moulting of the secondaries than the primaries.
While I was watching the whitethroat, there was also a Moorhen fussing about on the bank, before it slowly swam off.
The Muscovy Duck was by the feeding area:
The Greylag Geese were present in small numbers around the feeding area, looking in good condition.
One pair had three fairly new goslings.
The Mallards are looking well paired up, and svelte! Here is a drake.
There was one Muscovy drake as well.
Way out in the middle of the Ocean, there were Sand Martins skimming over the water and feeding, but too far away to be more than a blur in the photo.
There was an Andrena species female solitary bee in the shelter by the side of The Ocean, with a shiny black top to the abdomen, but I couldn't be sure of the species. Quite possibly Andrena nitida? (2021 guess).
I think the one I was photographing here from the first bridge across the stream might perhaps be a male, as although its head wasn't so clearly grey as I would have expected, it wasn't truly brown either. There is quite a clear eye-ring, and I rather think that the brown on the head might be superficial and might be about to wear off. It is still quite early in the season, and most of the females have perhaps not arrived yet. It is known that the males arrive first, and prepare "cock-nests" for the approval of the female. This bird does seem to be the same bird throughout (there appears to be a dimple in the forehead just to the left of the beak in at least some photos), there was a distinct pinkish tinge to the breast, and it was singing well in between visits to the nest, on the other side of the stream, so it is at least possible that it is a male.
The next two pictures are perhaps more clearly a male, if indeed it is the same bird!! To be honest the only thing I can really suggest is that it is an adult, partly because it must be as it is nest building, but also because the iris is not anywhere as dark a brown as would be expected in a juvenile bird, and so the light brown of the iris clearly contrasts with the dark pupil in the centre! The inside of the eyelid is said to be reddish, and I wouldn't strongly disagree, although I wouldn't strongly confirm either!
The beak is also quite well shown in the picture below. The upper mandible is dark horn, the lower is flesh-yellow except at the tip where it is also dark horn. The cutting edges are flesh-yellow. The inside of the mouth is yellow-pink.
The legs are brown (not as pale brown as I have read) with the toes perhaps slightly darker.
In the nominate subspecies, Sylvia communis communis, the moulting process is a complete moult post-breeding before migration, although perhaps partly suspended for the migration period, and then a partial moult pre-breeding. In the Eastern subspecies, volgensis, rubicola and icterops, the post-breeding moult is partial, and the pre-breeding moult complete.
Nominate males then arrive on the breeding ground with fresh head and body plumage, i.e, the head and body will tend to be browner than the text-books generally suggest. The wings and tail are likely to be more worn, perhaps explaining why it is very difficult to see the normally stated white edging to the tail in this particular bird.
The post-breeding moult is primaries and secondaries descendent, working from P1 outwards towards P10, and S1 outwards towards S6. The suspension of moulting, if it occurs, is more likely to delay the moulting of the secondaries than the primaries.
While I was watching the whitethroat, there was also a Moorhen fussing about on the bank, before it slowly swam off.
The Muscovy Duck was by the feeding area:
The Greylag Geese were present in small numbers around the feeding area, looking in good condition.
One pair had three fairly new goslings.
The Mallards are looking well paired up, and svelte! Here is a drake.
There was one Muscovy drake as well.
Way out in the middle of the Ocean, there were Sand Martins skimming over the water and feeding, but too far away to be more than a blur in the photo.
There was an Andrena species female solitary bee in the shelter by the side of The Ocean, with a shiny black top to the abdomen, but I couldn't be sure of the species. Quite possibly Andrena nitida? (2021 guess).
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