Little Buntings and Rustic Buntings

 The unbelievable tree on la Janda gave up an unbelievable SIX Little Buntings today.  Having seen four on the 27th March and two on the 26th march, I was surprised but not overly shocked.  Someone had seen four here in 2024 I believe.  But on those previous visits I hadn't seen Rustic Bunting, and that's why I decided to return and give it a longer go.


The Little Buntings seem to co-operate if you go very slowly by yourself in the area of their favoured trees.  I think this is why many tour groups are missing them - too many people making too much human presence for them.  They do fly off once you are there for a time, although in my experience, soem woudl return after a while.  This one takes patience, and nowhere else to be!


After the Little Buntings, I took a walk along the river edge around the bow in the river.  One Rustic flew up and away into the undergrowth and did not show again.  Another or possibly the same bird was seen to fly to a distant tree and perch up.  I was disappointed with the views but happy to see my first Rustic Bunting outside of Scandinavia and England in this recently discovered wintering ground.


One of the birds was seen to be ringed, apparently by local ringers the previous year.




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