The harmless hunt for the feathered grail

LATE summer is a lean time for the birdwatcher.

The nesting season is over. Territories are being abandoning and there’s not much birdsong. New feathers must be grown to replace ragged worn-out ones and, until the moult has been completed, flying skills are limited. It’s no time to be noticed by the local sparrowhawk and the wise bird stays hidden. Fortunately, there is plenty of food; many insects are still on the wing and berries are ripening. This low-profile behaviour makes life difficult for the birdwatcher. Even when a bird is seen, its feathers may be in tatters. Dishevelled individuals can be difficult to identify even in the hand. Juvenile plumages add to the confusion.

Things start to improve come September and, after the equinox, happy birdwatching days are here again. As day-length shortens, the birds become more active; flocks of starlings, tits and finches roam the countryside. Winter migrants flood into the country, while the odd summer visitor is still around; wheatears from Iceland, and even some from Greenland, stop off on their way to Africa.