Friday 12 June 2009

Two-timing male?

Further to yesterday's post, a fellow birder went to check out the place I'd seen the redstarts and sure enough found them. He also went to the spot a pair are more frequently seen and saw a female only. So - are there two pairs or is one male dividing his time between two girls? I wonder.... Here's to seeing lots of juveniles soon.


If you haven't been reading the comments, you'll know that this week is the RSPB's Make Nature Count Week. To find out more or take part in the garden survey go to http://www.rspb.org.uk/naturecount You've got until Sunday to complete the survey.

I've copied this photo of a female redstart from the RSPB's website. If you go to http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/r/redstart/index.asp you can hear one too (a male, that is).

2 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

I think there are a few male birds who do this, Carol. I always smile to myself when our resident blackbird seems to be singing for eighteen hours a day, while his mate sits on eggs - he does seem to get a bit busier when they are hatched - but still I think Mrs B does most of the hard work.

Mistlethrush said...

Hi Weaver, thanks for the blackbird observations. I know male hen harriers support more than one female and brood in good years and I understand that dunnock males do the same.

It does make one wonder what purpose the none breeding males have other than being filtered out to produce a generation of better singing etc males...

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