3rd August 2015

Moulting Robins– around this time of year adult Robins appear less because they, like many birds, are undergoing their gradual moult. Feathers wear out for various reasons, including damage from flying, the effects of strong sunlight, and infestations of feather-lice and other parasites. Robins need to keep feeding and flying so the moult is gradual- this one’s moult seems well under way! The new feathers grow up from the follicle-bottoms and push the old ones out. I had to sit a while waiting for this one to emerge yesterday, and a juvenile, with its spotted breast, appeared too. When two to three months old, the juvenile will also moult into adult colours. Conditions: Cloudier with some sunny intervals. Temperature: Max 21- Min 12c.