Hi all,
Sorry I do not have a photo as the birds were too well camouflaged for my camera to pick out but there were about half a dozen or so on the bank of the lagoon (out of the right hand window of the hide) feeding and immediately I thought hmm funny place for Dunnocks as that is my best initial description, seemingly Grey and brown. However, I was not convinced and on closer inspection I could see a much longer tail which appeared black/brown and white. Looking through my bird book I could not really get to a satisfactory answer and the guy next to me was no help either. Initial thoughts of Linnets were only dispelled by the fact there was not a patch of red on show but I suppose they could all have been females??
Any suggestions? Even the bird identifier couldn't really help! (they definitely weren't Reed Buntings either)
Hi Nick and Jo,
Your description does, superficially sound like Linnets. Might I ask if you own a field guide, and if you take it with you when birding?
MC:-)
going off your brief description and ruling out Linnets and Reed Buntings!
The only bird that I can think of that may fit your description are Twite!
Did you notice bill shape & colour, leg colour, markings on flanks, breast, throat, belly, rump, back, mantle, nape etc!
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Hi Buzzard, can I pick your brains?
If you don't mind me asking, why would you rule out Linnets?
Hi,
I often find the pale in a Twites tail hard to see on the ground- contra Linnets. Linnet has got to be more likely than Twite if you go by the numbers....:)
Conjecture? I hate it most of the time, but I may hazard a guess and say I might change my mind :)
S
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
Unknown said: Hi Buzzard, can I pick your brains? If you don't mind me asking, why would you rule out Linnets? MC:-)
Hi MC,
I didn't rule out Linnets!
The poster of the question ruled them out as they way I read it?
They stated non of the birds showed any red or pink on the chest or forehead!!!
Would you get a flock of Linnets without males!
The other bird that came to mind was Meadow Pipit, I ruled that out based on the info given!
I'm also not sure about the numbers S: are you saying they should be more or less Twite!
mmmm, difficult one. must admit it was linnets I thought of as I read your query. Guide books can sometimes can be more trouble than help with huge differences in plates. Hope someone can help u, - think you're just going to have to go back for another look.
All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy. Spike Milligan
Hi Buzzard,
My mistake, no offence intended.
Unknown said: Hi Buzzard, My mistake, no offence intended. MC:-)
Hi Micky,
certainly no offence here?
Not sure why you feel as though you may have offended me!
I interpretated the post that certain birds had been ruled out including Linnets!
With little or no info to go on it makes identification somewhat difficult, I like most other members give what I think could be the answer.
I take no offence to anyones comments.
Sorry mate, It's difficult to gauge the mood of the writer without emoticons (I don't really like them, but I do find them useful). I mistakenly took the multiple exclamation marks as a sign of irritation, due to me missing your point. Beg your pardon.
All the best,
Hi guys ,
Any Twite would seem to be an exceptionally good and unusual record at Rutland Water. A flock would be outstanding. Linnet is far more likely. No date seems to have been given.
btw :)) Having communicated on here for awhile now with Buzzard, MC and Highland McH I think the four of us are all big enough and silly enough and with enough senses of humour to not fall out on here :)