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)
Many thanks for your efforts, as I say I didn't see a spot of red but Linnets does seem to be the consensus.
In answer to a few questions I took a field guide of sorts but by no means a comprehensive one. The date was this saturday just gone (17/4/10)
I did notice the breast area was creamy brown with a what appeared to be black/brown stripes?? In terms of the other bits and pieces Buzzard I am sorry I can't be more help!
Regarding my camera and lack of photos it was all Jo's fault - she had the camera and neglected to tell me before we left that she didn't actually manage to capture them on film or I would have made sure we got some ;-)
Thanks again
Nick and Jo
Hi,
Twite have been recorded at Rutland on many occassions, not sure of the numbers though.
Tim Appleton has a comprehensive list of some 206 species albeit the list hasn't been updated since 2006
http://www.rutlandwater.org.uk/birdslist.htm
The dam: car park at Sykes Lane should be always checked as Rock Pipits are a possibility on the rocky face of the dam between late February and early April.
The grassy slope behind the dam should also be checked for passerines - it has held both Snow and Lapland Buntings and Twite in the past.
It has been several years since I was there, went to see Ospreys.
Locally here in the North East I have recorded flocks of 30-50 Twite.
Totally agree with all comments, Linnets could well be the bird.
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Here's a female linnet I took this morning, shows white in the tail and the 'freckles' on chest...
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Thats a cracking photo MarJus well done on that one :)
Cheers
AL
If its no fun Yer no doin it right!
Brilliant Marjus and so clear for ID.
Thanks Al! Thanks Brenda!