Posted by Dave Cordery on December 12, 2007 at 10:01 AM
I took a number of pictures of this bird this morning. This one was side on to show as much as possible. The only distinguishing mark for me is the eyes but I have looked in all my books and cannot come up with anything. The black mark across the beak is a shadow. I hope someone can come up with an ID for me.
Techs
Canon 1D mark IIN
300mm f2.8 with 1.4 TC
ISO 320
speed 1/2500
f4
Regards
Dave
Posted by Brian McGeough on December 12, 2007 at 10:28 AM
I have no idea, where was it taken ???
Posted by Mike Smith on December 12, 2007 at 10:29 AM
On the Scillies ?
These rare warblers are not my speciality, ....but the yellow eyes may point it to being a Barred warbler perhaps - hanging on from the October migration fall? -
One quick search description of Barred warbler... "Juvenile and first winter birds may show no barring at all and look like big grey Garden Warblers with heavy bills and pale edges to many of the wing feathers which creates a double wing bar"
Addendum
Thinking about this a bit further,I can think of only 3 grey warblers that regulalarly occur in Britain: Garden warbler is possibly favourite, but very rare in winter; male blackcap fairly common in winter now, especially continetal birds that winter here, but the cap seems too pale and indistinct; or barred warbler - a rarity at best of times and even more unusual in winter. The yellow iris is also troubling me.... - I need to get to my BWP tonight to look up this feature
As Brian says - depends wher the photo was taken.....
Posted by Dave Sewell on December 12, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Mike, I think you're on the right track although I think it might be an adult rather then a juv (Immatures have dark eyes) The pale base to the lower mandible is good for barred and the lack of barring would indicate it's a female. Dave can you tell me where this bird is please? If it is an adult Barred Warbler it's a very rare occurance esp in the Autumn (we get plenty of 1st winters in the autumn) It's years since I've seen one and I'm racking my brains for other features!
Dave
Addendum to mine! It isn't a garden Warbler because they have grey on the side of the neck and a supercillium that stops at the eye. Thay also have dark eyes thinking about it.
Posted by Dave Cordery on December 12, 2007 at 11:19 AM
The picture was taken at the RSPB site Ouse Washes
Posted by Paul Marshall on December 12, 2007 at 11:49 AM
Hi Dave,
Pretty sure that's a 1st-winter Barred Warbler.
I think I can just make out some barring on the flanks (although the bird is rather ruffled). Although from what I can see the upper tail coverts and fringes to the wing feathers look rather plain. The eye is variable with 1st-autumn birds having a yellow-brown eye changing to bright yellow by the following breeding season.
When was it taken? They are a fairly regular drift migrant from August - October but rare out of that season. And inland occurences are very rare. The RSPB would be keen to know (if this bird wasn't known about at the time) as it's likely to be a reserve tick.
Cheers
Paul
Posted by Mark Smith on December 12, 2007 at 12:26 PM
Hi Dave,
My immediate thoughts when I saw this was Barred Warbler, I've checked a few books and I still believe it to be of this species, but as Paul says these are very rare at this time of year. I've seen a few of them, although quite a few years ago now, but I've always found that you never see any of the barring in the field and they have a distinctive"jizz" of a big almost awkward warbler.
Posted by eric weight on December 12, 2007 at 2:52 PM
Can't help with the id at all I'm afraid, but for that shadow on the bill though it's a pretty fair picture in its own right.
I would say the same it is a barred warbler.
Frederic
Posted by Major Gilbert on December 12, 2007 at 3:29 PM
If its possible I can post a Barred Warbler image that I took this Autumn if of interest.
Major
Posted by Paul Marshall on December 12, 2007 at 5:01 PM
Report on bird information services this evening: Barred Warbler on guelder rose bushes near Welches Dam RSPB visitor centre this morning.
Sorry Dave completely forgot to say good shot of a skulking species. Background a little busy but I know you just have to work with what you are given.
Cheers
Paul
Posted by Dave Sewell on December 12, 2007 at 6:14 PM
RSPB and Cambs Bird Club were alerted once we'd seen Dave's additional photos so it looks like it's filtered through. Have to say it's a really good find so well done Dave (and as far as Barred Warbler shots go it's a damned good effort too!)
Dave
Posted by Mike Smith on December 13, 2007 at 5:41 AM
Its quite remarkable that a Barred warber has hung around for so long - I shouldn't have doubted my initial id gut re-action - but one in Winter
Discussion
12 repliesTechs
Canon 1D mark IIN
300mm f2.8 with 1.4 TC
ISO 320
speed 1/2500
f4
Regards
Dave
These rare warblers are not my speciality, ....but the yellow eyes may point it to being a Barred warbler perhaps - hanging on from the October migration fall? -
One quick search description of Barred warbler... "Juvenile and first winter birds may show no barring at all and look like big grey Garden Warblers with heavy bills and pale edges to many of the wing feathers which creates a double wing bar"
Addendum
Thinking about this a bit further,I can think of only 3 grey warblers that regulalarly occur in Britain: Garden warbler is possibly favourite, but very rare in winter; male blackcap fairly common in winter now, especially continetal birds that winter here, but the cap seems too pale and indistinct; or barred warbler - a rarity at best of times and even more unusual in winter. The yellow iris is also troubling me.... - I need to get to my BWP tonight to look up this feature
As Brian says - depends wher the photo was taken.....
Dave
Addendum to mine! It isn't a garden Warbler because they have grey on the side of the neck and a supercillium that stops at the eye. Thay also have dark eyes thinking about it.
Pretty sure that's a 1st-winter Barred Warbler.
I think I can just make out some barring on the flanks (although the bird is rather ruffled). Although from what I can see the upper tail coverts and fringes to the wing feathers look rather plain. The eye is variable with 1st-autumn birds having a yellow-brown eye changing to bright yellow by the following breeding season.
When was it taken? They are a fairly regular drift migrant from August - October but rare out of that season. And inland occurences are very rare. The RSPB would be keen to know (if this bird wasn't known about at the time) as it's likely to be a reserve tick.
Cheers
Paul
My immediate thoughts when I saw this was Barred Warbler, I've checked a few books and I still believe it to be of this species, but as Paul says these are very rare at this time of year. I've seen a few of them, although quite a few years ago now, but I've always found that you never see any of the barring in the field and they have a distinctive"jizz" of a big almost awkward warbler.
Frederic
Major
Sorry Dave completely forgot to say good shot of a skulking species. Background a little busy but I know you just have to work with what you are given.
Cheers
Paul
Dave