The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Wildlife => Topic started by: pgkevet on November 14, 2019, 11:04:31 am

Title: Identify bird
Post by: pgkevet on November 14, 2019, 11:04:31 am
In todays wind we had a sudden landing of a flock of birds ... brown coloured, about the size of finches but more streamlined looking with black tails and a small white flash under their bottoms. Too far away to see more clearly but they pecked at the lawn for a while then the whole lot took off again before I could get a pic.
Title: Re: Identify bird
Post by: DavidandCollette on November 14, 2019, 02:06:52 pm
Field fares?
Title: Re: Identify bird
Post by: pgkevet on November 14, 2019, 02:16:48 pm
I was about 80yds away but no suggestion of spots and the white flash was smaller and just around the vent area as best i could judge.
Title: Re: Identify bird
Post by: Fleecewife on November 14, 2019, 10:13:00 pm
Field fares are not the size of finches, more like thrushes and they make that clacking sound as they go.  Maybe linnets or meadow pippits?  Althought I don't think they have white flashes?
Title: Re: Identify bird
Post by: pgkevet on November 14, 2019, 10:42:12 pm
Looking at pics of winter linnets that is possible. Google tells me they lose the coloured breast in winter and may be migrating en route from northern and eastern europe which could explain the sudden stop-over of 30-40 for half an hour and being somewhat blown off course....
Title: Re: Identify bird
Post by: cloddopper on November 23, 2019, 11:29:00 pm
https://www.birdid.co.uk/IdentifyBird.aspx (https://www.birdid.co.uk/IdentifyBird.aspx)
 A sort of DIY bird ID site
Title: Re: Identify bird
Post by: arobwk on November 25, 2019, 12:17:16 am
Prompted by Fleecewife, I'll take a punt on Meadow Pipits. 
Title: Re: Identify bird
Post by: pgkevet on November 25, 2019, 09:17:46 pm
https://www.birdid.co.uk/IdentifyBird.aspx (https://www.birdid.co.uk/IdentifyBird.aspx)
 A sort of DIY bird ID site
Nowt found. had tried a couple of birdie id sites before
Title: Re: Identify bird
Post by: pgkevet on November 25, 2019, 09:20:06 pm
Prompted by Fleecewife, I'll take a punt on Meadow Pipits.
Looking at google pics ..not that light coloured and there's no black tail. The white flash was very restricted to vent or tail feather base.

However memory isa  funny thing and after several days..?? I should have tried to get the good camera out earlier.
Title: Re: Identify bird
Post by: arobwk on November 25, 2019, 10:30:20 pm
Some kind of Bunting perhaps ?
Title: Re: Identify bird
Post by: Fleecewife on December 20, 2019, 12:30:27 pm
Now it's my turn to ask a similar question.  I didn't see these birds, a small flock in a hedge, but:  LBJs (little brown jobs) with a pale flash on their backs just above the tail as they flew off.  Any ideas?
Title: Re: Identify bird
Post by: Fleecewife on December 20, 2019, 04:39:08 pm
Two possibilities I've come up with are juvenile Bullfinches, or at a pinch adult female bullfinches, or meadow pippits.  Meadow pippits seem to spend their time on the ground though, and although you expect to see bullfinches in the trees, do they go around in flocks at this time of year?
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/bullfinch/ (https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/bullfinch/)  then click on 'juvenile bullfinch further down the page.
Title: Re: Identify bird
Post by: Penninehillbilly on December 21, 2019, 12:25:07 pm
Twite ?
Title: Re: Identify bird
Post by: Fleecewife on December 21, 2019, 03:01:21 pm
I don't think so.  The rump on these birds was definitely bright white, whereas the twite has a bright pink rump.  Also I don't think they are found here - we've not seen them anyway - and we don't have the kind of specialist seeds they need year round. Thanks for the suggestion  :thumbsup:
Or were you responding to the OP?
Title: Re: Identify bird
Post by: Penninehillbilly on December 22, 2019, 02:44:29 am
I don't think so.  The rump on these birds was definitely bright white, whereas the twite has a bright pink rump.  Also I don't think they are found here - we've not seen them anyway - and we don't have the kind of specialist seeds they need year round. Thanks for the suggestion  :thumbsup:
Or were you responding to the OP?
[/quote
I was thinking of the OP  :)
Title: Re: Identify bird
Post by: pgkevet on December 22, 2019, 06:04:02 pm
A while ago now ...memory fades..
Title: Re: Identify bird
Post by: Penninehillbilly on December 23, 2019, 12:27:13 am
Hadnt noticed the dates  :)