In many ways, plumage-wise, it was similar to a bird I saw on Skokholm earlier in the autumn, whereby the upper-parts, in particular around the head, would appear plain and not barred. From some angles and in some lights this bird would appear similar to an adult female bird. However, the barring on the mantle and upper-tail coverts show this bird is in it's 1st year.
Some early murmurings had agreed that it might be worth checking for Brown Shrike. The bird showed a dark brown mask but not very dark, the upper-parts showed more contrast between head, back and tail than one would expect from a concolourous, generally darker plumaged Brown Shrike and the outer tail feathers appeared to be clean white rather than pale. The primary projection shown by this bird was not the usual > 1/2 exposed tail length for Red-backed Shrike although still longer that one would expect for Brown Shrike which is normally much shorted than 1/2 exposed tail length. A good looking juv/1st W Rd-backed Shrike and a very nice find by Alastair, which was enjoyed by 10+ birders paying their respects.
Also in the area a probable Wryneck - brief flight views given to a couple of birders independently from the same area as the R-b S. Blackcap (3), Garden Warbler (1), Chiffchaff (10+), Goldcrest (3) & Spotted Flycatcher (4)
AWF, MHi, RJ, JNE et al
MHi, RJ
RJ, MHi, BS
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| Red-backed Shrike distribution map for vc41 2013 record in black, all others red with pre-2000 shown as open circles |
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| Firecrest distribution map for vc41 |
3 comments:
great find Alistair,well done.Bet ypu're glad you gave the wetlands phalarope a miss!
2 Great White Egrets at Llanrhidian yesterday evening (MP & JP).
Add another black dot to the Firecrest map at Dunraven (just seen by NPR).
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