Anybody help me identify a bird I saw this morning.

Discussion in 'Wildlife Corner' started by silu, Aug 19, 2018.

  1. silu

    silu gardening easy...hmmm

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    I live in Central Scotland surrounded by farmland. This morning I saw a bird I have never seen before that I am aware of anyway It was about the size of between a Thrush and a Robin. mainly a fawn colour with I think darker wings. It was sitting on a fence stob and was bobbing up and down like a Wagtail but not quite as exaggerated. It sort of followed me along the road from fence post to fence post and when it flew it had a distinct white either rump of bits on it's wings that you didn't see when stationary. I of course did not have my phone with me to take a picture of it.:rolleyespink:
    I'm no ornithologist but know most of the more common birds around these parts but don't recognise this bird. I had a look through my Collins book of birds and nothing sprung out at me but then some of the drawings aren't that lifelike!
    Hope someone can come up with suggestions and I can look at pictures of them on the net. Thanks.
     
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    • wiseowl

      wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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      • Kandy

        Kandy Will be glad to see the sun again soon.....

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        Have a look at Wheatear @silu :smile:
         
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        • silu

          silu gardening easy...hmmm

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          :yay::yay::yay::star: top of the class @Kandy. I have looked at photos on the net and 99% certain it was a female Wheatear. It was the white rump which was so distinctive. From what I can gather it isn't that an uncommon bird so maybe I have seen 1 before but just didn't pay attention to it. Thank you very much for identifying the lovely little bird for me so quickly.
           
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          • wiseowl

            wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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            Good afternoon @Kandy and a good call my friend:smile:
             
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            • Redwing

              Redwing Wild Gardener

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              I was going to suggest Wheatear, then I saw @Kandy s post. They are on the move now. Common breeders in Scotland, usually near the coast. On migration they can occur in a wide range of habitats. Nice birds.
               
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              • strongylodon

                strongylodon Old Member

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                I put one on my last What's buzzing thread, seen last Friday.:smile:
                 
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                • wiseowl

                  wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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                  wheatear.JPG
                   
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                  • silu

                    silu gardening easy...hmmm

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                    What a coincidence @strongylodon . I read that they have 1 of the longest migrations. I hope the 1 I saw has had a great summer with lots of flies to eat. I have always looked at our Swallows in awe but this little bird has an even longer journey home evidently. I wonder if we will ever really know how they navigate. Many think it is by the moon/stars but are we certain?
                     
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                    • strongylodon

                      strongylodon Old Member

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                      Some Swallows and Swifts do fly further than Wheatears going all the way to South Africa.
                      Some Warblers smaller than a Wheatear also fly to West and Central Africa, Gambia, Sierra Leone etc. Crossing the Sahara is a challenging feat for such small birds.Then sometimes only five months later, they do it again in reverse!!
                      It is generally understood that they have a built in navigation system using the stars and possibly use magnetic fields but also navigate by site using the same flight paths and we think we are clever!!:smile:
                       
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                      • Kandy

                        Kandy Will be glad to see the sun again soon.....

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                        I went by your description of its movements @silu as this is how they always behave when we have seen them whilst out walking on our holidays and they usually flit along the tops of fence posts or they move along the footpaths just in front of where we are walking.The males always look like Highwaymen with their black eye patches so that also helps us identify them:biggrin:

                        Good photo as always @strongylodon :dbgrtmb:
                         
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