Re: identification help please


"Bill Alexander" <w.alexander1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:dotupj$dn6$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> "Richard Corbett" <corbett.chester@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:yUusf.22185$b4.19125@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Seasons greetings to you all.
>>
>> I have just seen a sparrow sized bird in my garden in Chester. Grey
>> darker upper, lighter grey below. Not striated - an even grey. Slightly
>> longer tail than a sparrow. A definite reddy brown or perhaps browny red
>> poll. Continuous flight small robin-like bill so far as I could see.
>> Eating crushed peanuts.
>>
>> A quick look through my Collins might suggest a redpoll but my one seemed
>> to have more of a poll than they suggest there.
>>
>> Grateful for any pointers and thanks..............................
>>
>> Richard Corbett
>
> Are you familiar with the Dunnock?
> Old name Hedge Sparrow.
> Bill....
>

Yes Bill, thanks. I have them too alongside this fellow and they are quite
different. More brown, more striated and with that tell-tale flash behind
the eyes. There are house sparrows there too which all makes quite a
comparative gallery. I have seen tree sparrows and this is just too grey -

I've looked again - could it be a juvenile female black-cap? It looks very
like what I saw. I saw my first male only yesterday in the same spot.

Richard


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Relevant Pages

  • Re: identification help please
    ... Grey darker upper, lighter grey below. ... >> Old name Hedge Sparrow. ... Warbler S. borin, but with flatter crown (appearing so partly due ... Jet-black forehead and crown offset by ...
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  • Re: identification help please
    ... > Grey darker upper, lighter grey below. ... Slightly longer tail than a sparrow. ... > brown or perhaps browny red poll. ...
    (uk.rec.birdwatching)