Also sighted:
23. 家燕/Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica); Stockholm, Sweden; 09-09-2011
24. 喜鹊/Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica); Copenhagen, Denmark; 31-08-2011
Thank you for viewing
[ Last edited by msamuel at 6/11/2011 18:10 ] Author: EricB Time: 30/10/2011 23:15
You seem to have nailed most of them.
Pic 15: Juv Siskin: finch bill,rather broader wing bars than a Serin(serins are probably rare that far north).Streaked flanks,yellow tone to upperparts,yellowish sides of outer tail feathers.
Pic 16: Typical Fieldfare.
Pic 17,18 & 20 are all Northern Wheatears.Very variable in appearance -18 is a male and may be the Greenland race but never really easy to differentiate in the field. They are best identified on hand measurement - Greenland birds being significantly bigger (upto 25%) than the typical 'European' race.
19: is tough.I'm going for a Chiffchaff but can't be absolutely sure it's even a Phyllos! Dark legs, overall brownish hue to upperparts. Looks suprisingly chunky but could be the angle. Usually identified by frequent 'tail dipping' behaviour.Another photo might help!
The last couple of thrushes are again young blackbirds.
E Author: msamuel Time: 6/11/2011 18:14
Thank EricB again for his quick response for ids.
Unfortunately I do not have another photo for confirming the id of pic 19. Author: EricB Time: 6/11/2011 19:07
Thanks Samuel.
I was feeling a little guilty about the female/imm 'European' Wheatears.I find it frustrating when the identification in the forum isn't backed up with information on how the id was attained. Without any 'id tips'our ability to move forward as birders is limited to openly accepting the given identification but unable to acheive it in the future without help again ( and again)!I'm sure its not only me who would gain from replies being at least a little more specific.I understand 'jizz' is a difficult thing to describe, but describing what you see even if it is a weak sign -like the shape of the head or whatever - it's helpful.
The female /imm Wheatears identification was made on the following:
1.European Wheatears are very common birds and birds that look like the ones you have photographed are quite typical in appearance.
2. The seperation of this species from the Western race of Black eared Wheatear (& Isabelline Wheatear can be difficult).Black eared is a little smaller, tends to perch on bushes, and is best identified by the amount/extent of black on the outer tail feathers.Black eared would be extremely rare in Sweden( if there aren't 200+ Swedes in the background this is extremely unlikely to represent a Black eared!) Isabelline is a more upright bird(longer legs and a relatively shorter tail) with a black alula and paler underwing coverts- also extralimital not really a contender from your pics.
3. I know its a bit of pain to spell things out like this but surely this is the road to making us all better birders,challenges our identification assumptions and it gives people the tools to find the next unusual bird.
With kind regards
Mr Rant
[ Last edited by EricB at 6/11/2011 19:10 ]
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