Notable Recent Sightings

29/05 Pink-footed Goose 1, over Welshpool, photo'd on 09/06
01/05 Red-throated Diver 1, Llyn Clywedog
07/02 Whooper Swan 44, Lake Vyrnwy
31/01 Whooper Swan 51, Haimwood, Llandrinio
17/11 Firecrest 2, Castle Caereinion
07/11 Barnacle Goose 1 among Canada Geese, Llyn Coed-y-Dinas
07/11 Hawfinch a few, Lake Vyrnwy, also Bramblings
01/11 Short-eared Owl 1, Cefn Coch Wind-farm
01/11 Great Grey Shrike Gregynog
28/10 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy, also 1 on 30th at Eunant
25/09 Gannet 1 juv grounded near Caersws
07/09 Nightjar 1, photographed near Pontrobert
17/07 Quail RSPB Lake Vyrnwy, also heard 20/06 and 08/07
24/04 Long-eared Owl 2, RSPB Lake Vyrnwy
16/04 Purple Heron 1, Cors Dyfi
05/03 Firecrest 1, Lake Vyrnwy
05/03 Short-eared Owl 1, Lake Vyrnwy
14/01 Pink-footed Goose 1, Dolydd Hafren
03/01 Waxwing 20, Meifod; also 5 Welshpool by canal on 01/01. Last: 6 Bwlch-y-Garreg 17/03
   
See Sightings Archive for older records

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Pipits



The May copy of Bird Watching has a centre-fold on the identification of Tree and Meadow Pipits. I have to confess that after many years of birding I still have problems, and the two images I have taken this week are illustrative of that I feel. Your comments as to the subtleties of the identifications would be appreciated.
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6 comments:

  1. Eryl Selly19 April 2011 at 22:11

    Spent part of today doing exactly the same up near the Rhiwnant in the Elan area.

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  2. tarkamerl21 April 2011 at 07:51

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. tarkamerl21 April 2011 at 08:04

    I have always split them apart by song; the Meadow Pipit has a much simpler song than the Tree Pipit.

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  4. Simon Boyes22 April 2011 at 20:17

    Chris
    Flank streaks are a helpful feature - diagnostic according to top Finnish birders. Small and fine in Tree, bold (as breast streaks) in Meadow.

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  5. Simon Boyes23 April 2011 at 08:44

    Looking at your photos, I'd call the one in the a tree a Meadow, and the one in the 'meadow' a Tree!

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  6. Chris. T.23 April 2011 at 20:51

    Thanks, Simon. That's what I thought, too. "Bird Watching" says the other useful feature is that if the bird flies a long way, then (you've just missed)a tree pipit, but if it stays close by, it's a meadow!

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