Unknown Bunting - can anyone help? (1 Viewer)

Doug

Well-known member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #1

This bunting (I presume it is a Bunting) was observed at Donna Nook on the 10th Feb - feeding on the shore marsh. Snow and Lapland Buntings are here at present but I have never seen either before and I dont think this looks like either according to the Collins Guide but I am a newbie. What is your opinion please. I have another equally bad shot I will attach to another message. Thanks for your help!

PS Sorry forgot to attach photo to previous post!! It isn't a Twite is it, on reflection?

 

Attachments

• 
  donna nook 10.02.03 023.jpg

  677.1 KB · Views: 341

Doug

Well-known member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #2

Here is the other picture of my unknown

 

Attachments

• 
  donna nook 10.02.03 021.jpg

  687.3 KB · Views: 335

digi-birder

Well-known member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #3

Checked my book and CD - I'm going for Twite, but I'm not that much of an expert either.

 

S

Szabo Jozsef

Well-known member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #4

It looks a skylark for me, check out it's bill for instance!

 

Steve

Member

Staff member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #5

It had died and decomposed by the time I downloaded the picture.

 

Doug

Well-known member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #6

My apologies for the file size - I took it at full resolution and have tried saving it in various other formats but all, including gifs etc turned out bigger than the original -can we upload zipped files?

 

D

Darrell Clegg

Well-known member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #7

I'm with Szabo - Skylark for me

Darrell

 

Doug

Well-known member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #8

Not too white for a Skylark? Having said that the air was full of them on the day but this bird seemed so much lighter?

 

T0ny

Okillre Member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #9

Doug,

FWIW, I too think it's Skylark, but as Steve hints, the files are a little on the large size.

Check out Andy Bright's Digiscoping Forum for advice on reducing file size while retaining image detail. What image processing software do you use at present ?

Tony

 

Doug

Well-known member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #10

I use Adobe Elements 1

 

Doug

Well-known member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #11

apologies on the file size - I really don't mind if the moderator removes the files - I am on broadband so it is okay for me but I don't want to frustrate anyone on a dial up - I used to get frustrated myself. Thanks for the opinions on the ID - I will get all the books out again and view Skylarks against the photo's

 

T0ny

Okillre Member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #12

Doug said:

I use Adobe Elements 1

Click to expand...

Is that a cut-down version (or a clone) of Photoshop ? If so, I believe there is an option on the save menu somewhere called 'Save for Web' or something similar, which enables you to reduce the file size without compromising quality. You could also try trimming the pix so that the subject is larger in the frame.

HTH

Tony

 

Doug

Well-known member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #13

It is a cut down version by Adobe of Photoshop - I tried the save for web option but for some reason it nearly doubled the file size - I tried .gif too as well as resaving as a jpeg, but all were considerably bigger. I will have a look at Andy's methods because most of my shots I take on full resolution which do produce large files.

 

S

Stringer

Well-known member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #14

my first impression said pipit, not bunting.....I will have another look later!

 

T0ny

Okillre Member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #15

I wondered about pipit, too, but the bird in the pix had unstreaked flanks, which makes Skylark more likely.

Tony

 

C

creavey

Member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #16

Hello - I use Photoshop Elements too - what I do is simply resize the picture using the "resize" option under "image" (about 25cms width is fine), then "save as", and move the JPEG quality slider to number 3. Dont forget to save the picture under a different name though, this will mean that you retain the original, otherwise you will lose it....

Then post the new file....

I think that would work....

Cheers

 

Doug

Well-known member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #17

Perfect Carl - thankyou - small files from now on!!

 

H

HH75

Well-known member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #18

Hi Doug,
This is a Skylark.All buntings can be ruled out on the bill and a number of plumage features,and Woodlark can be ruled out due to tail length,supercilia not meeting on nape,lack of dark patch on carpals etc.
Harry

 

C

cjay

Well-known member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #19

yes Skylark. Collins p231 describes this one as a worn spring bird, with crest flattened.

CJ

 

T0ny

Okillre Member

• Feb 16, 2003

• #20

How can you tell its springs are worn ? Should we direct it to the local branch of Halfords ?

Tony