ID this small marsh bird (Devon, UK)? (1 Viewer)

Hello all,

Whilst on a walk this morning I came across this small bird in the marsh on the River Exe in Devon.
I can't identify it from Google or my bird book.
It was about the same size as a sparrow (and looked very similar).
It sat on the tops of the reeds watching the water, flitting from reed to reed.

Can anyone advise what it is please?

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/597893
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/597894

Apologies for the low quality images - every time I approached it flew further away...

They're both Stonechat's - in winter plumage. One looks to be a female, the other might be a first winter male. Others more expert might be more definitive!

A lot of bird books only show summer/breeding plumage which in some species its very different to their juvenile, immature or winter adult plumages.

I just commented on them in Gallery - and also suggested you might try the ID forum..... but you are clearly onto that!

Mick

Hi Mick, Thank you for the info. You're right about the book - it looks very different.
Thanks!

Ditto to European Stonechat :t: