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Warbler(?) Sussex UK (1 Viewer)

Ruby

Well-known member
HI All,

Had an intriguing sighting when walking in Ashdown Forest the other day - not sure that the info that I am able to provide will ever enable a definite id to be made, but just interested in some other people's ideas....

Watching a group of Stonechats when a slightly larger bird flicked up onto the top of a bush - very pale/white throat, chest and belly and a darker head with that domed shape that some warblers have (ie like Sardinian Warbler for instance).... It only stayed put for a few seconds and then flew off, displaying greyish back and upperwing with distinct white tail-sides....

Having a bit of trouble thinking what this might have been - something prosaic and me just having a senior-moment, or something altogether more exotic!!


All the best.... Ray
 
I took this in late June (same time as the Short-toed was up there), I thought your description sounded familiar! Sounds like a Whitethroat to me.
 

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Hi Guys,

Well. Must say that my impression at the time ruled out Whitethroat as, although white tail-sides was good, the overall mono-chrome look of the bird didn't look good at all.... The bird was much paler on the front than I would expect, and there were no brown/rufous tones to the upperparts when it flew off....

BUT, seeing Joe's photo makes me think again.... This actually looks pretty good for what I saw - of course, can't say what it would have looked like flying away, but it was a bit of a misty, claggy morning which might have contributed to the overall mono-chrome look I suppose.

I thought at the time that Lesser Whitethroat was a possibility but don't think they have white tail-sides, and can't say that I can recall ever seeing one with that head-shape....


All the best... Ray
 
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