Could these be...surely not!? (1 Viewer)

originalspykid69

Well-known member

• Nov 17, 2011

• #1

Spotted in a park in Bristol by my Girlfriend last week.

The name is on the tip of my tongue , but I dont want to say it and be disapointed!:eek!:

Bad pics I know , and in silouette , but can you try to identify them please?

Lee.

 

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C

Cheshire Birder

Well-known member

• Nov 17, 2011

• #2

I don't think they are Waxwings (if thats what your thinking), but I not sure you'll get a definitive answer as to what they are. Do you have any other photos?

CB

 

Steve Schoech

Well-known member

Supporter

• Nov 17, 2011

• #3

Agree with CB as the notches in the tail rule out waxwings.

 

originalspykid69

Well-known member

• Nov 17, 2011

• #4

Cheshire Birder said:

I don't think they are Waxwings (if thats what your thinking), but I not sure you'll get a definitive answer as to what they are. Do you have any other photos?

CB

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Wasn't thinking Waxwing , although that would have been equally as exciting!

I dont think she got any more pics as they flew off. She's insistant they were big "Finches"

 

James Thomas

Well-known member

• Nov 17, 2011

• #5

I'd say greenfinch, imagine you're hoping for Haw?

 

originalspykid69

Well-known member

• Nov 17, 2011

• #6

James Thomas said:

I'd say greenfinch, imagine you're hoping for Haw?

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Hawfinch was on the tip of my tongue yes! They'd be a rarity here for sure , like everywhere. However. The tail didn't look right , should be short and squared off for hawfinch , and a massive bill? I've never seen one , so was hoping! Thanks for your help so far.

 

timwootton

Well-known member

• Nov 17, 2011

• #7

James Thomas said:

I'd say greenfinch, imagine you're hoping for Haw?

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My thoughts, too. Difficult one from these pics, methinks.

 

Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Nov 17, 2011

• #8

Bill looks small for hawfinch, although as others have noted, it's hard to be sure of anything with those pics.

 

nickderry

C'est pas ma faute, je suis anglais.

• Nov 17, 2011

• #9

crossbill was my thought

 

StuartReeves

Local rarity

• Nov 17, 2011

• #10

nickderry said:

crossbill was my thought

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Me too, but I could also go along with Greenfinch. Horrible photo.

 

nickderry

C'est pas ma faute, je suis anglais.

• Nov 17, 2011

• #11

StuartReeves said:

Me too, but I could also go along with Greenfinch. Horrible photo.

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I suppose greenfinch has to remain the most likely in the absence of a clearer photo - something about that beak shape screams crossbill, but could so easily be artefact.

 

vanellus

Andrew Hodson

• Nov 17, 2011

• #12

originalspykid69 said:

Spotted in a park in Bristol by my Girlfriend last week.

The name is on the tip of my tongue , but I dont want to say it and be disapointed!:eek!:

Bad pics I know , and in silouette , but can you try to identify them please?

Lee.

Click to expand...

I'm confident that they are Greenfinches.

 

originalspykid69

Well-known member

• Nov 17, 2011

• #13

Thanks guys for you invaluable help as always. I'm sure if Hawfinches were to decend on a park in Bristol there would be hoards of birders there. I think I'll settle on Greenfinches , reluctantly , and nip over to the forest of dean in the next few weeks in pursuit of the elusive Hawfinches. Lee.