Merlin's dinner ID (slightly gruesome!) (1 Viewer)

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Dec 15, 2003

• #1

Hi all,

Anyone care to offer an ident for this half-wing?

Found on the saltmarsh at the Long Nanny (Northumberland coast) today 15/12/03, while watching the 5 Shore Larks there (hoping it isn't part of a 6th!!).

Not definitely from a Merlin's dinner of course, but that sounds better than 'bit of tideline corpse to ID' :brains:

Thanks,

Michael

 

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C

cjay

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2003

• #2

Meadow Pipit
CJ

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Dec 15, 2003

• #3

Hi Colin,

Thanks, but it is too large for Mipit - wing length (wrist joint to tip) on Mipit is about 8cm, this wing 10½-11cm.

My best guess is Skylark, but can't rule out Shore Lark, or Redwing either, I'm not too good on bird bits like this

Michael

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2003

• #4

Don't think its a Redwing.. will nail it for you later 105-110 is about redwing/skylark size though. the 2 just shorter than a wing point 3=4 should be distinctive.

My memory of Skylark is something like 2=3=4... but its 24 years since I held one. EEEK just felt very old suddenly!

 

Last edited: Dec 15, 2003

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2003

• #5

Michael, what is that mark on the GC...a tip or a feather showing from inside the wing?

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Dec 15, 2003

• #6

Ooops - yep, a bit of inner web of the primary not preened in place! The GC is all dark except for the slightly paler front edge.

The narrow pale fringes on the leading edges of the primaries are real, though (if that helps!).

Michael

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Dec 15, 2003

• #7

Isn't it a Starling?

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2003

• #8

I was just about to suggest that...its about the right size...though perhaps 1cm short.. fringes look a wee bit thin. I've ruled out Shorelark... the 2nd outermost primary is too short in relation to the wing tip.

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Dec 15, 2003

• #9

Jane Turner said:

I was just about to suggest that...its about the right size...though perhaps 1cm short.. fringes look a wee bit thin. I've ruled out Shorelark... the 2nd outermost primary is too short in relation to the wing tip.

Click to expand...

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Sorry Jane, opened the Lagavulin 10 days early........

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Dec 15, 2003

• #10

A bit small for Starling I reckon - they're listed as 121-138mm (Svensson), and even allowing for a bit of feathering missing at the bend, I'm pretty certain it wouldn't have been over 110mm fresh

Glad it isn't Shore Lark, though!

Michael

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2003

• #11

1.....2.....3......4......5........6.......7
?....-5 ...wp....-1....-5(=2)..-15....-20
?.....e.....e.......e.....e......not emarginated

Wing formula as far as I can make out. What colour is it Michael? Looks too dark for Skylark.

This is where it turns out to be a Dark-throated Thrush

 

Last edited: Dec 15, 2003

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Dec 15, 2003

• #12

The white background makes it look darker than it is, I'd say OK for Sky Lark - that was my first thought on picking it up, but didn't feel confident with it being at a site with Shore Larks present (and 5 today, 7 a week ago . . . ). There are Sky Larks there as well.

I was hoping something could be made of the positioning of the emargination? - unfortunately, I don't have anything that gives details of that.

Michael

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2003

• #13

Skylark 2=3 or one within 2mm of the other..

So we can stop there 2nd is way to short.

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2003

• #14

redwing look promising.
1
2 3-8 yes
3=wp yes
4= 0--2 yes
5= 5-8 yes
6= 15-21 yes

House.. emarginated 2-5... So Redwing looks like a good bet. So much for my first reaction!

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2003

• #15

Should I check DT thrush too!

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Dec 15, 2003

• #16

Thanks!

I guess I'll take Redwing then.

Too short for DT Thrush (wing 127-145mm), but Gray-cheeked Thrush . . .

Michael

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Dec 15, 2003

• #17

Imagine being the person who found that Ovenbird wing at Formby! That must have taken some tracking down