[alix_ewins]

Hi guys!!!
I havent posted since I joined but I'd really appreciate some help with this one. My mum and I were in Rye Harbour Nature Reserve but inland abit, this area has lots of reed beds that run by a river, they are frequented by bearded tits and loads of sedge warbles. We saw a bird that looked alot like a finch or a bunting in shape and size with a stubby orange bill, it was a greenish on its back with an orange buff coloured front with black stripes on/around its eyes and a black strip across the bottom of its tail. It didn't sing so no help there I'm afraid. neither of us have seen it before and have been bird watching all our lives. It had darker wings than the rest of its body, didn't get a photo or more of an ID as it flew off and despite much searching we didn't see it again. It was sat at the top of the reeds. If anyone has any ideas I'd be really gratefull as its driving both of us barmey!!!

[jacana]

probably an escaped cagebird

can't help you anymore though without at picture

sorry!

[KnockerNorton]

Zebra finch? http://zebrafinch.info/basics/au030825-2953c.jpg

I can't think of any native finch or bunting with an orange bill.

[alix_ewins]

Cheers for having a think, I can't find any birds that fit the bill (sorry about the bad pun!), the closest i can find is the Trumpeters Finch but apart from the beak the other colours arn't quite right. Going there again on Friday I think so going to get the camera ready just incase, hopefully I'll get a picture to show you. Mum thinks it may have been a Bunting but I'm not so sure. We see all sorts down there, we've seen Purple and Night Herons there in the last 12 months along with other non-residents, its a perfect stop over point for migrants so it could have been from almost anywhere!! does't make finding out 'what' any easier. They (the birds) like to keep us on our toes don't they?!!