[CyberDoc]

Observed this bird today on the banks of the Dal Lake in the company of some pipits and wagtails. In flight the tail appeared white with a black terminal band.

http://www.kashmirnetwork.com/birds/.../unknown25.jpg
http://www.kashmirnetwork.com/birds/.../unknown26.jpg

The nearest image in my bird guide is that of an an Isabelline Wheatear.
Since wheatears are supposed to frequent dry areas, I am not too sure.

ID help please. Thanks.

[Jurij Hanžel]

Certainly a kind of a Wheatear but I'm not sure which. I'm sure someone else will be able to help you.

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Looks good for Isabelline to me. Although it's hard to be sure from a couple of pictures, the long-legged upright appearance is good. Female Northern (most likely confusion I can think of) should have more solidly dark flight feathers at this time of the year. For migrant birds I wouldn't have thought habitat would be too much of an issue.

[White*Kite]

It looks very much like an Isabelline to me too......it doesn't seem quite right for any of the other wheatears which would be found in the region.

[Sumit]

Hi,
The contrasting black alula is very diagnostic of Isabelline. Good bird for the area.
Cheers!
Sumit

[CyberDoc]

Thanks everyone.

[Mangrove Pitta]

Originally Posted by CyberDoc

Thanks everyone.

short tail & alula has the darkest centre of all feathers in the wing.