[vwxyzen]

Originally Posted by Ben M

Looks partially leucistic, but slightly unusual that it's only limited to the main body area. Most other Goldfinch cases I've come across are not limited to one specific area of the body/plumage tone. An interesting one!

It's a new one for me too! I don't think it can be classed as leucistic due to it only being affected in one area, like you say.

Another couple of pics attached.

[Ben M]

Originally Posted by DOC REED

Brilliant at Redhouse today..will post some images later, but wanted to get this image up asap.....no doubt will be dubbed mealy but look at ground colour and unstreaked rump with pink (light) wash.

I will develop OCD unless I get one!!!

Is it a classic male Mealy as per photos and description on pp13-14?

Overall stocky appearance with white/grey with barely any hint of buff/brown, except on wings.
Thick white wing bar.
No apparent eye ring.
Darker grey defined ear covet patch.
Pale pink blush evident on underparts.
Extensive white rump is unstreaked with pink blush.
Dark bib and loral region appears extensive in comparison to face
Bill looks strong, but photo could be deceptive in this pose

I have no field experience of arctic forms and Collins is very lacking in up-to-date Redpoll knowledge, but based on this guide I would say it's too dark and heavily streaked for any of the arctic forms.

I'd be interested to see any other photos and hear more experienced opinions.

[BirdFlower]

Originally Posted by vwxyzen

It's a new one for me too! I don't think it can be classed as leucistic due to it only being affected in one area, like you say.

Another couple of pics attached.

There's a chance it could be an escape from someone who breeds/keeps finches. We had something in the garden once which looked like a cross between Greenfinch & Goldfinch - very strange. Just a thought.

[Hotspur]

Went to Tophill with my daughter today. No great shakes due to being led round by a toddler but plenty of Goldeneye on D and a few Siskin in the woods.

[Ben M]

Originally Posted by vwxyzen

It's a new one for me too! I don't think it can be classed as leucistic due to it only being affected in one area, like you say.

Another couple of pics attached.

There are other pigmentation conditions that can "selectively" adjust localized areas of plumage that are the same colour. For example, xanthochroism and erythrism. Have a look at these GSWs!

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/do/ecco...id=6248&live=0
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news...pecker876.html

[DOC REED]

Originally Posted by Hotspur

Looks pretty good - any shots of flanks/utc's?

these are sequential shots....think same bird

[timmyjones]

Originally Posted by vwxyzen

It's a new one for me too! I don't think it can be classed as leucistic due to it only being affected in one area, like you say.

Another couple of pics attached.

Seems like in captivity birds like this are called Eumo/Agate

http://www.bestwaterslagers-goldfinc...otoid=14699557

[DOC REED]

Irrespective of earlier redpoll....which i think..sadly ...is a mealy...here are a few others from today!
What a wonderful day it was too!!!

[DOC REED]

Redhouse again

[DOC REED]

Amazing how many images ditched watching redpolls feeding;they flick their heads sideways as they retrieve seed, catapulting husk off. Think u can see that in one shot...was at times no more than 7 ft away..but still hard to stop them..in photo terms.

Lovely, lovely birds!!
Paul

[DOC REED]

Originally Posted by Ben M

Is it a classic male Mealy as per photos and description on pp13-14?

Overall stocky appearance with white/grey with barely any hint of buff/brown, except on wings.
Thick white wing bar.
No apparent eye ring.
Darker grey defined ear covet patch.
Pale pink blush evident on underparts.
Extensive white rump is unstreaked with pink blush.
Dark bib and loral region appears extensive in comparison to face
Bill looks strong, but photo could be deceptive in this pose

I have no field experience of arctic forms and Collins is very lacking in up-to-date Redpoll knowledge, but based on this guide I would say it's too dark and heavily streaked for any of the arctic forms.

I'd be interested to see any other photos and hear more experienced opinions.

Cheers Ben
Hadn't seen that link before...have been following Durham site..as they have Arctics up there.Whats confusing for me ....have been learning with these birds all winter.....feel able to separate most mealy/lesser now...but this bird was fluffed up, not stocky at all...and the palest rump, unstreaked, that I have seen yet...they are not easy....looking at Durham pics, its still probably not white enough, but Arctic is reported with pinkish tinged rump.

My initial comments said it all...''dubbed mealy'', but its nigh on impossible in the field. A sprwak spooked this lot early in my afternoon..didn't connect again..but there are some 'pale' redpolls here.....like i said ..OCD!!!

[DOC REED]

aaaaarrrggghhhhhhh!!!!

I need to get out more!!!

[schiffornis]

Today is World Wetland Day (Ramsar), there are several special events occurring at Wheldrake Ings in the Lower Derwernt Valley today and over the weekend. Full details on the blog.

[David Adamson]

Nice shots of redpolls Doc. Just out of curiosity what equipment are you using. I am currently looking to upgrade both my camera and lenses. I don't get anything like these shots of redpolls or siskins high in the trees.

Dave

[metcow333]

hi doc

thats quite a fascinating bird, not really seen a pic anything like that with such a coloured but unstreaked rump. of the first of the two sequential photos, the rump looks a bit more streaked i think so poss not the same bird.

the original pic tho is a tough one, i guess id go with mealy on the basis of the background colour being too brown/rich for an arctic, and it does look a touch bulky and face not quite 'punched-in' enough. The flank streaking seems marginal as well, quite thin streaks but, quite alot and far down. would have been good to get a look at the UTC. have you seen the images of the ringed birds on martin garner's blog? theres an arctic there with completely streaked rump, don't think were ever gonna be able to claim birds with mixed features in the field.

so for your bird, who knows, probably mealy, but maybe not, but my guess is that it can't be conclusively dentified in te field/without alot more pics.

keep on plugging, the classic coues' is out there somewhere

[DOC REED]

Originally Posted by David Adamson

Nice shots of redpolls Doc. Just out of curiosity what equipment are you using. I am currently looking to upgrade both my camera and lenses. I don't get anything like these shots of redpolls or siskins high in the trees.

Dave

Dave

Thanks for compliments. I use handheld EOS 7D +300mm f2.8+ 2x converter.Some of these images are in a fairly low copse so birds not too high and with amazing light like yesterday and IS can get decent images.Photography is my thing...so went for the mega prime lens but there will be cheaper options that get results as good.The photography section is a good place to browse, ask questions especially if you know your budget etc.

Paul

[Rob1991S-O-T]

dose anyone have information on the ring billed gull and sand lane
is it there during the week ? or just weekend because of quarry works
and is it mainly evening afternoon bird
dose anyone know where it goes when not on site ?
thank you

[Keith Dickinson]

Originally Posted by Rob1991S-O-T

dose anyone have information on the ring billed gull and sand lane
is it there during the week ? or just weekend because of quarry works
and is it mainly evening afternoon bird
dose anyone know where it goes when not on site ?
thank you

There's an awful lot of people wanting to know where it goes when not at Sands Lane.

The bird seems to like to visit the area to bathe before flying off to roost so later in the afternoon seems to be the best time. It does sometimes loaf about by the weir so if it isn't on the main lake try the weir area. It can turn up on any day so it's always worth having a look if you're in the area.

[Wig131]

Darlington Waxwings
Only just in Durham
16 Waxwings seen at 12.40 Eating apples in a front garden tree of the first house on the left of Thornbury Rise Cockerton. Having been reported in Highbury Road on the Teesmouth sightings page. Some apples still on the tree so they might linger.

[Keith Dickinson]

Almost crashed the car driving along Street Lane when this little flock of beauties flew across my bows!
Quick right turn and I caught up with them on this roof. They had been drinking from the gutter, sadly took so long to get the phone out of it's slip case to access the camera I could only manage this shot before they high-tailed it.

[northernloon]

That'll be 50 Starlings going to roost then Keith

[Keith Dickinson]

Originally Posted by northernloon

That'll be 50 Starlings going to roost then Keith

Exactly what I first thought Ken...until I got a flash of yellow from the wings.. that's when I almost crashed.

[northernloon]

Nice one, it shows they are still around. Had a similar experience on the Wirral when I went over to the dark side last month. Luckily it was a quiet road. Screech...

[BeadsbyClareScott]

Doc wow! great pics.. you are the Redpoll Man =) they let you so close!

[tiger-chip]

went to pulfin today very blustery and cold but saw a pair of little egret (my first ever sighting)
well pleased now