Warbler species, Finland (1 Viewer)

[Finbirder]

Hello

Can I have help with id of this warbler species please?

BR

-Finbirder

 

[lou salomon]

i think it's a young savi's.

 

[Finbirder]

Thanks for your reply Lou. Savi's is quite uncommon here. I was thinking mostly either Blyth's reed warbler or Marsh Warbler, they both breed in the area.

The birds did not make a sound and therefore I am not certain about their id.

 

[KenM]

Savi's for me...interestingly in my Collins guide they are not shown to be breeding in Finland, suggesting that Estonia is their nearest breeding station, of course young birds are on the move from early July onwards.

Great shots btw.

 

[Finbirder]

Thanks guys. Savi's is recorded yearly in Finland but I don't know if it even breeds at all. So it's a rare bird here.

I got so excited about the possibility of Savi's I sent the pictures to an experienced Finnish birder who knows the area. He said that it's most likely a Marsh Warbler.

 

[lou salomon]

i'm not entirely sure but felt that the undertail coverts are too long for an acrocephalus.
edit: yes, probably your finnish birder is right. pale primary tips are better for palustris and UTCs look long relative to tail tip because rectrices are not fully grown - that was it what tricked me...

 

[Finbirder]

Yeah, these are tricky. Especially now when the youngsters are also out there and no singing.

 

[P.Sunesen]

Yes, Savi's can easily be ruled on the undertail coverts. This Acrocephalus shows plain and pale(r) undertail coverts.

Savi's has vaguely mottled undertail coverts which are significantly darker than the rest of the underpart except for the also darker vent and lower flanks (than on the OP bird)

http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures.php?id=showpicture&picture_id=3245

Peter