Recent content by xaviertaylor

Thanks for your reply - in my heart of hearts I knew this would be the case but I'd heard there were Garganey in the area and it kept plaguing me!!!

Hi all - Apologies for what might be a daft question here!!! I'm going through photos that are a few week old. Had some very distant views of what I thought to be a couple of Garganey, but they were hanging around a load of mallards in similar looking plumage, some of which were also sporting a...

Hi all - Wondering if you can help with these photos. Whilst not 100% certain... I'm fairly sure that all photos are of the same 'shank'. The question is, Spotted or Common Redshank? The first two made me think Spotted - but it was a very fleeting glimpse. When I saw the bird from a different...

Thank you for your comprehensive reply Lou - always appreciated

Guys - your help with these please! I'm thinking Willow warbler... but just want to check its not a deceiving Chiffchaff! Please note that these photos were taken at golden hour thus exaggerating the yellow colours. The legs although seeming to be fairly pale in the bright sun do look quite a...

That’s very comprehensive - thanks so much for taking the time to explain it! Back to the drawing board!!!!!!!

thanks everyone who has replied so far - any other takers?

Oh noooooo! You are kidding me! Seriously? Would you mind explaining why? I'm using the Collins guide... and it seemed (or so I thought!) to fit 2nd W Casp. The slanted head angle, long beak, full chest... Thanks for any help you can offer!!!

Dear all - I’m by no means a gull expert... but this one stood out to me! I know what I’d like it to be.... (Casp....)... please don’t tell me it’s a Herring!!!!!!!🙈

Great - Thanks everyone for all your help!

OK - thanks for explaining it!! I'm fairly new to seawatching... hard to find much info on learning the different birds as most of the guides I have aren't too helpful for ID'ing these birds flying past a mile away on a hazy sea!

Thanks for your replies... could you help me out with identifying marks? i Can see the difference in the books... but struggling in the field!

I’d love these divers... especially the one on the right to be BT divers... but: is it possible to ID with certainty from a pic of this quality? RT are much more commonly seen here in Kent on the South East Coast... although BT and GN are Seen on occasion. pictures taken yesterday! Many thanks

Thank you everyone for your well informed replies! Much appreciated

Hi all - trying to improve gull ID skills... so could you let me know if I’m right or wrong with the following: 1) 3rd winter Herring 2) 1st winter GBB Both seen today in Kent. thanks for your help