Steve G
RAINBIRDER
Hi All,
Whilst on a very enjoyable family holiday on Lesvos in August I took this image near Kalloni saltpans. The bird was one of three which were feeding on windblown seeds on dried-out rather barren coastal grassland. Judging by the build, bill & general appearance I had thought the bird to be a bunting. It seems pretty tatty & worn & I had thought it to be a moulting adult but of what species?
Lesvos has a number of Bunting species & excluding the rarer vagrants, the list would include: Cinereous, Cretzschmar's,Black-headed, Corn & Cirl. I had thought it to perhaps be a tatty female moulting Cirl bunting but my experience of all these buntings are limited -in Fife its Reed Bunting, Reed Bunting or Reed Bunting (ok, we've got a few Corn too!).
I would be grateful for an ID & especially a brief resume of your reasoning.
Incidentally, I would strongly recommend Lesvos as a SUMMER holiday venue for the birding family man/woman-there is enough to keep the spouse & kids happy & a triplist of in excess of 100 species is possible.
Thanks in anticipation.
Whilst on a very enjoyable family holiday on Lesvos in August I took this image near Kalloni saltpans. The bird was one of three which were feeding on windblown seeds on dried-out rather barren coastal grassland. Judging by the build, bill & general appearance I had thought the bird to be a bunting. It seems pretty tatty & worn & I had thought it to be a moulting adult but of what species?
Lesvos has a number of Bunting species & excluding the rarer vagrants, the list would include: Cinereous, Cretzschmar's,Black-headed, Corn & Cirl. I had thought it to perhaps be a tatty female moulting Cirl bunting but my experience of all these buntings are limited -in Fife its Reed Bunting, Reed Bunting or Reed Bunting (ok, we've got a few Corn too!).
I would be grateful for an ID & especially a brief resume of your reasoning.
Incidentally, I would strongly recommend Lesvos as a SUMMER holiday venue for the birding family man/woman-there is enough to keep the spouse & kids happy & a triplist of in excess of 100 species is possible.
Thanks in anticipation.