Paul Chapman
Well-known member
Fifteen pictures of the Paddyfield Pipit at Sennen, Cornwall from 3rd November 2019. The bird has been identified by sonogram from its apparently diagnostic call albeit DNA confirmation is also being sought. Before the significance of the sonogram had been realised, the identification as Richard's Pipit had already being disputed.
The species is largely sedentary. The previous nearest records are from the UAE. As a result, it seems pretty irrefutable that the bird will not be a genuine unassisted vagrant and the likely possibilities are either a deliberate import and subsequent escape or a bird that has received an inadvertent assisted passage.
The condition of the bird is poor with apparent arrested moult in the wings and tail with two ages of primaries and tail feathers in particular being very obvious. It has been suggested that this suggests trauma thereby supporting either the escape or assisted passage theories.
The hindclaw is significantly shorter than Richard's Pipit. One observer suggested to me that its hindclaws are of unequal length but from my pictures, I am unsure about that.
All the best
Paul
The species is largely sedentary. The previous nearest records are from the UAE. As a result, it seems pretty irrefutable that the bird will not be a genuine unassisted vagrant and the likely possibilities are either a deliberate import and subsequent escape or a bird that has received an inadvertent assisted passage.
The condition of the bird is poor with apparent arrested moult in the wings and tail with two ages of primaries and tail feathers in particular being very obvious. It has been suggested that this suggests trauma thereby supporting either the escape or assisted passage theories.
The hindclaw is significantly shorter than Richard's Pipit. One observer suggested to me that its hindclaws are of unequal length but from my pictures, I am unsure about that.
All the best
Paul