Mystery Diver (1 Viewer)

Ruby · Jan 30, 2004

...Well it is to me, at any rate...

Probably just me being a bit thick, but anyone know what this is??

Thanks in advance..... Ruby

Jane Turner · Jan 30, 2004

It looks like a breeding plumage sinensis cormorant to me.

CJW · Jan 30, 2004

I agree, sinensis Cormorant.

Ruby · Jan 30, 2004

Blimey - that was quick...

Thanks guys - I can see a description of this in my book now, but no picture.

Seen at Bough Beech in Kent today - are they common??

Andrew Whitehouse · Jan 30, 2004

I've always assumed that we were supposed to refer to white-headed Cormorants like this as 'sinensis types' because you can't be sure that it's not an older carbo with more white than usual.

Brian Stone · Jan 30, 2004

Very difficult to tell with the angle of this pic but the gular pouch looks large so it might well be sinensis. I am trying to discourage local observers from describing a bird as sinensis based on white filoplumes alone. Check out http://www.paxton-pits.org.uk/cormorant/id/ for some detailed analysis of Cormorant types.

Nice pic BTW.

Jane Turner · Jan 30, 2004

Fifebirder said:
I've always assumed that we were supposed to refer to white-headed Cormorants like this as 'sinensis types' because you can't be sure that it's not an older carbo with more white than usual.

I've had it drummed into me that white-headed cormorants are as likely to be old males as sinensis... however:

I'm sure Martin (Garner) won't mind me posting this. I mean't to ask him why it was a def sinensis.. I gather they are getting quite numerous inland in Yorkshire.

Michael Frankis · Jan 30, 2004

I've seen Cormorants with as many filofaxes as this one nesting on the Farne Islands - very likely to be all carbo - so I'd agree with just ordinary Cormorant, no racial ident possible on this view.

Michael

Ruby · Jan 30, 2004

I've got some other photos from different angles if that would help... bit more blurry unfortunately...

What aspect would be best??

Brian Stone · Jan 30, 2004

With the bird's head in profile as much as possible.

Ruby · Jan 30, 2004

Here's a couple of other views - they're not very clear I'm afraid...

jpoyner · Jan 30, 2004

Jane Turner said:
I've had it drummed into me that white-headed cormorants are as likely to be old males as sinensis... however:

I'm sure Martin (Garner) won't mind me posting this. I mean't to ask him why it was a def sinensis.. I gather they are getting quite numerous inland in Yorkshire.

Isn't this a photo of a Shag ?

jpoyner · Jan 30, 2004

Though looking at it from the other side of the room maybe not :h?:

alcedo.atthis · Jan 30, 2004

"Isn't this a photo of a Shag ?"

John, have you been at the Highland Malt??

Malky "Hic, hic"!!

Stephen Dunstan · Jan 30, 2004

Looks like carbo to me.

Stephen.

Michael Frankis · Jan 30, 2004

The angle on the gular pouch is over 100°, which makes it sinensis from Brian's website

Michael

Stephen Dunstan · Jan 30, 2004

I understand the point about the degree of the gular patch, but it still doesn't look like a classic sinensis. Could of course be a carbo x sinensis as these are quite common at Abberton and other southern nest sites.

Stephen Dunstan · Jan 30, 2004

Don't things like size and colour come into it anyway - how big was it?

Stephen.

Edward woodwood · Jan 30, 2004

is the angle of the gular pouch a diagnostic feature? I think I missed that meeting!

Jane Turner · Jan 30, 2004

Its something that got past me too

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