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Redpoll help! (1 Viewer)

DOC REED

DOC REED

Well-known member
Have a flock of 500+ redpoll on my local patch here in N Yorks! Lots of interestng birds, see yorkshire thread for earlier photos.Feeding high up..but I think there is a goody amongst them...not that have nailed one in the field. Thoughts on these birds would be welcome!The flock is mostly Lessers and feeding high up...but some birds seem paler.Don't ask me about rumps! One photo i feel shows hint pale rump..but they are just too high at moment.The Niger seed is going down tomorrow..but does anyone see anything other than 'Lesser' here.I do...but am biased!
Cheers
Paul
 

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DOC REED said:
Don't do Lee! But don't think its Arctic...Wondering more about Mealy??
Paul
Click to expand...

Don't think Ben was suggesting that you 'do' Lee, just that he was pointing you in the direction of two excellently produced articles on Arctic/Mealy/Lesser Redpolls!!!

For what it's worth, I think these are Mealy!
 
Yes!!!!!!!!

David Norgate said:
Don't think Ben was suggesting that you 'do' Lee, just that he was pointing you in the direction of two excellently produced articles on Arctic/Mealy/Lesser Redpolls!!!

For what it's worth, I think these are Mealy!
Click to expand...

Am happy with Mealy.....just glad they are not lessers...knew i had something different!!
And no disrespect to Lee...have read that article before posting!!!
Just not a lister!
Cheers
Paul
 
Yes, having looked closer at the pictures I agree, it looks like a Mealy rather than Arctic. My first impressions were that it was a very pale individual, however the rump picture shows too much 'colour' on rump as well as the vent having quite a few black shafts rather than the hoped for one/none.
Still a cracking bird Paul, nice photo's too, If I had a flock of 500 Redpoll's I'd be hoping for a goody amongst them, keep checking!
 
I agree these ones appear to be mealy (common). The last photo could be of a lesser. About 1 in 5 in many of the big redpoll flocks locally are being reported as mealy and I agree those redpoll articles already mentioned are really good and worth a look.

Photo 1 would certainly get the heart racing but the faint streaking on the rump seems to rule out arctic. Similarly the coarse flank streaking (on some) and the thick dark undertail streaking (sometimes just single streak) seem to rule this out. Some 1st wint arctics are virtually indistinguishable from mealy, which can vary considerably. Would certainly keep going back to the flock to check.
 
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Jhanlon said:
I agree these ones appear to be mealy (common). The last photo could be of a lesser. About 1 in 5 in many of the big redpoll flocks locally are being reported as mealy and I agree those redpoll articles already mentioned are really good and worth a look.
Click to expand...

Just shows how dffcult it is..the last pic intrigued me bebause of the heavy tarsal feathering..maybe suggesting a northern bird...but what do I/we know??????
 
ben_lewis said:
Yes, having looked closer at the pictures I agree, it looks like a Mealy rather than Arctic. My first impressions were that it was a very pale individual, however the rump picture shows too much 'colour' on rump as well as the vent having quite a few black shafts rather than the hoped for one/none.
Still a cracking bird Paul, nice photo's too, If I had a flock of 500 Redpoll's I'd be hoping for a goody amongst them, keep checking!
Click to expand...

Cheers Ben
Hopefully can go back to yorkshire site with some self belief now!Was really only thinking Mealy at best..one prominent yorkshire birder and id expert supported me,,but most thought i just had lessers.In fairness my earlier pics did show some lessers...i am learning with every post on these 'buggers'!!Thanks for your help!
Paul
 
I'm sure you saw there is a metal ring on the bird in the last photo. Though being able to read anything other than an "8" - or possibly a "B" may be very difficult!
 
abi107 said:
I'm sure you saw there is a metal ring on the bird in the last photo. Though being able to read anything other than an "8" - or possibly a "B" may be very difficult!
Click to expand...

Nice spot..had noticed myself...so if any ringers would care to comment?
 
Paul, pic 1 is a Common Redpoll. If it isn't with that rump, throw away the literature. I agree that pic 5 may be a Lesser - buff wingbars. Obviously a bright day and a bright sky, so some of the Lessers may appear more frosty around the head.

How many of the four first pic's are of the same bird? Just curious.

I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks for the directions.
 
that fourth pic looks good for Coues's Arctic - pushed in bill look plus looks like it has a 'black eye', limited flank streaking and single streak on utc's. Would need more pics but not a bad candidate. First three Mealy and last Lesser
 
Hotspur said:
that fourth pic looks good for Coues's Arctic - pushed in bill look plus looks like it has a 'black eye', limited flank streaking and single streak on utc's. Would need more pics but not a bad candidate. First three Mealy and last Lesser
Click to expand...

Thanks guys..obviously some good birds there at least. The Niger is down..hoping they will hang around and come in to it!!
 
Lawts said:
Paul, pic 1 is a Common Redpoll. If it isn't with that rump, throw away the literature. I agree that pic 5 may be a Lesser - buff wingbars. Obviously a bright day and a bright sky, so some of the Lessers may appear more frosty around the head.

How many of the four first pic's are of the same bird? Just curious.

I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks for the directions.
Click to expand...

Several birds!!!Would have to go through them to be exact..but they were all around me!Off the top of my head; bird 1 individual,2 and 3 same., 4 individual ,5 individual!
 
Hotspur said:
that fourth pic looks good for Coues's Arctic - pushed in bill look plus looks like it has a 'black eye', limited flank streaking and single streak on utc's. Would need more pics but not a bad candidate. First three Mealy and last Lesser
Click to expand...

Hi James
would 'Coues' be a good local record, rather than regional/national.Just unsure what to do re reporting this flock.Lawts will hopefully get there tomorrow ..but should I wait before putting these out?
 
some more pics

from same day, including further pic for James re putative Coues.Also a pic depicting small part of flock.
 

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DOC REED said:
Hi James
would 'Coues' be a good local record, rather than regional/national.Just unsure what to do re reporting this flock.Lawts will hopefully get there tomorrow ..but should I wait before putting these out?
Click to expand...

Arctic isn't a national rarity so it would go to the vice-county recorder. Contact them with your pics, numbers of Redpolls, Mealies plus pics. Include pic 4 and label it interesting and any other observations about it. For me I can't rule Mealy out on the one pic and with Coues's generally less well marked birds dont get accepted without a number of pics. Depending on peoples views on this bird and access I would be tempted to put it out as a possible to news services. If no access don't put it out.
 
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