Eur. Reed or Blyth's Reed Warbler ? Ile de Sein - France (1 Viewer)

[Gduff]

Seen this bird yesterday, which looked rather dull and pale, even at warm sun.
It was very elusive but I managed to take these photos.
I'd appreciate your input.

Cheers

 

[Tib78]

It’s not a Blyth’s, just a Reed warbler.

 

[KenM]

It’s not a Blyth’s, just a Reed warbler.

Why is it a Reed Warbler with such a rounded wing and short primary projection?

Cheers

 

[Tib78]

Why is it a Reed Warbler with such a rounded wing and short primary projection?

Cheers

P2 > P5

 

[Paul Leader]

Surely neither wing formula nor primary projection can be assessed based on photos of a bird in flight. Both rely on the wing being in a closed, natural position.

 

[tconzemi]

Surely neither wing formula nor primary projection can be assessed based on photos of a bird in flight. Both rely on the wing being in a closed, natural position.

Hmmm? Does Lars Svensson know that?
Dumetorum here

 

[Tib78]

Surely neither wing formula nor primary projection can be assessed based on photos of a bird in flight. Both rely on the wing being in a closed, natural position.

Regarding the primary projection I would agree with you although some pictures presented here give a fairly good indication of the length of the PP in my opinion.
On the other hand, one picture (cropped and attached to this post) is dead perfect to gauge the wing formula in my view.
Compare to the wing formula to this Blyth’s whose wing is also in a proper position to assess the wing formula in my view: ML611232271 - Blyth's Reed Warbler - Macaulay Library
Of course there are other elements visible in these images that point to a Reed warbler: tertials pattern, general coloring, lack of supercilium.

 

[Paul Leader]

View attachment 1607362
Hmmm? Does Lars Svensson know that?
Dumetorum here

Yes, he does!

 

[Paul Leader]

Regarding the primary projection I would agree with you although some pictures presented here give a fairly good indication of the length of the PP in my opinion.
On the other hand, one picture (cropped and attached to this post) is dead perfect to gauge the wing formula in my view.
Compare to the wing formula to this Blyth’s whose wing is also in a proper position to assess the wing formula in my view: ML611232271 - Blyth's Reed Warbler - Macaulay Library
Of course there are other elements visible in these images that point to a Reed warbler: tertials pattern, general coloring, lack of supercilium.

All passerine wing formula data is collected using the technique referred to above by Lars Svensson, and relates to the wing when closed. It simply does compare to birds in flight.

 

[Tib78]

All passerine wing formula data is collected using the technique referred to above by Lars Svensson, and relates to the wing when closed. It simply does compare to birds in flight.

Of course the wing formula is normally established/primarily meant to be used with the wing closed. But it does work with birds in flight to some extent and under the right circumstances.
A Blyth’s « frozen » in the same position has the picture I attached to my previous post would show a significantly shorter P2 with regard to P5 (and also P3/P4 actually).
Wing formula is routinely used on pics to distinguish female type Lesser from Common kestrel for instance. It’s not used to the same extent with pictures of passerines for obvious reasons but, again, under the right circumstances, it works.