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little bunting? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter paul_j_c2000
- Start date
Frenchy
Well-known member
Hi Paul
Check that book of yours again, and go through all of the buntings. Check out in particular the exact face pattern, breast pattern and exact shape and size of the bill.
I reckon you can ID this one yourself from the photos. If you're still stuck, then give us a list of potentials and we'll go through them.
Check that book of yours again, and go through all of the buntings. Check out in particular the exact face pattern, breast pattern and exact shape and size of the bill.
I reckon you can ID this one yourself from the photos. If you're still stuck, then give us a list of potentials and we'll go through them.
bitterntwisted
Graham Howard Shortt
Try searching for photos of Little Bunting in Hertfordshire here: http://www.birdguides.com/pictures/default.asp That should help.
Graham
Graham
paul_j_c2000
Well-known member
Hi i hoped you wasnt going to say that it was my first thought,but as one has been seen in the area it was my hope that i had a picture of it it looked a lot smaller and more plump than a reed bunting plus the ring around the eye looked quite pronounced
tarzzz said:
tarzzz
Well-known member
The facepattern look very similar to the upper most pic here:
http://orre.mine.nu/faglar/savsparv.asp
//Ben
http://orre.mine.nu/faglar/savsparv.asp
//Ben
female Reed Bunting for me too. Superb photos by the way. Check the white outer tail feathers, cheeks not as obviously red-brown as on Little Bunting. I presume from the bare vegetation that the bird was seen in winter. Little Buntings do occasionally over winter, but Reed Bunting is far more common. I think I can see why you were misled - unless your guide book shows all plumages, male, female, summer and winter and everything in between, it is difficult to be sure. Collins Bird Guide is pretty good. Hope this helps.
Ken
I see Jyothi has just beaten me to it with helpful photos.
Ken
I see Jyothi has just beaten me to it with helpful photos.
Last edited:
bitterntwisted
Graham Howard Shortt
Paul,
The best way to see the Little Bunting at Amwell is from the watchpoint looking down at the cut section of reeds where food has been laid down. I must say it is not easy to pick out from the many Reed Buntings at first. I'd have a good look at the photos beforehand though so you can confidently spot the Little Bunting - I found the chestnut ear coverts were the most distinctive feature through bins. And bear in mind that the Reed Buntings are in moult so they all look slightly different too. You may also have a bit of a wait but when I was there it was showing for a minute or two every forty minutes or so. More recently it seems to be best seen early morning. While you are waiting though, there are at least 3 Water Rails giving excellent views and drake smews on the lake beyond.
More help and tips here: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=77443
All the best,
Graham
The best way to see the Little Bunting at Amwell is from the watchpoint looking down at the cut section of reeds where food has been laid down. I must say it is not easy to pick out from the many Reed Buntings at first. I'd have a good look at the photos beforehand though so you can confidently spot the Little Bunting - I found the chestnut ear coverts were the most distinctive feature through bins. And bear in mind that the Reed Buntings are in moult so they all look slightly different too. You may also have a bit of a wait but when I was there it was showing for a minute or two every forty minutes or so. More recently it seems to be best seen early morning. While you are waiting though, there are at least 3 Water Rails giving excellent views and drake smews on the lake beyond.
More help and tips here: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=77443
All the best,
Graham
paul_j_c2000
Well-known member
a great big thankyou
thankyou very much everyone for all your help its nice to think people do have time for us novices ,been to amwell today no little bunting but i did see the bittern
thankyou very much everyone for all your help its nice to think people do have time for us novices ,been to amwell today no little bunting but i did see the bittern
bitterntwisted
Graham Howard Shortt
paul_j_c2000 said:
I can promise you that a Bittern is much more exciting than the Little Bunting, and an excellent bird for a "novice". Nice one. Hope you see the Smew and Water Rail next time - both very smart birds.
Graham
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