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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mike Toms" data-source="post: 1298475" data-attributes="member: 69629">Thanks to Penny for posting these images and for everybody who has contributed to the debate about this bird. Over the last week we have been canvassing the views of a number of colleagues, both at the BTO and more widely across Europe. Like us, others feel that this is an interesting bird and not necessarily a clear-cut Reed or Marsh. I should say at this point that the bird was never claimed in the field as a Marsh Warbler (nor even a possible Marsh Warbler) but merely caught our eye as being interesting. While it did not strike us as a clear candidate for Marsh it was not your typical 1w Reed and this is what prompted us to spend some time watching the bird, drawing others to subsequently watch and photograph the bird.The general consensus of the folk we have shown the images to is that this bird is a Reed but not a clear cut one. There have been some exceptions to this consensus, including from experienced observers who have handled a good number of both species, with some going for Marsh and others for Reed. However, reasons for doubts over the bird being a Marsh are (i) that it seems short-winged for Marsh, (ii) the bill is too short and not broad enough for Marsh, (iii) leg and claw colour are not pale enough and (iv) the colouring is not olive-grey enough. The characteristics suggestive of Marsh in the field were head shape (nice and round and more open than the pointy features of Reed), wing length/primary projection, colour of the flanks and general colouration (the bird being pale and concolourous from rump to nape when seen in dead light). Colouration is a less reliable feature in the field, and seems to be where the greatest degree of overlap can occur between the two species, with clinal variation in Reed Warbler colour noted across the range. Similarly, leg colouration can be variable in autumn. Penny's photographs allow the bird to be examined more readily and for structural characteristics to be examined at a more leisurely pace.In conclusion then, we'd go with a Reed Warbler, possibly from the eastern part of the range. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the debate.Mike Toms</blockquote>

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