Norfolk birding (108 Viewers)

[firstreesjohn]

Shifty fades off Grey-

Who would’ve thought that, within one week, two huge blockers could’ve been eclipsed by a bloomin’ buntin’ ! And in County, too.

The poor finder must be more than emberized.

Hey ! Ho !

 

[O.Reville1989]

Just come up on the pager that the Ortolan Bunting was probably a Grey-necked Bunting – no words..............

C'est la vie, just one of those things.
Time delay the frustration but anyone can make an error with id.
There will be another .

 

[Phil Carter]

Just come up on the pager that the Ortolan Bunting was probably a Grey-necked Bunting – no words..............

What's the story?

Phil

 

[Phil Andrews]

What's the story?

Phil

No Morning Glory for Penny

 

[firstreesjohn]

No Morning Glory for Penny

Although one could hardly describe Blakeney Freshes as an Oasis.

This just goes to illustrate the merits of sharing one’s birds with others.

With more observers (photos, even), an FfB would’ve been in the bag.

 

[Penny Clarke]

....This just goes to illustrate the merits of sharing one’s birds with others.

With more observers (photos, even), an FfB would’ve been in the bag.

Exactly:t:

 

[Mark Batten]

Ironic that bird was found within walking distance of birders who would have id it within a matter of seconds! Hey ho, would not of got there before dark! Have to settle for a needletail and a Bridled Tern instead

 

[James Emerson]

With more observers (photos, even), an FfB would’ve been in the bag.

This comment suggests that the bird was definitely a Grey-necked Bunting.

I appreciate that I am not in any sort of 'loop' so this may be common knowledge, but can anyone say what has happened to turn an unseasonal report of an Ortolan Bunting into a probable Grey-necked Bunting? Particularly if there aren't any photos to apply a retrospective ID from.

 

[Phil Carter]

This comment suggests that the bird was definitely a Grey-necked Bunting.

I appreciate that I am not in any sort of 'loop' so this may be common knowledge, but can anyone say what has happened to turn an unseasonal report of an Ortolan Bunting into a probable Grey-necked Bunting? Particularly if there aren't any photos to apply a retrospective ID from.

That's what I was wondering. Are July Ortolans unprecedented?

Phil

 

[Redbridge]

This comment suggests that the bird was definitely a Grey-necked Bunting.

I appreciate that I am not in any sort of 'loop' so this may be common knowledge, but can anyone say what has happened to turn an unseasonal report of an Ortolan Bunting into a probable Grey-necked Bunting? Particularly if there aren't any photos to apply a retrospective ID from.

I thought this as soon as Grey-necked was spoken up. What's more likely; an unseasonal passage migrant (there have been late June records before, I don't know about July) or a bird never recorded in Britain?

 

[MICK SAUNT]

Worth a look 'just in case':

http://birdingfrontiers.com/2013/06...rikes-twice-grey-necked-bunting-on-helgoland/

although would like to think that the last bit might turn into 'lightning-sometimes-strikes-twice-grey-necked-bunting-in-norfolk'........

Believe if bird was an Ortolan would be first July record for county hence interest (not that Ortolans aren't smart birds in their own right).

Mick

 

[O.Reville1989]

Worth a look 'just in case':

http://birdingfrontiers.com/2013/06...rikes-twice-grey-necked-bunting-on-helgoland/

although would like to think that the last bit might turn into 'lightning-sometimes-strikes-twice-grey-necked-bunting-in-norfolk'........

Believe if bird was an Ortolan would be first July record for county hence interest (not that Ortolans aren't smart birds in their own right).

Mick

Friend from Germany was lucky enough to see the recent Helgoland bird.

 

[Penny Clarke]

The finder reported his find to Birdguides I had heard. I have just emailed them to ask why the report has changed from Ortolan to 'possible' Grey-necked Bunting' and they have replied by email to me.

Reply on my blog HERE

Penny:girl:

 

[Phil Andrews]

The finder reported his find to Birdguides I had heard. I have just emailed them to ask why the report has changed from Ortolan to 'possible' Grey-necked Bunting' and they have replied by email to me.

Reply on my blog HERE

Penny:girl:

Thanks Penny - still not an awful lot to go on

 

[Penny Clarke]

Thanks Penny - still not an awful lot to go on

No, I know, I am trying very hard to forget about it. But that's not easy!

Penny:girl:

 

[Mark Batten]

Thanks Penny - still not an awful lot to go on

So a birder who has probably never heard of a species now thinks it is one two days later! Mmmmmmm.

 

[Steve Lister]

It strikes me that maybe there is a sort of Chinese whispers going on here.

Somebody presumably not that experienced thinks he/she saw an Ortolan.

Other people think 'Oo, funny time for an Ortolan and there was a Grey-necked Bunting in Germany a few weeks ago'.

Birdguides go along with this and check with the observer, then putting out news of it as a possible Grey-necked Bunting.

Somebody then promotes it from 'possible' to probable'.

Personally I would wait to find out what the original observer wrote/ recorded at the time (presumably there are no photographs). What colour was the throat? Did it have a grey breast band? Any detail of the mantle?

Steve

 

[Phil Andrews]

It strikes me that maybe there is a sort of Chinese whispers going on here.

Somebody presumably not that experienced thinks he/she saw an Ortolan.

Other people think 'Oo, funny time for an Ortolan and there was a Grey-necked Bunting in Germany a few weeks ago'.

Birdguides go along with this and check with the observer, then putting out news of it as a possible Grey-necked Bunting.

Somebody then promotes it from 'possible' to probable'.

Personally I would wait to find out what the original observer wrote/ recorded at the time (presumably there are no photographs). What colour was the throat? Did it have a grey breast band? Any detail of the mantle?

Steve

See Josh Jones's fuller account of his conversation with the finder on the Rarities thread

 

[O.Reville1989]

It strikes me that maybe there is a sort of Chinese whispers going on here.

Somebody presumably not that experienced thinks he/she saw an Ortolan.

Other people think 'Oo, funny time for an Ortolan and there was a Grey-necked Bunting in Germany a few weeks ago'.

Birdguides go along with this and check with the observer, then putting out news of it as a possible Grey-necked Bunting.

Somebody then promotes it from 'possible' to probable'.

Personally I would wait to find out what the original observer wrote/ recorded at the time (presumably there are no photographs). What colour was the throat? Did it have a grey breast band? Any detail of the mantle?

Steve

Well said, Steve.

 

[Penny Clarke]

Update on the 'bunting' from Josh Jones HERE