GYBirder23
Well-known member
37 Med Gulls, 77 Sanderlings and 56 Ringed Plovers on Great Yarmouth North Beach by Brittania Pier, c300 Grey / Common Seal on scroby sands
“On a tiny marsh (on a tiny marsh)
By a tiny hide (by a tiny hide)
Where the lovely bird (where the lovely bird)
Had a lovely preen (had a lovely preen)
And the last it heard (and the last it heard)
It lived gullibly
Was Guillie Guillie Aukgonefeather Greater Black Back Cley Marsh Next The Sea
Was Guillie Guillie Aukgonefeather Greater Black Back Cley Marsh Next The Sea”
this is probably what the inside of John's head is like
Too idyllically romantic and ‘biscuit-tin’, for me, Josh.
I haven’t inhabited the world of gingerbread men since I was about 6 !
As for your supposition, try the pic below.
Hello Ricky.
Female Marsh Harriers can be very variable. Going by the pale tips to the upperwing coverts this bird is presumably an immature as you rightly suspect. Great pictures!
I wonder if it isn't a young male? . . and nice to see some people are still posting about birds!
Hi folks does anyone have any latest information re waxwings in Norwich? I've got the day off work today so hoping to pop out later. Also if anyone fancies meeting up please let me know.
Hi folks does anyone have any latest information re waxwings in Norwich? I've got the day off work today so hoping to pop out later. Also if anyone fancies meeting up please let me know.
Enjoying the variety of discussion folks.
Agree Whole-heartedly. At the moment this thread has an excellent balance of discussion, sightings and humour and an hour spent on here is far more rewarding than an hour spent in front of the goggle Box.
ftj Thanks pal, I have been humming a certain Bygraves theme for the last three days and am going crazy!
I wonder if it isn't a young male?
I am thinking that you may be right. It definately has paler irises. Do females have pale irises at all? Just checked a couple of books and according to the illustrations - no. On the photo of the underwing the base of the primaries and secondaries do show a somewhat grey area. Structually it does appear slighter too. I really do not know so one for the experts.
Yes ! Even I do, from time to time.
You’re usually spot on, Dave. Once you’ve pronounced, I tend to accept it as gospel. However, in this case, my first impressions (always a useful guide, I find) were of a female.
Then, I consulted my "Raptors of the World".
I will just mention two features: the appearance and position of the mantle-patch and the breast-patch/necklace. Neither of these should be on a male, Shirley ?
I await the opinions of others, more skilled in such matters, hoping that neither I nor the harrier will be shot down.
I am thinking that you may be right. It definately has paler irises. Do females have pale irises at all? Just checked a couple of books and according to the illustrations - no. On the photo of the underwing the base of the primaries and secondaries do show a somewhat grey area. Structually it does appear slighter too. I really do not know so one for the experts.
Thanks for the info. I didn't make it out today but maybe tomorrow.