various LBJs, Gower, Wales (1 Viewer)

[marnixR]

attached pictures of five different LBJs seen earlier today in the north-eastern corner of the Gower peninsula between Broughton Burrows and Whiteford Burrows, an environment dominated by vegetated dunes

as per usual i'm totally at sea as to what type of passerine they could be

any help in identifying them (if the pictures are up to scratch) would be appreciated

 

[Earnest lad]

Dear Sir
In my inexpert opinion I would proffer as follows;

1. Whitethroat
2, 3, 4 Stonechat
5. Whitethroat

 

[CARERY]

Agree with (Common) Whitethroat for 1, 5 and Stonechat for 3 (a juvenile) and 4 (adult female). 2 is a Dunnock, e.g. tail too long for Stonechat...

 

[marnixR]

i assume that the 3 identified as stonechat presumably are juveniles then ?

as for whitethroat, i can see where you're coming from, but then i have the problem that in an earlier post a bird was also identified as a whitethroat which to my inexpert eye looks quite different - picture attached for reference

 

[BobbitWorm45]

The differences are just lighting, position, ruffled feathers, etc.

 

[CARERY]

i assume that the 3 identified as stonechat presumably are juveniles then ?

as for whitethroat, i can see where you're coming from, but then i have the problem that in an earlier post a bird was also identified as a whitethroat which to my inexpert eye looks quite different - picture attached for reference

Note my upper post regarding the Stonechats...

The Whitethroat in the last post is an adult whereas the two in post 1 are juveniles. Adults have a pale iris (very dark in juv) and much more worn feathers so the diagnostic broad rufous fringes of the remiges are almost gone. Of course lighting plays a role too...

 

[marnixR]

Note my upper post regarding the Stonechats...

The Whitethroat in the last post is an adult whereas the two in post 1 are juveniles. Adults have a pale iris (very dark in juv) and much more worn feathers so the diagnostic broad rufous fringes of the remiges are almost gone. Of course lighting plays a role too...

stonechat comment noted - i just was typing my reply while you posted your post

as for the difference between the whitethroats in both post, the one in the earlier post seems to my eye have a longer and differently shaped beak - is that also something to do with juveniles versus adults ?

 

[foresttwitcher]

It looks to me that it is down to the head angle fore-shortening the bill - the bird in #4 is almost side on whereas the others (#1) have the head angled toward the camera.

 

[marnixR]

oh, ok

thanks