Alan Harris

or is it some weird pigmentation thing?

#birdhybrids

An underlying problem with high profile reintroductions in the UK is that it teaches uneducated politicians that they don't need to safeguard and improve the environment. In a simple fix they can just let something go, or plant another whatever somewhere else. Job done.

Isn't top right a Rose-ringed Parakeet hiding behind a log?
Big influx of Snipe - 34 from Gadwall hide. #ukbirding

#birdhybrids

The darkness of the flanks suggest New Zealand Scaup x Tufted Duck perhaps?. I would rule out RND on flank panel shape. The bird behind appears to be a Tufted x Red-crested Pochard #birdhybrids

Actually, the last accepted record of a live Corncrake in Herts was on 19 September 2014 (I saw it 😄) #UKbirding

Colin Everett had nine Cranes fly SSW over Bedmond, Herts at 1325 today #UKbirding #hertsbirds

Looking like a Caspian to me

I'd say the immature is a leucistic Herring Gull, having darker secondaries and tail bar.

#birdhybrids

#birdhybrids

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Same here in east Herts. So far we have ringed over 630, our previous best was 411 (and that was last year). Nice to have a bird 'on the up' #Hertsbirds #UKbirding

I agree it is a Common Whitethroat for the reasons you state. Leg pinkish too (not grey). Taken in June so rather worn and dull. #UKbirding

That is a well known phenomenon -the closer you get to a Shelduck the smaller it gets............#ukbirding

Beautiful 'acredula' type Willow Warbler caught and ringed today at Rye Meads, Herts (birds lacking yellow can occur in any population but predominately in the north and east). #ukbirding #hertsbirds

Just started with them - I am THE distant House Martin detectorist now!!! (I was thinking they'd gone extinct). #UKbirding

Indeed I will. 😀

That's a great plumage stage youv'e captured there

Got the same, I think I accidently imported them from Cornwall some years ago. They are proper annoying, sometimes my house is like Miss Havershams................

Early morning ringing session at Rye Meads enlivened by a fly over Night Heron! That completes my self found heron patch list - Bittern, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Squacco, Little Bittern, Little, Cattle and Great Egrets! It has taken fifty-one years, but.... quite chuffed really. #UKbirding

Excellent. I have been waiting patiently to ring one up at Rye Meads, but no luck yet ! (three pairs breeding this year).

They are both drakes, yes?

That 'wingbar' will be short lived I think - he's dropped his greater coverts as part of the annual moult exposing pale secondary bases (some primaries gone too?)

I was watching two just fledged Groppers only last night.
I can't tell you if the male has starting singing again cos I've gone a bit deef.........(I never heard him in the first place!)

They often 're-sing' for a short period between broods (hello Dan).

Looks like the same bird to me. P6 has distinctive (unique) damage to tip. #ukbirding

Thanks for the information Tom. I'll be giving it some more thought no doubt.