I thought I knew british birds fairly well but can't put a name to this one at all. About the size of a mistle thrush I would say, certainly 'medium sized' not 'small'! Seen in upland habitat with heather, bilberries, in Shropshire
Welcome to the forum Adeline. That looks very much like a male Wheat-ear, a summer migrant to the UK. Normally found on heaths, moors and coastal areas.
yes nice shot of a wheatear
Welcome to the forum! I looked at the image, and first bird that came to mind was a male Wheat-ear.
Definately not a wheatear. Much bigger. I know wheatears, we have a pair nest here.
Ok then. Could it possibly be a (Rock)Nuthatch?
Sorry change that. I think it is a Northen Wheatear. Take a look at this image of one: (not my own image)
Well I suppose it could be if the Northern wheatear is a lot bigger than our normal ones. Niether of us had the impression of the standard black/white wheatear tail, and the larger size of the bird, it's rather short stubby tail, and then the flight pattern/call/general impression as it flew away was more reminiscent of some sort of woodpecker, really, than anything I associate with wheatears. Yes I'd totally agree that the plumage looks right for wheatear family but everything else didn't look like that to me. Like I say, we have wheatears nest here on our land and they did at our farm in Wales too, I know them and it just was not your standard issue wheatear. Wish it was a better photo.
For scale, look for the bracken loop coming up to the right of the birds feet, that would be what, 2" high? and in about the same plane as the bird is. That makes a bird a really good 6" long or more.
For scale, look for the bracken loop coming up to the right of the birds feet, that would be what, 2" high? and in about the same plane as the bird is. That makes a bird a really good 6" long or more.
The bracken loop look a good 8-12 inch in front of the bird Adeline. The bird is 100% Northern Wheatear.
This would have fit nicely on to the Bird ID Q&A thread i started? Moderators?
Well Paul, Adeline is a new member to the forum, so she didn't know about your "Bird Identification Q&A" thread.
Are we all agreed it is a Northen Wheatear?
I agree it looks like a Northern Wheatear from the photos, it's a beautiful bird. Welcome to the forums by the way Adeline.
This would have fit in the Q&A thread, but no problem with it being a separate thread either
Thanks everybody for your input, I'll go with Northern wheatear then, a new one for me!
Adeline