While at my local patch, the River Crouch in Essex today, I came across two birds I have failed to identify.

The first one looked like a Reed Bunting, but it had very distinctive white lines on the head, one of which went through the eye. It had a black head, and unfortunately I couldn't see its belly, otherwise I would have a pretty good guess as to what it was.

The second one was a duck, that was about the same size as a Mallard, as it was swimming right next to one. If anything, I would say it was bigger. I have an image here, which isn't very good quality becasue it is about 700% bigger than the actual image:
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I really hope you all can help me find out what these are, becasue it would round off an EXTREMELY eventfull day. Read my blog for more information on what happened, and there is a little surprise for Kingfisher, but not an image I am afraid!

The duck looks like a gadwall to me, I cant think of what the other bird might be but ill get back to you.

Yes it does look like a Gadwall. Thanks Stoop!

Just been on the RSPB website, and I can safely say that the duck is a Gadwall. Here is the image they have supplied:

The rspb are always good for bird related things, the best perhaps.

Yes, they are very good. Are you a member of the RSPB?

I agree with the Gadwall too.
Does your other bird look anything like this



If so, it's a Reed Bunting.

Sounds like you had a corker of a day too.

I did, it was absolutely amazing! I see Reed Buntings at the River all the time, and the one I saw had the same body, and the same colours, but with white lines on the head. One almost split the head in half becasue it ran through the eye of the bird.

That black rear end on your duck, combined with general overall 'blahness', is pretty diagnostic of a Gadwall.

I didn't even need to look at what everyone else said, I knew as soon as I saw your photo.

Too bad you didn't get a photo of my namesake, but they are so exciting to see!

Kingfisher

I was caught completely by surprise with the Kingfisher. I went there again, hoping to get some photos of it, and there was hardly anything there. But, on the good note, I saw my first WINCHAT!

I think I have found the bird! I saw a similar one today. I think it is a Whinchat. It has the same back colouring of a Reed Bunting, and it was the distinctive white lines through the head. The one I saw today, luckily, was looking right at me and it had the orange breast. Here is a picture (FROM GOOGLE RICHARD!! )

Jamie....are you sure it wasn't a Stonechat? I would not have thought that any Whinchats have arrived yet.

It could be, but a Stonecaht doesn't have the white lines through the head that I saw.

The Duck is without doubt a male Gadwall.
Did the other look like this? It is quite early (would be first record for the country this spring!) for Whinchat.
   
Photo by JHJohns and courtesy of Cornwall Birding website.

I think I have found the bird! I saw a similar one today. I think it is a Whinchat. It has the same back colouring of a Reed Bunting, and it was the distinctive white lines through the head. The one I saw today, luckily, was looking right at me and it had the orange breast. Here is a picture (FROM GOOGLE RICHARD!! )

The Whinchats we get at this time of year dont usually look like the bird above. That one is a stunning summer plumage breeding adult male! We usually get the first summer birds that are a lot drabber and less clearly marked.