Any ideas?

grouse · #1 (**permalink**) 06-05-2009, 10:40 PM

Hi All

Anyone know's what these are? I think there willow warblers!
Taken with my camera phone so not too good a picture! Mother with two chicks!

Regards

Adam Cheeseman · #2 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 08:36 AM

Looks more like a hunched up reed warbler, but that could be down to the photo' quality. When did you take them? Habitat?

Cheers,

Adam

RoyW · #3 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Looks more like a hunched up reed warbler, but that could be down to the photo' quality. When did you take them? Habitat?

They do look more like Reed Warbler - or perhaps slightly odd looking Chiffchaffs. I would expect young Willow Warblers to be brighter yellow below and show a pale supercilium (stripe over the eye). Reed Warblers almost exclusivly breed in reeds though - which doesn't appear to be the habitat shown in the photo.
To answer Adams first question - the photos were taken on 13th June 2008 (it's in the photos EXIF data!).

Roy.

Adam Cheeseman · #4 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyW

Reed Warblers almost exclusivly breed in reeds though - which doesn't appear to be the habitat shown in the photo.
To answer Adams first question - the photos were taken on 13th June 2008 (it's in the photos EXIF data!).
Roy.

Fledgling Reed Warblers have a habit of hanging around in denser scrubby vegetation when being fed by adults. At least they do here at Bedfont Lakes. The date seems a bit early for young of this size though as the females arrive much later than males.

Cheers,

Adam

grouse · #5 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 12:12 PM

Hi All!

The picture was taken last year, and they were in a reed bed! It was taken at the Isle of Grain LNG project in Kent.

Regards

RoyW · #6 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Fledgling Reed Warblers have a habit of hanging around in denser scrubby vegetation when being fed by adults. At least they do here at Bedfont Lakes. The date seems a bit early for young of this size though as the females arrive much later than males.

I agree that young Reed Warblers don't necessarily stay in the reeds, and are often in vegetation nearby, so as grouse says that the were in a reedbed, I'd say that Adams instinct was correct and they are young Reed Warblers.

Roy.