ID help please - UK

[Aspire]

Thank you to you all! I really appreciate your opinions, just wish I'd got a better pic.

It definitely wasn't a Bearded Tit, I certainly wish it was! That would be a new bird for the site and indeed the county! It wasn't calling unfortunately. I wasn't sure whether a juv bird would be, especially at this time of the year? I don't know.

I think I'll have to except the pics aren't good enough to be sure and will just have to try again.

Thanks again for all the help, I'm glad I found this website and will explore more of it soon.

[Aspire]

Originally Posted by Picidae

It's a Wren. Cetti's have a much more rufous mantle and cold grey underparts. Bill is different shape too. The bird in the pic has rufous restricted to the tail (which is actually barred if you look closely) and to the wings with warm buff underbelly (as in Wren!)

Whoops sorry Picidae, your post wasn't there when I started my last one. I was hoping someone would look and easily see those kind of differences that weren't obvious to me.
I'll be trying again for the Cetti pics then!
Thanks very much.

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by Aspire

I'll be trying again for the Cetti pics then!
Thanks very much.

Well all I can say is Good luck - I've been trying for years and still haven't managed to get a decent capture of these skulkers! (btw juv. Cettis are very very similar to adults and even more so after September (ie. post juvenile moult) bar some variable moult limits in the coverts, so almost impossible to age/sex unless in the hand. At this time of year, this summer's juveniles would be referred to as being 1w/1cy since they are no longer in juvenile plumage)

[Aspire]

Thank you, I know very little about this species. The bird is a first for the reserve and was only discovered recently when the ringing group caught it in their nets. They described it as a juv, so I've just been calling it that but hadn't actually managed to find what the differences were as my books don't show a juv. Thanks for the info.

I'm just hoping to get a record shot of it. Have you any idea if it is likely to be calling at all? I've been listening to their call on a cd in the hope of hearing and recognising it at the reserve.

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by Aspire

I'm just hoping to get a record shot of it. Have you any idea if it is likely to be calling at all? I've been listening to their call on a cd in the hope of hearing and recognising it at the reserve.

Cetti's will be calling now as they mark their winter territories. Females tend to do a short explosive 'chink' often repeated if alarmed. Males will give the full repertoire of explosive bursts mixed with rapid wren-like warbles. Juveniles males tend to manage a rather faltering version of the adult males. The calls are very loud and once you've positively ID's a Cettis it will be hard to miss the next time!

[solus]

I have heard Cetti's Warblers singing in most months of the year - once you've heard it I reckon you'll know! It (the sound) kind of "explodes" from cover and is pretty loud. I think it was Bill Oddie who described it as saying "Look at Me!! Cetti! Cetti!". Not so easy to see, mind. Even when you have the sound apparently pinned down to a particular bush - there's never a bird to be seen!

And yes, your photo is a Wren.

[Aspire]

Thank you to you both, you've been a great help.