Your help again please

[lastcornishman]

Hi all just like to check on these guys please L.

[Ferret]

The duck is a mixed up Mallard, the other I think is a Water Pipit.

Ferret

[Jonners]

Hello LC. I don't know what your duck is, but I reckon the other bird is a Rock Pipit - smudgy underparts, grey-brown upperparts.

[htcdude]

The Mallard is a mix of some sort as said.

I agree the pipit is a Rock Pipit, has darker plumage, 'smudgier' belly and whenever I've seen Rock Pipit they're always walking around seaweed or the like

[RobS]

Heinz 57 and Rock Pipit for me - it's on a rock so it must be one! (Greyer tones than Meadow and not right for Water, even though there is clearly water around )

I assume we have discounted Collared Flycatcher?

Rob S

[htcdude]

Originally Posted by RobS

I assume we have discounted Collared Flycatcher?

Rob S

I was tempted

[Ferret]

I am quite happy to go with Rock Pipit if that is what every body else thinks as I only see a few Rock Pipits each year and have only seen Water pipit on a couple of occasions so I do not think I am any sort of expert on either species, but saying that I will give my reasons for plumping for Water pipit in the first place.


So here goes: streaking on breast sparser and cleaner than I would expect for Rock Pipit and the underlying breast looks very pale to me, in fact the whole bird looks quite pale and grey to me and the streaking on the back is very indistinct. It has a prominent pale Supercilium and distinct wing bars both Water Pipit traits, the legs also look quite pale and Collins Bird Guide states ‘leg colour variable, often quite light in winter’ for Water Pipit.

Well there it is for what its worth.

Ferret

[Dogghound]

Rock pipit

A water pipit has a more defined supercilium, this bird has a grey rump, water pipits have brown rumps. The streaking is also more defined in water pipits.

[Ferret]

Thanks Doghound

Ferret