East Mids Millows and LSW

[Rob_D]

Just to add to the Millow Tit fun, I thought I'd post a few pics I took around N Notts/S Yorks this week. Both Marsh and Willow are reported in Clumber/Rufford/Carburton - North Notts, so I thought it might be a challenge, but the birds are pretty obliging for sunflower seeds.

First up, this one at Rufford Abbey Country Park, Notts. I think Marsh Tit - due to the beak marking. Also MTs calling nearby.



Then this one at Clumber. Pretty confident this is Marsh again due to beak marking and more p-chew calling birds.



Having heard no Willow calls at Rufford, Clumber or Carburton, I decided to visit Potteric Carr near Doncaster - well worth the trip despite the really cold and gloomy conditions. This I'm pretty sure is Willow due to the lack of beak marks - also has a very clear wing panel. Had a very good view of one bird calling there too to be very certain that I'd seen at least one Willow Tit.



Also had a nice Mealy Redpoll near the same spot, but not quick enough with the camera.

No doubt RKB can correct any that are wrong! I gotta admit, I still struggle with the cheek pattern thing, but the beak markings seem clear enough. The wing panels also look pretty clear difference on these birds at least.

Also at Rufford I got this shot of female Lesser Spot. There was a male and another female too. Kept returning to drum on this same tree.

[Deb London]

Brilliant! I love the LSW.

[Rob_D]

Thanks Deb, having spent many hours staking out LSW unsuccessfully, it was great to find a spot where after a 20 minute wait had one return to drum on the spot I'd set up my digiscope. Shame the light was bad. At least now I'm less inclined to think that LSW are invisible! Maybe that is my lesson - find the right branch of the right tree and you'll see them easily.

[Deb London]

Originally Posted by Rob_D

Thanks Deb, having spent many hours staking out LSW unsuccessfully, it was great to find a spot where after a 20 minute wait had one return to drum on the spot I'd set up my digiscope. Shame the light was bad. At least now I'm less inclined to think that LSW are invisible! Maybe that is my lesson - find the right branch of the right tree and you'll see them easily.

You make it sound so easy. Never was there such an aptly named bird!

[thebeard]

nice shots, i think they might all be marsh tits, the cheek patterning looks about right. very difficult though! also willow tits are more common at potteric carr.



hmmmm.... :P

[RKB]

Originally Posted by Rob_D

No doubt RKB can correct any that are wrong!

No need, they're all spot on (or 'bill-spot' on?!)

Originally Posted by Rob_D

I gotta admit, I still struggle with the cheek pattern thing,

If you look at the 1st and 3rd pics (first Marsh and the Willow), just in the thumbnails, look at how the Marsh is clearly darker on the rear half of the cheek patch, compared to the Willow. Both have a bit of colour towards the rear, but look at what colour it is - on the Marsh it's grey-brown and not very different to the colour on the bird's back. But on the Willow, look at the difference in colour - towrads the rear of the cheek it is a lovely warm buffy colour, and where the cheek meets the brown back there is almost a golden 'collar'. Open up the pics and see the difference, where the cheek meets the back (on the neck sides).

So, the Marsh Tit has more contrast on the cheek, between the white bit on the face and the darker bit further onto the neck. With the Willow it's more subtle, and a very gradual change. But the colours on the neck sides/rear of the cheek are also different - on Marsh it's an 'orrible brown, blending onto the back. On Willow, the colour is a lovely golden buff, contrasting with the colour on the bird's back.

Easy peasy.

Wing panel is also a stonker on the Willow, whereas no real trace of one on the Marsh. Not much difference in the caps though - you couldn't really call either 'glossy'.