Which flocks of birds (if any) are more likely to be hiding something 'good'?

[Deb London]

I've decided to improve my birdwatching skills. Recently I have seen rarer species of geese within a flock of Graylags, and a Mediterranean Gull with the more common Black-headed Gulls. Today I read that a Green-winged Teal had been seen in Epping Forest, and when I researched this bird I realised that I'd probably have missed this if it was with a flock of Common Teal (although I don't know that it was with others).

Are there specific flocks of birds that are more likely to be hiding a good 'un? Maybe some species are more tolerant and readily form mixed flocks. Or is the key to spotting an uncommon species amongst others simply to study every bird closely? Any tips anyone?

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Deb London

Are there specific flocks of birds that are more likely to be hiding a good 'un? Maybe some species are more tolerant and readily form mixed flocks. Or is the key to spotting an uncommon species amongst others simply to study every bird closely? Any tips anyone?

Its best to check every flock for different looking birds. Usually rare birds are found with species similar to them. For example a green winged teal will most likely be with common teal or a rustic bunting would be with reed buntings. Which in many ways makes it easier to spot subtle differences. You should try to ID every single bird that you see. They often stick out, especially in flight. I do a lot of seawatching where birds can be 800-900 meters away so you learn flight patterns, sizes in comparison to other species, plumage features like wing bars, tail bands, colour etc. Its best just to keep practicing and not get complacent there could always be a rarity lurking anywhere.

[artdemole]

Tis' Known that at gull roosts on Chew Valley Lake, Mediterranean Gulls are with the normal gulls.

[captaincarot]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Its best just to keep practicing and not get complacent there could always be a rarity lurking anywhere.

never a truer word spoken, the pied billed grebe on hollingworth lake is one of the best examples of this, one of the local patch watchers had seen it previously taken a brief distant look and thought oh it's only a little grebe,

wader flocks are usually good for the odd rarity, but they're also sanity destroying. just when you think you're getting somewhere they're bound to spook and you're back to square one.

[Deb London]

Thanks all for the advice? No short cuts then.

[RoyW]

No, no short cuts!

Also, don't try and teach yourself to look for specific species (like Med Gulls in with Black-headed Gulls). You should always be looking for anything that looks different for some reason, rather than looking for features that you know are shown by another species. Most 'different' individuals will turn out to be within the normal variation of the common bird (which you will learn this with time), and some will be unusual varients but still the common species. If you look for all diferences, and then critically examine any bird that looks odd you learn more - and shouldn't overlook a rarer bird, even if it's one that you can't identify at the time (you then need to take good field notes and photos!).

P.S. The Connaught Green-winged Teal has been associating with, and displaying with, Common Teal.

[Deb London]

Thanks Roy, I shall endeavour to put all that into practice.

However, up until now, my way of doing things has been the other way round. It has helped me to some extent. Without learning about and then looking for the Med Gull I wouldn't have been as interested in gulls. Now I will watch them and take notice of variations in plumage like I never have done before.

The key for me has been to go with any spark of enthusiasm I have had. I'm quite level-headed and by being targeted, it gives me the drive I need to get out there. But when I come back without spotting the bird I went to look for (as is often the case) I never get disheartened.

Examples. I went to see a Woodcock, I heard an owl. I go to see the LSW, I see a Woodcock. I'd already learned enough about the Woodcock to know it's that. I go on the off chance to spot a Ringed Plover or whatever, it's my knowledge of the flight pattern of a woodpecker that helps me ID a Little Owl in flight. It all ties up quite nicely for me.

The key to my enjoyment is not to get bogged down with species lists and all that sort of thing. If I thought my data would be of use someday, I might consider this. But it won't be because I'm not that experienced and it's a totally unscientific way of recording changes (imho).

[RoyW]

There is, of course, nothing wrong with learning the features of a bird (or anything else) that you think you might have a chance of seeing,and if you do it will no doubt help you to pick out and identify that species. Just don't make the mistake of looking only for those features - or (as a theoretical example) you could over look a Bonaparte's Gull in a flock of Black-headed Gulls because you were only looking for the heavier bill and masked appearance of a Mediterranean Gull!

Also, as far as records go, even if you only have a few records they can be valuable when added to other peoples observations. I would always suggest that anyone regularly watching wildlife should contact their local county recorders and find out what sort of records they want to receive. For example, all records of three species you mention (Woodcock, LSW & Med Gull) would be of interest to the London Natural History Society, and most other bird recording groups in the south-east.

Your own enjoyment takes precedence, but even a few 'random' records can often be useful from anyone who is prepared to send them to recorders.

[Deb London]

Originally Posted by RoyW

There is, of course, nothing wrong with learning the features of a bird (or anything else) that you think you might have a chance of seeing,and if you do it will no doubt help you to pick out and identify that species. Just don't make the mistake of looking only for those features - or (as a theoretical example) you could over look a Bonaparte's Gull in a flock of Black-headed Gulls because you were only looking for the heavier bill and masked appearance of a Mediterranean Gull!

Also, as far as records go, even if you only have a few records they can be valuable when added to other peoples observations. I would always suggest that anyone regularly watching wildlife should contact their local county recorders and find out what sort of records they want to receive. For example, all records of three species you mention (Woodcock, LSW & Med Gull) would be of interest to the London Natural History Society, and most other bird recording groups in the south-east.

Your own enjoyment takes precedence, but even a few 'random' records can often be useful from anyone who is prepared to send them to recorders.

Ohhh, don't get me started on recording, LOL. A simple little thing like a beetle! Well it wasn't. I asked a couple of people and eventually found out it's GiGL that I should have reported (in this case, the reasonably scientific) data to. But by this time I've contacted the leader of a local LWT group and sent the records there. So I went on to use the WHIMBY tool or whatever it's called, to see if these records were accepted, as I don't want to duplicate. And it just doesn't work. Or it didn't when I checked yesterday.

I will persevere with GiGL as I really don't know enough about the LNHS to be submitting records there.