can you help

[josie dace]

I have noticed a bird in my garden I havnt seen before its the same size as a sparrow but sleeker and very fast it dose not stop flying it takes the seed and its gone very hard to see,its black and as striking white markings, dose eny one know what this could be.
Josie

[ron1863]

Hi Josie and welcome to WAB. Don't know what the bird can be but someone will let you know shortly

[JeffH]

Josie, welcome to WAB. The only black and white bird of that size that I can think of is a Pied Flycatcher but it's most unlikely to be one of those at this time of year.

Tell us a little more please - is it ground feeding or is it taking seed from a feeder? what sort of "striking white markings" do you mean - ie. where on it's body? and which part of the country are you in?

Jeff

[josie dace]

I am in warrington. The markings are on the wings and under the body with what I could see. It feeds from the seeder but dose not stop flying its very fast gone in seconds. Iwill have to keep watching to try to see more
josie

[rlchew]

Hi Josie

Welcome to WAB.

Mmmm .... black and white birds .... Pied Flycatcher, Pied Wagtail and Magpie .... but none of these sound likely.

Richard

[yorky]

Certainly not a Pied Flycatcher not at this time of year, and anyway they are insect eaters. Pied Wagtails don't feed on feeders and Magpie? No chance.
Without a picture it's difficult, but would suggest a Brambling. At this time of year, the odd birds come into gardens, often with Chaffinches.

[naturelover]

hi josie welcome,i dont know what your bird is,might be an escapee,a finch or something they are very quick.

[agrumpycow]

Is there a chance it could be a long-tailed tit?
have a look on the first pic on this link British Garden Birds - Long-tailed Tit it looks mainly black from that angle and they are quite fast from my experience.

[JeffH]

Josie, rather than have us all telling you what it's not I suggest the best thing to do is for you to watch out for it, try to gather a bit more information and then come back with a more detailed description.

As it's clearly (from your description to date) a bird that doesn't hang around, I'd suggest that each time you see it you concentrate your attention on a particular feature and then make a note of it.

For instance, perhaps on the next visit make a note of the colour of its bill. Then focus on its eye - is there a stripe or mark near it and if so where; above the eye, below it or through it? And what about its tail - is it in proportion to its body (like a Sparrow say) or does it have a particularly long tail (like a Pied Wagtail or Long-tailed Tit - two of the birds already mentioned/discounted). What colour is its head and does it have any markings on it? I'm sure you get the idea.

With fast moving birds it can be difficult to get an overall picture in one's mind of all the identifying characteristics in a single (or even repeated) fleeting viewing(s) and I find that trying to break things down in this way can be hepful in building up a description.

Give it a go and let us know how you get on, as we all now want to know what it is as much as you do

Good Luck

Jeff

[oxycera]

This might seem ridiculous but could it be a Coal Tit?

[josie dace]

Jeff, a Grumpy cow, Naturelover, Yorky, Rrichard, thanks for all your replies. Jeff I will take your advice and try to see more. I have bought a telescope so once I learn how to put the lens in hopefully I can get a closer look will come back whith information as soon as I can . saw my very first lesser spotted woodpecker a few days ago it was very exciting he has been back twice since
THANKS Josie