11:30 to 13:30 today -
No sign of the pale 'super mealy' (I like that term) for me but a photographer there had seen it earlier and got a decent shot so it is still in the area. Also another chap saw what he was pretty sure was it before it flew.
There were around 6 or 7 birds coming to the feeders while I was there. My experience of Redpolls other than Lessers is a single bird that was never given a definite ID (Marsh lane, Warks, a few years ago) but I believe one of yesterdays not so obvious Mealies was present. I am going send some photos and request Ian's opinion of it.
I wonder if they have some time Ian or Nic could give us a few pointers on why yesterdays birds were ID'd as Mealy? I'm sure it would be very useful to many.
Gareth
This may be of some use http://birdingfrontiers.com/
& http://oxfordbirder.blogspot.com/2011/02/mealy-mahem.html
also http://www.uk400clubonline.co.uk/separation-of-lesser-and-mealy-redpoll/
This one... (not so much ;-) http://www.freewebs.com/punkbirder/rolloverview.htm
(Badger)
'My knowledge of and confusion about redpolls has increased in leaps and bounds since yesterday.'
ReplyDeleteDitto. There's certainly a lot of literature out there if you look for it.
I'm going to have to look at my photos again another day with a fresh set of eyes, still quite confident I got one but not too sure..
I like the Punk birder approach to mealy redpolls: "Needs to have a bit of white on it. But don't worry too much, no-one's going to give a sh*t"! ;-)
ReplyDeleteGareth, it would be great if you could post your photos on the blog so that we can all take a look and have a go at playing "Spot the Mealy". Ian or Nic could then come along and give us the correct answers!
ReplyDelete