As I was up in Manchester visiting my sister, I decided to drag her, her 4 kids and my mother on a walk at the local park to try and impart a bit of bird ID knowledge. I wasn't expecting much, but best to start off easy! That we did, with House Sparrow, Magpie and Great Tit in abundance. However, it all became a bit more exciting with a pair of Goosander and Goldeneye floating next to each other! Next came a Kestrel hovering metres away which had the kids (and me) jumping up and down in excitement, it then landed to pose nicely for us. A few Long-tailed Tit for good for my mother who only likes 'birds that are exciting to look at' and a pair of Bullfinch were welcome as always. Two Redwing were still hanging about and an unusual bird was spotted - my mystery bird. I'm still thinking about this bird every day, as I still haven't been able to ID it!
If you didn't catch the
thread over at Birdforum, it was around Robin size, maybe slightly larger, with a deep red (possibly reddy brown chest), grey back and head and a white flash under the tail. The closest I've come to it colouring wise is a Subalpine/Dartford Warbler and a bird a kind gentleman messaged me with, a Red-throated Thrush, which is *incredibly* similar to the bird I saw. Any further thoughts on the matter would be much appreciated!
Trip list: 29
Year list: 123
Lifers of year list: 9 (+ mystery bird?!)
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My first notion that this trip might be a little more exciting than expected! |
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Aww, snoozy snoozy Goosander |
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Hello sleepy Goldeneye |
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I love the tail of a Kestrel |
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The kids liked this Great Crested Grebe |
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Goosander |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuI_TkL33naavAiSfAH4d4vBAZp513exqB_q8hKID0BNgvKWAWeMsx594fIZpM5d5rpbuiEx7iPM4VrqElsXnhztsw_mwK0IZhGJSWNF4gLB2-VCz9upKfC3c3PqnXSayTeNGoHFoYZ3Sa/s400/IMG_1606.JPG) |
Grey Heron freaking out at my nephews and nieve walking past |
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Good to see I encouraged some birdwatching! |
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Long-tailed Tit |
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Goosygoosygander |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYidDpZ_czZx63Iijryx3NhEKjOQoMR7sRKvQsKsPL7lk0AiKs9wp6XC2VQfh7hmrD03OXQKVz1XJzxyMBhkqPpCP5NQahJJe9QYe6y6dfpA-UzsR9Qimw-N2MRan-CdM-TqlugG14fOc/s400/IMG_1622.JPG) |
Where I saw the mystery bird. Incredibly helpful. |