ML643357664

Observation details

First-winter male(?- a bright bird with a striking warm rufous rump in flight and very contrasting and bright features) seen well but briefly at a distance of approx 15 meters. The bird flew into hemlock/umbellifer and was clearly perched but my camera failed to focus between the hemlock strains. A bright first-winter bird and clearly an autumn emberiza, probably first-winter male with rich warm ground colour and contrasting white tips to the median coverts which were dark centred . The greater coverts were more buffed tipped but clearly pale tipped. Typically the crown was peaked, with an erect crest appearance and the face showed the clear pale ear covert mark. Strikingly the flanks were reddish brown streaked. The bird was calling, a typical single note high pitched 'tick'- sound recorded and confirmed by Magnus Robb by typical shorter descending arm to sonogram compared to longer ascending arm as shown in attached Sonograms and recording.