ML645062058

Podrobnosti k pozorování

1st-w.bird First seen with Dr. Peter Phillips from 11.15 to 11.40 in a bramble bush, just behind the second perimeter fence for the airbase. Four viewings at about 25-40 m, each time flying down behind the bush, then returning onto an arched bramble frond. Was able to view side-on, from the front and behind. The first time it flew into the scope while watching a Dartford Warbler. After the second viewing, I realised it was much bolder on the head then a female/1st-w Red-backed Shrike, with a blackish mask extending behind the eye. contrasting with a white supercilium, that separated the mask from a plain rusty- brown crown and a deep bill, which was darker on the upper mandible. The mantle and scapulars appeared to be plain warm brown, with the chestnut not as prominent as on the crown. Front-on the base colour was 'off -white' with brown scalloping on the upper breast and flanks contrasting with the all-white throat, lower breast and belly. Seen from behind the bird showed prominent all dark tertials and coverts, with pale creamy -buff fringes and a longish, chestnut-brown, upper tail particularly on the rump. Also from behind, the contrast between the chestnut brown on the mantle and nape seemed less prominent. Not a trace of grey feathering. I then posted on Clubbers Whats App as a possible Ist-w Brown Shrike. But it was then lost to view. Shortly after we were joined by the other Peter Phillips, my fellow Minsmere volunteer bird guide and I had to leave for a lunch-time appointment, I returned to the site just after 14.00 and joined about 20 other Suffolk birders who were now watching this bird on the common,about 300m to the south, by the path towards Red Lodge. Watched again over a 2 hour period, perched, feeding and in flight, sometimes flying over 100 + metres. Further observations were: (1) in flight the long tail was more obvious with short wings and very pale underwings. Perched the bird looked short- winged and long-tailed; (2) In good sunlight ,seen from behind, some faint pale scalloping on the wings and mantle was apparent. (3) tail feathers were not all of the same length and was pale under the tail. The bird did not call. Thanks to John Richardson for supplying me with these excellent photos, which formed part of our submission to the BBRC. ( This is a first UK sighting for the observer and first in this late Autumn plumage. Previous sightings of male, female and juvenile birds in China in late summer)