ML644111462

Detalles de la observación

*very rare in fall - tricky silent Empid that still warrants full scrutiny. On beach in alders, somewhat midway between two campsites. Initially noticed as small 'bird' that sallied for a bug and dropped down into the alders as we were walking on the beach. Presumed to be kinglet at first glance, then upon arrival noticed the bird perched low and obscured in alders. Tried getting better looks by pishing which did attract 2 RCKI. Direct comparison with these made me assume HAFL. Better looks then revealed the bird to look odd, very much like ALFL/LEFL. Based on the size alone, my gut feeling said LEFL, presumed to be at least of some value given the comparison with the kinglets. To actually clinch this bird purely based on these pics seems less easily said than done, especially with my limited experience finding silent empids in fall in an area out of the expected timeframe for any empid really. The bill on this bird seems large, but I strongly suspect the wet crown to highly accentuate this, and can't exclude any of the two really. The eye-ring is pronounced, but also not very wide, which is fine for both I presume based on compairing photos and talking with friends. Emargination on P6 seems to be visible which would prove the bird to be LEFL, but I have a hard time counting the primary tips going inward, and thus can't confirm if it's P7 or P6 that shows the emargination. Unequal spacing between the 2nd longest primary tip and next one going inward, compared with the distance of the following pair, seems to point away from WIFL, the final option it technically can be (although this bird, besides that, is very contrasting in many ways, and I have deliberately not messed with the white balance or colour grading. Personal observation of behaviour and size, together with the analysis of the photo, make me conclude this bird is a LEFL, but I am still eager to receive thoughts as it would be great to also have some of the wing formula on the photo. The latter I think, is going to be difficult however. Thanks to all friends consulted and helped me writing up these thoughts!