Bird of Passage ? Dawros. ID anyone?

Durnish

A friend sent me this pic of a strange bird squawking out on the Dawros Peninsula, Donegal, last month.
She took it on a mobile phone so quality and zoom are not great but the bird outline can be seen quite clearly.

stevensi

From that pic it is almost impossible to make out what it is. If my arm was twisted and going on the habitat I'd had have a stab at a stonechat as it seems to have a dark head but again that is only a stab in the dark! Sorry can't be of more help

Durnish

Thanks anyways. I know it's a difficult one, espec with no easy scale object in view. I dread being shown mobile phone pics, myself.

Angus Og

Certainly looks like a stonechat, but did she hear the alarm call maybe? If she doesn't know much about birds she may not have realised that she was hearing the stonechat's alarm call.

Durnish

My friend would have seen and heard stonechats quite a lot. I wonder if it was Wheatear or even a ringed plover, as both of those are numerous and nesting out on Dawros Head.

Cul a cnoic

Hello Durnish, my guess would be a Wheatear.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/w/wheatear/videos.aspx

Durnish

I am thinking that as well. They do present a orangey front, rather than a noctilucent cloud, and also have that distinctive tail fan seen in the outline.

Cul a cnoic

Durnish wrote: »

I am thinking that as well. They do present a orangey front, rather than a noctilucent cloud, and also have that distinctive tail fan seen in the outline.

Oh, very good description there, I do believe you are correct with the noctilucent effect. Hadn't thought of that.....

Durnish

Comet Wee Tear,
I shall mail my friend immediatment!

Cul a cnoic

Durnish wrote: »

Comet Wee Tear,
I shall mail my friend immediatment!

:D